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Master Sommelier Theory 2025 > CA: Napa, Sonoma, Northern > Flashcards

CA: Napa, Sonoma, Northern Flashcards

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1
Q

List 5 producers Sonoma Coast

A

Hirsch
Littorai
Peay
Aubert
Ceritas
Marcassin

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2
Q

List 3 RRV producers

A

Joseph Swan
Rocchioli
Williams Selyem
Kosta Browne
Cirq
Kistler

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3
Q

List 2 producers Knights Valley

A

Peter Michael

Anakota
Melka “Mekerra”
Galerie “Latro”
Morlet Family Vyds “Mon Chevalier”

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4
Q

In which larger AVA is Fort Ross Seaview located?

A

Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County

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5
Q

Which AVAs are included within Sonoma Valley?

A

Carneros
Bennet Valley
Moon Mountain
Sonoma Mountain

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6
Q

What AVA is inside Russian River Valley, and what is it’s soil type?

A

Green Valley, goldridge soil - sandy loam

Coolest area of the RRV - proximity to the Pacific + holds fog longer than the rest of the valley

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7
Q

What kind of soil is in both Alexander and Knights Valleys?

A

Gravel

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8
Q

What is the warmest AVA in Sonoma County?

A

Knights Valley

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9
Q

Body of water south of Carneros?

A

San Pablo Bay

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10
Q

Between which mountains is the Sonoma Valley

A

Mayacamas and Sonoma Mountains

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11
Q

List 3 grape species native to the US

A

Vitis labrusca
Vitis rotundifolia
Vitis aestivalis

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12
Q

What was the first vintage of Harlan?

A

1990, released in 1996 for $65 a bottle - a lot for the time

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13
Q

Where in Napa Valley can fog roll in from Sonoma?

A

San Pablo Bay to the south and the Chalk Hill Gap to the north.

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14
Q

Describe the diurnal swings in Napa

A

The biggest drop, up to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, is seen in the north around the Calistoga area, whereas down south the difference averages 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

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15
Q

At what elevation (approximately) is the fog line in Napa?

A

1400 feet

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16
Q

Difference in climate between Mayacamas and Vaca mountains?

A

the eastern-facing slopes of the Mayacamas enjoy the gentle morning sun while the western-facing Vacas bake in the afternoon heat

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17
Q

What are Napa’s 3 bedrock soils:

A

Great Valley sequence (marine sediment)

Franciscan Assemblage (or Franciscan Complex: greywacke sandstone, shales, etc)

Napa Volcanics (also known as Sonoma Volcanics).

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18
Q

Notable vineyards Los Carneros AVA:

A

Hudson, Hyde, Poseidon, Sangiacomo (Sonoma), Stanly Ranch, Truchard

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19
Q

Important producers and vineyards Howell Mountain AVA

A

Dunn, La Jota

Cade, Dunn, La Jota

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20
Q

Important producers and vineyards Stag’s Leap AVA

A

Pine Ridge, Shafer, Stag’s Leap Cellars, Cliff Lede, Chimney Rock

Fay, Futo 5500, Hartwell, Pine Ridge, Poetry, Regusci, S.L.V., Shafer, Silverado, Sinskey, Steltzner, Wappo Hill

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21
Q

Important producers and vineyards Mt Veeder AVA

A

Mayacamas, Mt Brave, Lokoya, O’Shaughnessy

Abel 1833, Hess, Lagier Meredith, Mayacamas, Progeny, Scaggs, Sky

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22
Q

Important producers and vineyards Atlas Peak

A

Antinori’s project is here, Kongsgaard, Au Sommet (Heidi Barrett), also grow here: Scribe, Ashes & Diamonds, Turley

Antica, Au Sommet, Kongsgaard, Stagecoach, Water Ranch

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23
Q

Important producers and vineyards Rutherford

A

Freemark Abbey, Heitz, Inglenook, Quintessa

Beckstoffer Georges III, Beckstoffer Melrose, Booth Bella Oaks, Inglenook, Frog’s Leap, Long Meadow Ranch, Quintessa, Raymond, Round Pond, St. Supéry, Staglin, Sycamore, Trailside

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24
Q

Important producers and vineyards Oakville

A

Dalla Valle, Groth, Peter Michael (Au Paradis), Rudd, Paradigm, Bond, Heitz (Martha’s), Opus One, Harlan, Robert Mondavi

Backus, Beckstoffer To-Kalon, Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper, Dalla Valle,Far Niente, Groth, Harlan, MacDonald, Martha’s Vineyard, Oakville Ranch, Opus One, Rudd, Silver Oak, St. Eden, Tench, To-Kalon, Vine Hill Ranch, Weitz

