California: Sonoma County Flashcards
Name the three overarching AVAs contained within Sonoma County
Northern Sonoma AVA
Sonoma Coast AVA
Sonoma Valley AVA
If a wine comes from an AVA that sits entirely within Sonoma County, what place names must appear on the wine’s label?
Both Sonoma County and the name of the AVA must appear on the label
Which AVA separates Northern Sonoma from the Pacific coast?
Sonoma Coast AVA
What is the name of the river running through Northern Sonoma AVA?
Explain why this is important for vineyards here
Russian River
Flows through Northern Sonoma AVA filling underground aquifers and providing water for vineyards before flowing out to the Pacific
Name the 7 smaller AVAs within Northern Sonoma AVA?
Alexander Valley AVA Knights Valley AVA Rock Pile AVA Chalk Hill AVA Russian River Valley AVA Green Valley AVA (within Russian River Valley) Dry Creek Valley AVA
Alexander Valley AVA is in the ____ ____ corner of Sonoma County.
Its warm climate is moderated by cool Pacific air funnelled in through the ____ ____ and _____ _____ ____ to the south
North east corner
Pacific air funnelled in through the Petluma Gap and Russian River Valley
Where are vineyards typically planted in Alexander Valley AVA?
At what elevations?
Valley floor
West / south west facing slopes and benches of Mayacamas mountains
100m to 750m
How do soils differ in Alexander Valley AVA?
Mixed
Greater fertility on valley floors
Low nutrient sand and gravel at higher altitudes
More tannic and structured wines come from higher altitudes
What is the average rainfall in Alexander Valley AVA?
800mm per year
Most falls in winter
What is the most planted grape in Alexander Valley AVA?
Give a typical tasting note, noting quality and price
Cabernet Sauvignon
Pronounced Ripe blackcurrant, blackberry, dried herb, chocolate Medium (+) acidity Full body Medium to high alcohol Good to outstanding Mid to premium priced
Name the AVA.
- The furthest inland AVA in North Sonoma
- Separated from the northern end of Napa County by the Mayacamas Mountains
- One of the warmest areas in Sonoma County
- Surrounded by hills and sheltered from cooling influence of the Pacific Ocean
- Cabernet Sauvignon is the most planted grape
Knights Valley AVA
What soils and temperatures in Knights Valley AVA make it ideal for producing a ripe, full bodied style of Cabernet Sauvignon?
Warm temperatures
Free draining volcanic soils
What varieties is Dry Creek Valley AVA best known for?
Zinfandel
Sauvignon Blanc
Mountains on either side of Dry Creek Valley funnel cool air and fogs in from what bay?
When do these fogs and breezes occur and what effect do they have?
San Pablo Bay
Usually in the mornings and evenings, giving cooler nights, helping retention of acidity
Is the south or north of Dry Creek Valley AVA cooler? Why?
South - despite latitude, there is more cooling influence from fogs and breezes off San Pablo Bay.
Describe what soils you might find in Dry Creek Valley AVA and where
Mixed
Gravelly loam on the valley floor
Red clay loam on slopes and benches
Where would you expect fresher styles of Zinfandel to come from in Dry Creek Valley AVA?
Riper styles?
Fresher styles:
From east facing slopes or south of the appellation
Riper styles:
From west facing slopes or north of the appellation
How might Zinfandel from Dry Creek Valley AVA be matured?
What quality price would you expect for Zinfandel wines from this region?
In oak, typically with a proportion of new wood. American wood is common.
Good to outstanding, mid-priced to premium
Which AVA is in the northern part of Sonoma County, overlapping with Dry Creek Valley AVA and extending up to Mendocino County?
Rockpile AVA
Other than geographical location, what other stipulations are there for vineyards to be included in the Rockpile AVA?
Vineyards must be above 250m altitude to be included