Sonoma

Question 1

Sonoma AVA’s

Answer 1

18. Sonoma Valley, Sonoma Coast, Northern Sonoma, Rockpile, Pine Mountain, Alexander Valley, Knight’s Valley, Russian River, Green Valley, Dry Creek, Chalk Hill, Fountaingrove, Bennet Valley, Sonoma Mountain, Moon Mountain, Carneros, Petaluma Gap, Fort Ross-Seaview

Question 2

Pine Mountain - Cloverdale Peak

Answer 2

Northern most - one of Highest ELV
Cabernet Sauvignon
Above Fog - slopes, gravel and shale

Question 3

Rockpile

Answer 3

High Ridge over Lake Sonoma 800+”
Zinfandel - intense
Rough, Rocky, red iron
Seghesio and Rosenblum

Question 4

Alexander Valley

Answer 4

Cabernet Sauvignon
East side of RR with SW (sunny) aspect with cool nights
Deep stressful alluvial gravel

Question 5

Knight’s Valley

Answer 5

Cabernet Sauvignon
Warmest in Sonoma - but cool nights due to ELV of Mt. St. Helena and inland protection
Peter Michael, Melka, Anakota

Question 6

Chalk Hill

Answer 6

Cab, Merlot Chard / SB
Eastern HIlls of RR = higher ELV above fog
Powdery white. Volcanic Ash

Question 7

Dry Creek

Answer 7

Zinfandel. Sauvignon Blanc
Varying climate from valley to hillside
upper is rockier - iron and gravel - Dry Creek Conglomerate
Ridge

Question 8

Russian River

Answer 8

Pinot Noir. Chardonnay
coolest in Sonoma, longest growing season.
NW corner is warmer for Zin and Cab
Kistler, Paul Hobbs, Dumol, Aubert

Question 9

Green Valley

Answer 9

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Maritime climate mouth of Petaluma Gap - first in and last out for fog = very long growing season
Bright, fresh wines, silky tannin
Sandy Soil - "Goldridge Series"
Iron Horse, Dutton Ranch

Question 10

Fort Ross Seaview

Answer 10

Pinot / Chard
Hills and ridges above Fog - within Sonoma Coast
above 920” thin sandstone, rocky
Failla, Flowers

Question 11

Fountaingrove

Answer 11

Classic Bordeaux Varietals, plus Zin and Syrah
Foothills of Mayacamas - up to 2000”
Volcanic soil. Brotherhood of New Life. Kanaye Nagasawa

Question 12

Bennet Valley

Answer 12

Syrah, Sauv Blanc, Merlot
Valley surrounded by hills = cooler. 
Volcanic / drainage
Bevin, Flanagan
Jean Arnold - Matanzas Creek

Question 13

Sonoma Mountain

Answer 13

Cab / Pinot Noir
up to 2400” = hot day / cool nights
Hills, valleys and slopes of varying aspect
Volcanic soil = intense thick skinned grapes
Kistler, Paul Hobbs

Question 14

Moon Mountain

Answer 14

Cab / Syrah
Warm up in hills - mostly West aspect.
 Volcanic, Red, Rocky
Inland harsh long growing season
Hanzell, Dumol, 3 sticks. Kamen

Question 15

Carneros

Answer 15

Pinot / Chard
Sparkles
cool climate and windy
Taittinger, Ferrer

Question 16

Petaluma Gap

Answer 16

Salty Winds of minimum 8 mph
Closed Stomata, thicker skin, smaller clusters
higher acid
Chapellet