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25
Q

Important producers and vineyards Spring Mountain

A

Philip Togni, Stony Hill, Barnett, Cain

Barnett, Behrens, Cain, Marston, Newton, Pride, Ritchie Creek, School House, Smith-Madrone, Spring Mountain, Stony Hill, Togni

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26
Q

Important producers and vineyards St Helena

A

Chappellet (P Hill), Colgin (P Hill), Corison (Kronos), Spottswoode

Aida, Beckstoffer Bourn, Beckstoffer Las Piedras, Beringer, Cappella, Charles Krug, Crocker, Edge Hill, Forman, Grace, Hayne, Heitz, Hourglass, Kayli Morgan, Kronos, Lewelling, Library, Madrone, Phelps, Quella, Spottswoode, Turley, Tychson Hill, Vineyard 29

27
Q

Important producers and vineyards Yountville

A

Dominus, Gemstone

Gemstone, Ghost Block, Grgich, Kapcsándy, Napanook, Paradise Hills, Sleeping Lady

28
Q

Important producers and vineyards Diamond Mountain District

A

Diamond Creek, Schramsberg

Constant, Dyer, Gravelly Meadow, Jasud, Lake, Red Rock Terrace, Schramsberg, Volcanic Hill

29
Q

Important producers and vineyards Oak Knoll

A

Lewis, Ashes & Diamonds, Heitz,

Aldo’s, Blackbird, Hendry Ranch, Trefethen

30
Q

Important producers and vineyards Calistoga

A

Larkmead, Araujo, Ch Montelena

Chateau Montelena, Eisele, Frediani, Jericho Canyon, Lamb, Larkmead, Luvisi, Three Palms, Tofanelli

31
Q

Important producers and vineyards Coombsville

A

Paul Hobbs, Favia, Palmaz

Arcadia, Caldwell, Dead Fred, Haynes, Judge, Meteor, Moore, Palmaz

32
Q

List 3 producers on Pritchard Hill

A

Colgin, David Arthur, Ovid, Continuum, Chappellet, Bryant

33
Q

AVAs within Mendocino AVA:

A

Anderson Valley
Potter Valley
Redwood Valley
McDowell Valley
Yorkville HIghlands
Cole Ranch
Mendocino Ridge (part of)

34
Q

Other AVAs in Mendocino County:

A

Pine Mountain Cloverdale Peak
Dos Rios
Covelo
Eagle Peak Mendocino County

35
Q

What is the smallest AVA in America?

A

Cole Ranch, less than .25 square miles

36
Q

Mendocino’s wine regions are at the confluence of which two rivers?

A

Russian River, Navarro River in the southern portion of Mendocino County

37
Q

Describe the climate of Anderson Valley?

A

one of CA’s coolest- ocean air and fog come inland along the Navarro river, steep hills

38
Q

Mendocino Ridge AVA - at what elevation does the appellation start?

A

vineyards must be at least 1,200 feet above sea level. zinfandel thrives here

39
Q

What is the most important AVA in Lake County?

A

Clear Lake. Inland, but the lake buffers the hot temperatures

sub AVAs: High Valley, Big Valley District

Also oldest freshwater lake in North America

40
Q

Napa Cabernet vintages 2000-2022: worst vintages? Why?

A

2000- cold october rain, small harvest

2003- uneven ripeness, austere and tannic

2011- rainy harvest, variable quality

2020- fires in Napa, very small red wine harvest. warm dry season, so whites were good. also covid

41
Q

Napa Cabernet vintages 2000-2022: best vintages? Why?

A

Aside from 2000, 2003, and 2011, all great vintages

2019 was excellent, long growing season

42
Q

2021 Napa Vintage?

A

Moderate summer temperatures, minimal fires, but drought in the growing season reduced yields. no extreme heat so wines may be lighter. the fruit quality was great though

43
Q

CA Pinot Noir vintages 2010 - 2021- worst vintages?

A

2020* - central and southern california had good years, fires up north

2017: SLH fine, Spring rains, warm summer, September heat wave yielded wines that are showy up front, but mostly lack structure

2015: large crop, tannic wines

2012: large crop, tannic wines

2011*: rain at harvest, lighter body, uneven quality. SLH ok

  • worst
44
Q

CA Pinot Noir vintages 2010-2021 - best?

A

2021: 91-94: Windy weather at bloom led to a small crop set, then another warm, drought-influenced season produced small berries with thick skins; the early buzz on the vintage is one of concentration and structure

2019: 95 A benchmark vintage for California Pinot, with wines showing power, finesse and the structure for cellaring; moderate temperatures and an even-keeled season led to a leisurely harvest, while crop size was on the lower side

45
Q

What are Bond’s 5 ‘Grand Crus’?

