Sonoma County

Question 1

How many AVAs Sonoma has?

Answer 1

19

Question 2

Who planted the first vines in Sonoma?

Answer 2

the Russians are also credited with planting the first grapevines in Sonoma County. Their initial efforts at Fort Ross, unsurprisingly, failed—and it would be another century and a half before coastal viticulture took hold in Sonoma. The Russians found greater success farther inland, and in 1836, Igor Chernykh planted the first vineyard in what is today the Russian River Valley

Question 3

Who established Buena Vista Winery?

Answer 3

In 1855, Haraszthy first laid eyes on the Buena Vista property in the Sonoma Valley, just east of the town of Sonoma
Haraszthy’s plantings made Buena Vista the second largest vineyard in California by the end of 1858
To improve quality, Haraszthy brought back 100,000 vine cuttings from a trip to Europe in 1862. Among them were hundreds of grape varieties believed to be new to California—including Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc

Question 4

Phylloxera was identified where?

Answer 4

Phylloxera was first identified in California in 1873 at Buena Vista

Question 5

Which is Sonoma’s first AVA?

Answer 5

Sonoma Valley in 1981

Question 6

Who owns Williams Selyem?

Answer 6

Faiveley

Question 7

Which is the most recent AVA of Sonoma?

Answer 7

West Sonoma Coast in 2022

Question 8

A wine from Green River Valley can be labelled?

Answer 8

under four different Sonoma AVAs: Green Valley, Russian River Valley, Sonoma Coast, or Northern Sonoma (or North Coast)

Question 9

Soils of Sonoma?

Answer 9

Winegrowers in Sonoma are quick to note that their county has more soil types than the whole of France. Sonoma soils generally reflect some combination of marine history—a result of the land’s long submersion beneath the Pacific—and volcanic matter, coming from tectonic activity and eruptions.
Granitic to the west
volcanic north
marine sandstones

Question 10

Name the 4 sustainable bodies of Sonoma

Answer 10

Fish Friendly Farming, California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (also known as Certified Sustainable), Lodi Rules, or Sustainability in Practice (SIP). By 2019, 99% of Sonoma County vineyards achieved this milestone.

Question 11

Name the grape varieties of Sonoma

Answer 11

Sonoma’s winegrowers work with more than 60 grape varieties, a number that continues to grow as vintners and consumers consider less traditional cultivars. Even so, more than 92% of Sonoma’s acreage is dedicated to just seven grapes

Whites: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Viognier, Gewurztraminer, Semillon, Pinot Blanc, RIesling, Rousanne, Muscat

Reds: Pinot Noir (first panted by Agoston Haraszthy in 1862), Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Merlot, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Sangiovese, Petit Verdot

Question 12

Name the AVAs of South Sonoma

Answer 12

Sonoma Valley
Sonoma Mountain
Bennett Valley
Moon Mountain District
Carneros
Petaluma Gap

Question 13

Sonoma Valley is famous for?

Answer 13

Several grapes perform well in this central corridor on the floor of the Sonoma Valley, especially Rhône and Bordeaux varieties. The great treasure of this portion of the AVA, however, is old vine Zinfandel like Ravenswood and Bedrock Wine Co.

Question 14

Sonoma Valley’s topography, soils and climate?

Answer 14

Occupying the southeastern corner of the county, the Sonoma Valley is formed by the Mayacamas to the east and the next ridgeline over of the Coast Ranges. The appellation falls in the pathway of the Petaluma Gap, which brings fog and a maritime influence to the valley floor, as well as wide diurnal swings. Days, however, tend to be hot. Soils here are diverse, though alluvial wash from the Mayacamas and reddish volcanic material fan across parts of the benchland

Question 15

Sonoma Mountain topography, soils, climate and grapes?

Answer 15

Along the western slopes, the Sonoma Mountain AVA, established in 1985, ascends to 2,400 feet. Its east-facing aspect captures early to midday light, and its grapes experience longer ripening periods at lower Brix than those of many other mountain AVAs. With predominately volcanic soils, Sonoma Mountain excels with the Bordeaux varieties, especially Cabernet Sauvignon. A small number of producers bottle Sonoma Mountain AVA wines, among them Benziger and Laurel Glen

Question 16

Bennett’s Valley soils, topography, climate and grapes?

Answer 16

Bennett Valley is lifted above the central Sonoma Valley floor, with 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. Although Pinot Noir and Rhône varieties are planted, Bennett Valley is most associated with Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Merlot—largely because of Matanzas Creek’s work with these grapes. Merlot, in particular, can achieve finesse and complexity in the AVA, and Bennett Valley Merlot is an important component in Vérité’s iconic La Muse.
It is one of the smallest and coolest AVAs
(Matanzas Creek is the best-known producer in the appellation, and its founding in 1977 marked the beginning of the AVA’s modern commercial history)

Question 17

Moon Mountain District soils, topography, climate and grapes?

