California Flashcards
The major winegrowing regions of California are divided into what 4 large AVAs?
- North Coast
- Central Coast
- South Coast
- Sierra Foothills
Where are most of the fine wine districts located in CA?
near the coast, where fog and cool sea breezes mitigate temperatures and create a large diurnal swing from warm days to cool nights
The inland __, source of 75% of the state’s wine, is not considered an AVA
Central Valley
“Meritage,” a term trademarked by the Meritage Alliance, is used by producers to indicate-
a premium blend in which no grape accounts for more than 90% of the wine (may be red/white, but must be from Bordeaux varieties)
Zinfandel, thought to be California’s native son before Carole Meredith’s research definitively linked it to Croatia’s __
Crljenak Kastelanski
The North Coast AVA includes the counties of-
Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, Lake, Solano and Marin
Approximately _% of California’s vineyard acreage
4
What are Napa’s 16 AVAs?
- Calistoga
- Diamond Mountain District
- Chiles Valley District
- Spring Mountain District
- Howell Mountain District
- St. Helena
- Rutherford
- Oakville
- Yountville
- Mount Veeder
- Stag’s Leap District
- Atlas Peak
- Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley
- Los Carneros
- Coombsville
- Wild Horse Valley
Where does Napa stretch from?
northward from the San Pablo Bay past the principal towns of Napa and St. Helena to Calistoga
Napa’s width narrows from what?
from 5 miles wide at the town of Napa to 1 at Calistoga
Napa temperatures warm perceptibly as one travels __
north
Cool ocean air funnels through the __ into the San Pablo Bay and upward through the valley
Petaluma Gap
__, the southernmost AVA within Napa, is suitable for the production of sparkling wines
Carneros
__, the northernmost AVA, routinely sees daytime summer temperatures above 90° F, and producers focus on sturdier grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel
Calistoga
Altitude also has a major effect on temperature—Napa Valley’s vineyards stretch from-
0-over 2,000 ft . above sea level!
The valley is formed by the __Mountains to the west, which mark the border with Sonoma County, and the __Mountains on the east.
Mayacamas, Vaca
The valley has a remarkable diversity of volcanic, alluvial and maritime soil types, ranging from-
well-drained gravel loam to dense clays to the thin, rocky soils of the hillside vineyards
The high-altitude, west-facing vineyards of __ AVA, the 1st sub-appellation wholly within Napa Valley to receive its own AVA, produce benchmark mountain wines
Howell Mountain
What is a serious concern amongst Napa’s hillside growers?
erosion, as heavy winter rains can literally wash away a vineyard’s entire topsoil, leaving nothing but hard bedrock behind
The topsoil on the valley floor is deeper, and valley fruit tends to produce-
a more elegant and supple style of Cabernet, with less intensity of color
__ AVA exemplifies the valley floor style
Rutherford
Sonoma County lies between Napa County and the Pacific coast, and is bordered on the north by __ and the south by __
Mendocino and Lake, Marin, Solano, and Contra Costa
What are the AVA’s of Sonoma?
- Alexander Valley
- Dry Creek Valley
- Rockpile
- Bennett Valley
- Knights Valley
- Chalk Hill
- Russian River Valley
- Sonoma Valley
- Moon Mountain District Sonoma County
- Green Valley of Russian River Valley
- Sonoma Mountain
- Sonoma Coast
- Northern Sonoma
- Pine Mountain-Cloverdale Peak
- Fort Ross-Seaview
- Fountaingrove District
- (a majority of the) Carneros AVA
Sonoma AVAs cover a much larger area than the AVAs of Napa, and there is a wide variation in-
climate and soil throughout the county
The windy, foggy Carneros AVA is a cool Region _ area, whereas the warm northern AVAs of Alexander Valley and Dry Creek Valley are considered Region _
I , III
Where can the coolest temperatures be found in Sonoma County?
in the northern stretches of the Sonoma Coast AVA, where altitude, cold ocean air and persistent coastal fog combine to keep temperatures down
What thrives in northern Sonoma Coast AVA?
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, along with cool-climate renditions of Rhône varieties
Sonoma Coast AVA contains nearly 500,000 acres, the more inland and southern areas within it can experience-
a warmer Region II climate
Even the true coastal vineyards, in Sonoma Coast AVA, if above the marine fog layer, may produce-
bold wines of concentration and power rather than elegance and focus
The Russian River Valley AVA, follows the river-
southwest from the town of Healdsburg
Russian River Valley AVA is highly regarded for-
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay made in fruity, forward styles, yet the more moderate climate may prove most hospitable to Rhône grapes/Zinfandel
What soils characterize the Russian River Valley?
Fertile alluvial soils, such as “Goldridge” sandy loam
What are essentially sub-AVAs of the Russian River Valley?
Chalk Hill and Green Valley
Coastal producers of note include-
Hirsch, Marcassin, and Peay
What are prominent names in Russian River Valley?
Dehlinger, Joseph Swan, Rochioli, and Williams-Selyem
The northern AVAs of __, __, __ and __ are located to the north and east of Healdsburg
Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Rockpile, and Knights Valley
What AVAs experience warmer Region III climates?
Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Rockpile, and Knights Valley (warmest AVA in the county)
What are most prominent in the gravelly soils of Alexander Valley and Knights Valley?
Bordeaux grape varieties, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon
Alexander Valley CS tends to show what in comparison to its Napa counterparts?
more herbaceous character and less body
Wines from what warm AVA can be similar in style to Napa?
Knights Valley wines, such as Peter Michael’s “Les Pavot,”
__ and the small __ AVA are known for ripe, powerful styles of Zinfandel, aged in either American or French oak
Dry Creek Valley, Rockpile
In the southern sector of the county, __ AVA, the county’s most est region, is situated between the Mayacamas and Sonoma Mountains, and runs nearly parallel to Napa Valley
Sonoma Valley
Like Napa, Sonoma Valley’s temperature gets progressively-
warmer as one travels north
Bennett Valley, a sub-AVA in the northwestern sector of Sonoma valley, favors-
Merlot, as it is too cool to routinely ripen Cabernet Sauvignon
The cool, windswept hills of Carneros form the valley’s southern extremity at the __
San Pablo Bay
The Champagne house of _ and the Cava producer __ both set up American sparkling wine estates in Carneros in the 1980s, following the pioneering example of __
Taittinger, Codorníu, Gloria Ferrer
From 2011 forward, all wines produced in Sonoma county are required to state __ on the label, regardless of whether or not the label also indicates an AVA
Sonoma County
North of Sonoma County, Mendocino’s best winegrowing regions are centered at the confluence of-
the Russian and Navarro Rivers in the southern portion of the county
The Mendocino AVA, which has stricter boundaries than the county appellation, lines both rivers and encompasses the 9 AVAs of:
- Anderson Valley
- Potter Valley
- Redwood Valley
- McDowell Valley
- Yorkville Highlands
- Mendocino Ridge
- Pine Mountain-Cloverdale Peak
- Dos Rios
- Cole Ranch
The Mendocino AVA was decreased in size in 2014—a rare move—why?
so that its boundaries would not overlap those of a new AVA approved in the same year, Eagle Peak Mendocino County AVA
What is the smallest AVA in America?
Cole Ranch
Cole Ranch and McDowell Valley are essentially monopole AVAs of-
the Esterlina and McDowell Valley wineries, respectively
Describe the climate of Anderson Valley
one of California’s coolest climates, as cool ocean air and fog trails inland along the path of the Navarro River, framed by steep hills
As testament to the Anderson Valley’s cool, marginal climate, the Champagne house of __ established its American operations there rather than in Carneros, where many competitors landed—and today produce one of the more elegant styles of sparkling wine in California.
Louis Roederer
In addition to the classic sparkling varieties, what performs well in Anderson Valley?
Riesling and Gewürztraminer
The inland areas of __ AVA, particularly around Ukiah, are noticeably hotter
Mendocino
Mendocino Ridge AVA stretches southward from the Navarro River along the coast, but the appellation is restricted to vineyards that are-
at least 1,200 feet above sea level
What thrives in the sun above the fog line in Mendocino Ridge AVA?
Zinfandel
To the east of Mendocino, __ is the smallest wine-producing county in the North Coast
Lake County
Lake County most prominent AVA is-
Clear Lake
California’s Central Coast AVA spans-
the entirety of California’s coastline from San Francisco Bay in the north to Santa Barbara County in the south
Directly east and south of San Francisco Bay are the AVAs of :
Livermore Valley, Santa Cruz Mountains, Ben Lomond Mountain, Santa Clara Valley, San Ysidro District, and the sprawling San Francisco Bay AVA itself
Immediately south of the city of San Francisco, the large Santa Cruz Mountains AVA provides what climate?
cool, coastal, where high-altitude vineyards are interspersed between miles of redwood forest
What are among the Santa Cruz Mountains’ most celebrated parcels?
Ridge’s Monte Bello vineyard and the original Bonny Doon Estate Vineyard
The original Bonny Doon Estate Vineyard became an eventual victim of what?
Pierce’s Disease
The warm inland Livermore Valley achieves success with __
Sauvignon Blanc
Who is the most notable producer within Livermore Valley?
Wente
Despite the inclusion of Santa Cruz County in the Central Coast AVA, __ is excluded
Santa Cruz Mountains AVA
South of the San Francisco Bay is __, home to Salinas Valley, the “lettuce capital of the world.”
Monterey County
In the wake of Napa’s success, the Monterey AVA, including the valleys of __ and __, was extensively planted with vines
Salinas, Carmel
Monterey AVA climate?
cool coastal area promised success, offering one of California’s longest growing seasons
Much of Monterey’s output ends up in-
bulk blends from the Central Valley
__ is the dominant grape, accounting for more than 50% of plantings in the Monterey AVA
Chardonnay
What is highlighted in the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA?
Pinot Noir
Santa Lucia Highlands AVA is home to what esteemed PN vineyard?
