North Coast - Mendocino County Flashcards
How many AVA’s and Wineries
12 and 108 wineries
From a wine perspective, Mendocino County is a tale of two climates. The county’s west coast borders the cold Pacific Ocean, resulting cool climate is home to world class sparkling, Pinot Noir, and aromatic whites. The east side is isolated from the ocean by mountain ranges, providing a warm, sunny climate that delivers robust red wines, often from old vines. In both cases, Mendocino County’s relatively remote location and late start on marketing mean it gets less mindshare among wine enthusiasts than it deserves. But, Mendocino County is the United States’ leader in organic viticulture and with growing interest in green agriculture, Mendocino is gaining ground.
Primary Grapes
Chardonnay 28%,
Pinot Noir 16%,
Cabernet Sauvignon 15%,
Zinfandel 11%,
Merlot 9%,
Sauvignon Blanc 4%
Key Soiltypes
Loams over sandstone Gravelly loams with clay Weathered bedrock
Climate
Warm-summer Mediterranean (Csb)
Sub AVA’s
Anderson Valley AVA
Cole Ranch AVA
Covelo AVA
Dos Rios AVA
Eagle Peak Mendocino County AVA
McDowell Valley AVA
Mendocino AVA
Mendocino Ridge AVA
Pine Mountain-Cloverdale Peak AVA
Potter Valley AVA
Redwood Valley AVA
Yorkville Highlands AVA
Anderson Valley AVA
Topography/Elevation/Water Sources/Geographic Features
A narrow valley with few large, contiguous vineyards. Median vineyard size is 13 acres (5 hectares). Most are on slopes or benches.
Geology/Soil Composition
Alluvial, varying in depth and granularity with the grade.
Climate
Warm summer Mediterranean, cooled by fog and Pacific breezes.
Diurnal shift can be 40-50°F (4-10°C).
Main Grape Varieties
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Merlot, Pinot Gris, Riesling
Cole Ranch AVA
Topography/Elevation/Water Sources/Geographic Features
1,400-1,600 feet (427-489 meters) altitude. The vineyard is contiguous and gently sloping.
Geology/Soil Composition
Alluvial clay loam and silt.
Climate
Warm-summer Mediterranean, cooled somewhat by altitude and Pacific breezes. Diurnal shift can be 50°F (10°C).
2,868 F degree days (1,576°C).
Hills shade the vineyard, allowing only nine hours of daily sun during peak growing season.
Main Grape Varieties
Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
Covelo AVA
Topography/Elevation/Water Sources/Geographic Features
Level topography.
Geology/Soil Composition
Very deep loam.
Climate
Four distinct seasons with high mountains blocking Pacific influence. The AVA petition therefore identifies the climate as Continental, but lack of non-winter rain doesn’t support that. The Köppen Climate Classification system says hot-summer Mediterranean.
Short growing season for the county, but higher than average daily temperatures.
Main Grape Varieties
Tempranillo, Pinot Noir, Grenache, Mencia
McDowell Valley AVA
Topography/Elevation/Water Sources/Geographic Features
Sloping benchland that rises to 1,000 feet (305 meters). Vineyards generally face west.
Geology/Soil Composition
Warm-summer Mediterranean.
Slightly cooler than surrounding areas due to altitude and cold air that slides down from the mountains at night, creating a dramatic
Main Grape Varieties
Zinfandel, Grenache, Syrah, Marsanne, and Viognier
Mendocino AVA
Topography/Elevation/Water Sources/Geographic Features
Flat to rolling, with room for contiguous vineyards of considerable size.
Geology/Soil Composition
Alluvial and often deep.
Climate
Warm-summer Mediterranean.
Main Grape Varieties
In the areas not covered by other AVAs: Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Carignane, Charbono, and Grenache.
Mendocino Ridge AVA
Topography/Elevation/Water Sources/Geographic Features
Flat to steeply sloping ridgetops.
The only non-contiguous AVA in the United States, it has a minimum altitude of 1,200 feet (366 meters). Unlike other AVAs defined by altitude, there is no continuous ridge line.
Geology/Soil Composition
Well-drained, timber-type soils of varying depths.
Climate
Warm-summer Mediterranean, but cooler than most other Mendocino AVAs. Altitude, combined with all-day sun and no fog, compensates for lower temperatures.
Main Grape Varieties
Pinot Noir, Syrah, Zinfandel, and Albariño
Pine Mountain-Cloverdale Peak AVA
Topography/Elevation/Water Sources/Geographic Features
Steep and undulating, with a minimum altitude of 1,600 feet (488 meters).
Geology/Soil Composition
Shallow and well-drained gravels, sandstone, and fractured shale.
Climate
Warm-summer Mediterranean
High altitude brings cooler temperatures on average throughout the year. This delays the start of the growing season by two weeks in most years. However, the vineyards are above the fog line and thus receive more morning and late afternoon sun.
Main Grape Varieties
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Syrah, and Sauvignon Blanc.
Potter Valley AVA
Topography/Elevation/Water Sources/Geographic Features
Primarily differentiated from Redwood Valley by altitude and is a minimum of 200 feet (61 meters) higher.
Geology/Soil Composition
Predominantly alluvial with some fluvial areas near streams.
Climate
Warm-summer Mediterranean with a very extreme diurnal shift.
Main Grape Varieties
Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, and Pinot Noir, plus a wide variety of Italian varieties.
Redwood Valley AVA
Topography/Elevation/Water Sources/Geographic Features
Primarily differentiated from Potter Valley by altitude, and is a minimum of 200 feet (61 meters) lower.
Geology/Soil Composition
Predominantly alluvial, some of it volcanic, with some fluvial areas near streams.
Climate
Warm-summer Mediterranean, with an extreme diurnal shift.
Main Grape Varieties
Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Barbera.
Yorkville Highlands AVA
Topography/Elevation/Water Sources/Geographic Features
Rugged, with many troughs and benches.
Geology/Soil Composition
Rocky and extremely well-drained.
Climate
Warm-summer Mediterranean, moderated by altitude and maritime fog. Diurnal shift is commonly 40-50°F (4-10°C)
Main Grape Varieties
Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Pinot Noir, and Merlot