Answer 17

the Moon Mountain District AVA (formed in 2013) extends across the Mayacamas range. It essentially forms the western face of Napa’s Mount Veeder AVA
Cooler climate due to Petaluma Gap
Soils vary across Moon Mountain, reflecting both their maritime origins and ashy volcanic contributions, and the appellation’s name is explained by lunar-like stone outcroppings on the hillside vineyards. 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.
It is better suited to Pinot Noir and a leaner style of Chardonnay than most other vineyards on the slope, though it also grows a highly regarded Cabernet Sauvignon. The warmer upper portions of the AVA are more successful with Bordeaux and Rhône grapes, Zinfandel, and Chardonnay, found here in the original Kistler Vineyard. Several other pedigreed sites fall within the Moon Mountain District, including Monte Rosso and Montecillo. Monte Rosso is among the most famous vineyards in California and dates to the late 19th century. Louis M. Martini purchased it after Prohibition’s repeal and renamed it Monte Rosso, referencing its volcanic, iron-rich Red Hill loam. Today, Monte Rosso is owned by E. & J. Gallo

Question 18

Name some top producers from Moon Mountain

Answer 18

Hanzell
Kistler
Dumol
Kamen Estate
Hamel Familly Wines

Question 19

Petaluma Gap climate and grapes?

Answer 19

The Petaluma Gap is Sonoma’s youngest AVA, recognized only in 2017 and divided between Sonoma and Marin Counties
Cool temps and fogs by San Pablo Bay
Vineyards in the Petaluma Gap are draped in early morning fog, which is driven away by the sun and rising temperatures. Winds pick up by midafternoon, followed within a few hours by fog again. The intense wind currents greatly contribute to quality in the region by reducing yields, thickening skins, delaying ripening, and preserving acidity.
mainly Pinot Noir followed by Syrah and Chardonnay
The Gap’s Crown Vineyard, near Cotati, is the AVA’s most famous property, today owned by Bill Price of Three Sticks.

Question 20

Name the AVAs of Central Sonoma

Answer 20

Russian River Valley (Green Valley and Chalk Hill)
Fountaingrove District

Question 21

Name the first champions of Russian River Valley

Answer 21

Among its first champions were Charles Bacigalupi, Joe Rochioli Jr., and Joseph Swan, whose wineries remain benchmarks in the appellation.

Question 22

Russian River is known for?

Answer 22

it had established a brand for its plump Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines, with wineries such as Williams Selyem attracting critical acclaim and a following of collectors.

Question 23

Russian River’s style of Pinots and Chardonnay?

Answer 23

The typical Russian River Valley Chardonnay is rich in yellow orchard fruit flavors, nuanced by more savory autumnal flavors. Wines in this style commonly undergo partial or full malolactic conversion and are fermented and aged in barrel, a significant percentage new. Pinot Noir wines from the Russian River Valley are similarly round and ample. They, too, will see notable new oak. Russian River Valley Pinot Noir often exceeds 14% alcohol by volume, making it among the ripest classic expressions of the variety. According to the climatologist Gregory Jones, the Russian River Valley, overall, is the warmest region worldwide for premium Pinot Noir. The wines exude aromas and flavors of Christmas spices, cranberry, cola, and sarsaparilla. Unlike Burgundy, which can be fickle to the consumer, Russian River Valley wines offer immediate pleasure. Of course, a number of producers buck such stereotypes, especially in cooler pockets well suited to a lighter touch in the cellar.

Question 24

Russian River produces also?

Answer 24

old vine Zinfandel vineyards, which can offer somewhat fresher, more dialed-in expressions of the variety than typically encountered in warmer regions.
Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon

Question 25

Name the six sectors of Russian River

Answer 25

Middle Reach
Santa Rosa Plains
Laguna Ridge
Green Valley
Sebastopol Hills
Eastern Hills

Question 26

Green Valley’s soils and climate?

Answer 26

high concentration of Goldridge soil
One of the coldest areas of the Russian River Valley, Green Valley holds fog from the Petaluma Gap longer than much of the rest of the AVA, while its proximity to the Pacific exposes the area to heightened maritime winds. Ripening, however, is less challenging in the region’s west, where vineyards reach higher elevations where the fog burns off more quickly. The cool conditions of Green Valley allow for the production of quality traditional method sparkling wines. One of the leading and earliest American-owned sparkling houses, Iron Horse Vineyards, is located here

Question 27

Where we found old vine Zinfandel in Russian River?

Answer 27

The Santa Rosa Plain flanks Laguna Ridge to the east, moving toward the city of Santa Rosa. Flatter than other portions of the Russian River Valley, this neighborhood is a major hub for old vine Zinfandel. Pinot Noir, too, is widely cultivated, with many celebrated vineyards along Olivet Road. To the north, Middle Reach surrounds the Russian River in the area closest to Healdsburg. In many respects, this is the most “classic” area of the Russian River Valley, cultivating its oldest plantings and housing such legacy brands as Williams Selyem, Rochioli, and Bacigalupi.

Question 28

Name some top producers from Russian River Valley

Answer 28

Rochioli
Kistler
Aubert Wines
Williams Seylem
Littorai
La Crema

Question 29

Chalk Hill’s climate, topography, soils and grapes?