Garys’ Vineyard
In Mount Harlan AVA, within San Benito County in the Gabilan Mountains to the east, who produces acclaimed wines from PN?
Calera
__ AVA, an appellation dominated by the producer of the same name in Monterey, lies to the south in the same range
Chalone
The__ and __ counties are located to the south of Monterey
San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara
Covering 612,308 acres, San Luis Obispo’s Paso Robles AVA is a giant appellation with wide variations in climate and soil series—chief rationale for the creation of-
11 new nested AVAs within Paso in 2014
Broadly, the western reaches of Paso Robles are characterized by-
cooler marine air funneled through the Templeton Gap and more prevalent limestone and calcareous soils
East of the Salinas River, the soil structure in Paso Robles is-
sandier, and the climate in general is warmer and more arid
CS became increasingly important as Paso Robles saw-
an infusion of large-scale wineries in the 1980s
What has a long history in the “Pass of the Oaks?”
Zinfandel
__ planted the first commercial Syrah vines in the state in Paso Robles
Gary Eberle
The nursery at __ , a project owned in part by Château Beaucastel, provided clonal material from the Rhône Valley to interested producers across the state.
Tablas Creek
__, the world’s largest Rhône wine celebration, is held annually in the area.
Hospices du Rhône
Other AVAs in San Luis Obispo County include:
York Mountain, Arroyo Grande, and Edna Valley
Edna Valley climate?
cool coastal climate appropriate for PN and Chard
At Point Conception in Santa Barbara County, California’s coastline sharply-
bends, trending east-west rather than north-south
Santa Barbara’s valleys, including the __ AVA and the __ AVA, trail from east to west through the San Rafael and Santa Ynez Mountains, paralleling the coastline
Santa Maria Valley, Santa Ynez Valley
The AVAs of __, __ and __ are located within the Santa Ynez Valley
Sta. Rita Hills, Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara, and Ballard Canyon
In early 2006, a legal dispute with the Chilean winery of the same name led __ to legally abbreviate its AVA name.
Sta. Rita Hills
Despite a lengthy history of viticulture—Santa Barbara is the site of one of California’s original missions—interest in winemaking has taken off in the last several decades, reinvigorated by-
the success of Richard Sanford’s original vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills
The giant __ in Santa Maria Valley AVA was planted to premium varieties—principally Pinot Noir and Chardonnay—in the mid-1970s, not long after Sanford & Benedict was established
Bien Nacido Vineyard
Why is Santa Barbara County lauded for cultivation of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Rhône varieties?
Region I maritime climate and lengthy growing season—the longest in California
The bulk of California’s wine is produced in the state’s vast, hot Central Valley, an extensively irrigated agricultural area divided between what valleys?
the northern Sacramento Valley and the southern San Joaquin Valley
The Central Valley is generally divided between what heat summation zones?
Region IV and Region V—temperatures most suitable for fortified wines, table grapes and raisins
Gallo, the 2nd-largest producer in the world, is headquartered at-
Modesto; half of the Central Valley’s wine issues from Gallo’s facilities
As evidenced by the wines of Gallo and other Central Valley giants, including __(owned by the Wine Group) and Bronco Wine Company, most Central Valley production is of bulk wine quality—low in cost and low on character of site.
Franzia
The largest and most important Central Valley AVA is-
Lodi, home to over 20% of California’s total wine grape production
Lodi, located just south of Sacramento on the eastern edge of the Sacramento River Delta, is slightly cooler than much of the Central Valley, due to-
the influence of a gap in the coastal ranges, which pulls the coastal air inland from the San Francisco Bay and over the delta.
Lodi is home to both large, value-oriented brands, like-
Sutter Home and Robert Mondavi Woodbridge, and small boutique wineries, many of whom specialize in old-vine Zinfandel production
Lodi includes what 7 AVA sub-appellations?
- Alta Mesa
- Borden Ranch
- Mokelumne River
- Cosumnes River
- Jahant
- Sloughhouse
- Clements Hills
Other AVAs of note in the Central Valley include-
Dunnigan Hills, Clarksburg, Capay Valley, and Merritt Island
The Sierra Foothills AVA is located-
to the east of Sacramento and Lodi, on the western edge of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in the heart of California’s 19th century gold rush territory
The Sierra Foothills AVA is a fragmented region divided into what sub-AVAs?
Fair Play, El Dorado, Fiddletown, North Yuba, and California Shenandoah Valley
Climate in Sierra Foothills AVA?
Temperature is dependent on altitude; the lowest and hottest vineyards are located in Shenandoah
What is the Sierra Foothills’ most acclaimed style?
Chewy, spicy, concentrated Zinfandel, sometimes sourced from vines dating back to before Prohibition
What, located just west of Sacramento, has been a guiding light for California’s wine producers and home to one of the world’s most highly regarded institutes of viticulture and oenology?
The University of California at Davis
When phylloxera struck California in the 1980s, it attacked the now-infamous __ —a supposedly resistant rootstock supplied to the state’s growers by Davis. Officially, the institution deemed phylloxera to have mutated
AXR-1 rootstock