A

all labelled Napa Valley AVA:

Quella - in eastern side of Valley, near Spring Valley

Melbury - in eastern side of Valley, close to Pritchard Hill

St Eden - in Vaca mountains, just north of Oakville crossroad

Vecina - western foothills of Oakville

Pluribus - Spring Mountain

46
Q

Who planted Napa’s first vineyard? When?

A

George Yount, in 1838/9.

In 1836, General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, for whom the town of Vallejo is named, awarded the Rancho Caymus—a nearly 12,000-acre stretch of land that included much of what is now southern Napa Valley—to his former employee George Calvert Yount. Yount would go on to make vinous history when he planted Napa’s first vineyard, a small patch of Mission vines, in 1838 or 1839.

47
Q

When did phylloxera hit Napa?

A

1880s-1890s. It reduced planted area from 15,000 acres to 3,000 acres

Again in the late 80s: Massive flooding during the winter of 1986 spread phylloxera throughout the valley.

48
Q

Which white wine won the 1976 Judgement of Paris?

A

Ch. Montalena Chardonnay, 1973 vintage

Chalone Vineyard 1974 was 4th place

49
Q

Which red wine won the 1976 Judgment of Paris?

A

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars SLV 1973

Ridge Montebello 1971 was 5th place

50
Q

Dalla Valle - where is it located? Top wines produced?

A

Oakville

Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa $300 retail
Maya, Napa - bdx blend, $600 retail

51
Q

Harlan - where is it located? Top wines produced?

A

Oakville

Harlan Estate, bdx blend, $1500 retail
The Maiden, bdx blend, $400 retail

52
Q

Screaming Eagle- where is it located? Wines produced?

A

Oakville

Screaming Eagle Cabernet $3-$4k retail
The Flight - Second Flight $1000 retail
Sauvignon Blanc - $4000 retail

53
Q

Colgin - where is it located? Wines produced?

A

St Helena - Pritchard Hill area

Colgin IX Estate Red - bdx blend, around $700 retail
Colgin Jubilation - bdx blend, $280 retail

54
Q

Opus One- where is it located? Wines produced?

A

Oakville

Opus One - bdx blend, $460 retail
Overture - bdx blend, $160 retail

55
Q

Diamond Creek - where is it located? Single vineards? Wines produced?

A

Diamond Mountain District

Gravelly Meadow - ancient river bed, pebbles/ gravel, porous soil. $300 retail

Red Rock Terrace- iron rich, rocky soils $300 retail

Volcanic Hill- volcanic ash, light “fluffy” soil $300 retail

Lake Vineyard- smallest. gravelly, well drained. $700 retail

also make a 3 vineyard blend - $500 retail

56
Q

What is the highest mountain in the Mayacamas?

A

Mount Saint Helena, shared by Napa and Lake counties

57
Q

Describe the distribution of different soil types in Sonoma. 5 main types?

A

generally more granitic to the west of the San Andreas Fault, and more varied to the east

Sonoma Volcanics: ash deposits from old volcanoes further north

Franciscan Complex: ocean floor deposits + rocks

Wilson Grove Formation: marine sandstone

Goldridge: sandy loam, along the Wilson Grove Formation

Altamont: also part of Wilson Grove, reddish, more clay content

58
Q

What was the first AVA in Sonoma? The most recent?

A

Sonoma Valley in 1981

West Sonoma Coast in 2022

59
Q

What is the most well known producer of Bennet Valley AVA?

A

(in Sonoma Valley)

Matanzas Creek

60
Q

Describe the climate of Bennet Valley AVA?

A

in Sonoma Valley, plantings between 400 and 1,100 feet. The elevation, along with exposure to the Petaluma Gap through Crane Canyon, results in a climate that is cooler than that of many other areas of the Sonoma Valley. Soils are volcanic—eroded lava and tuff—though greater alluvial content is encountered at lower sites

known for sauvignon blanc!

61
Q

Which Sonoma AVA lies almost directly west of Mount Veeder AVA? What is the elevation there?

A

Moon Mounain, in Sonoma Valley. The AVA extends from 400 up to about 2,700 feet in elevation. The fog sits in between, at around 800 feet, creating dramatically different growing conditions depending on elevation.

62
Q

What are Verité’s 3 bottlings?

A

La Joie is based on Cabernet Sauvignon,
La Muse on Merlot, and
Le Désir on Cabernet Franc.

all around $400 retail

63
Q

AVAs within Solano County?

A

Solano County Green Valley
Suisun Valley

Master Sommelier Theory 2025 (57 decks)

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