Answer 29

recognized in 1983
Generally warmer than the Russian River Valley, Chalk Hill gains temperature as it climbs in elevation away from the fog in the foothills of the Mayacamas Range. While Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are grown in Chalk Hill, Bordeaux varieties, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc, are present there as well.
Chalk Hill’s white soils are not actually chalk but rather volcanic derived

Question 30

Name some top producers from Chalk Hill

Answer 30

Fred Furth, who acquired his Chalk Hill Estate in 1972 after flying his plane over the area. The property, 1,300 acres in size, remains the dominant producer for the AVA, though other key Sonoma winemakers, including Rodney Strong and Arnot-Roberts, bottle Chalk Hill–designate wines.

Question 31

Fountaingrove District became Ava when?

Answer 31

A newer appellation, approved in 2015

Question 32

Fountaingrove’s District soils, grapes, topography and climate?

Answer 32

The original Fountain Grove Winery was planted primarily to Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The latter dominates acreage in the current AVA, which harvests primarily Rhône and Bordeaux varieties, as well as Zinfandel. These grapes thrive in the heat of the appellation’s west-facing slopes, which reach above 2,000 feet in elevation, while Chardonnay also succeeds in cooler blocks with northern aspects. Like Chalk Hill, the Fountaingrove District is blanketed in volcanic ash. Despite Fountaingrove’s inland geography, a gap in Sonoma’s mountain ranges provides a pathway for maritime breezes, which moderate ripening.

Question 33

Name the AVAs of Coastal Sonoma

Answer 33

Sonoma Coast
West Coast Sonoma (2022)
Fort Ross Seaview

Question 34

What is Freestone-Occidental area?

Answer 34

Is increasingly becoming the pre-eminent growing region of the Sonoma Coast for quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Many ultra-premium producers of Burgundian-style wines seek quality fruit in the coolest growing regions—sacrificing higher yields and in some years risking entire crops. The close proximity to the Pacific Ocean provides constant exposure to ocean breezes and coastal fog that moves through the area, though many vineyards in the area are located on ridge tops and at elevations of 600 to 1,200 feet—well above the fog.

Freestone, to the south, is made up of open valleys, hillsides and pastureland along Bodega Highway (Highway 12) and on either side of Bohemian Highway. Planted here are larger vineyard tracts owned by the more established, premium producers like Phelps’ Freestone Vineyards, Kistler, Benziger, Dutton-Goldfield and Marimar Torres.

To the north, Occidental has a wooded, more rugged terrain, the first ridge in from the Pacific and therefore the most extreme of growing conditions in the region. Includes: Evening Land, Occidental Road Cellars, Littorai etc

Question 35

Name the AVAs of North Sonoma

Answer 35

Knights Valley
Alexander Valley
Dry Creek Valley
Two other AVAs are included in North Sonoma: Pine Mountain–Cloverdale Peak and Rockpile (Split among Mendocino and Sonoma Counties)

Question 36

Who proposed Northern Sonoma for becoming an AVA and when?

Answer 36

E & J Gallo in 1990

Question 37

Which is the most easterly AVA of Northern Sonoma?

Answer 37

Knights Valley

Question 38

Knight’s Valley topography, climate, soils and grapes?

Answer 38

It is the hottest of the three and the most protected from maritime influences. Situated beside the Mayacamas at the base of Mount Saint Helena, with many vineyards on the mountain itself, Knights Valley has mostly alluvial soils with volcanic components. Instead, the temperature is moderated by cooler evenings caused by elevation.
Well-drained soils, warm temperatures and high sunshine levels ensure that its most widely planted grape variety, Cabernet Sauvignon, achieves the full-bodied, ripe, chocolate flavors for which the region has become known. The variety accounts for about two-thirds of the wine produced.

However, there are a range of other red grapes grown in the valley, including Merlot, Syrah, Zinfandel and a small quantity of Mourvèdre. A small quantity of Chardonnay, Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc is also produced

Question 39

Who planted the first vines in Knights Valley?

Answer 39

Knights Valley was named for Thomas Knight, who first planted vineyards

Question 40

When did the wine industry of Knights Valley flourished?

Answer 40

In the valley’s early history, much of its fruit was sold to Charles Krug Winery across the border in St. Helena. Knights Valley’s grape industry accelerated when Beringer invested in the region in the late 1960s. Today, there are several other prestige properties, primarily for Cabernet Sauvignon, in the appellation, which achieved AVA status in 1983. Among them are Peter Michael, an accoladed project from an actual British knight, and Anakota, a Jackson Family label made by the French father-daughter team Pierre and Hélène Seillan. At the same facility, the Seillans produce Vérité, also a Jackson Family brand, a collection of Sonoma County blends with important components from Knights Valley. The three wines in the Vérité portfolio are the most expensive in Sonoma County and have earned more 100-point scores than they have vintages. La Joie is based on Cabernet Sauvignon, La Muse on Merlot, and Le Désir on Cabernet Franc.

Question 41

Name some top producers from Knights Valley

Answer 41

Peter Michael
Beringer
Anakota
Rodney Strong
Arronwood Winery

Question 42

Alexander Valley takes its name from?

Answer 42

Cyrus Alexander who arrived in the early 1840s

Question 43

Who planted Cabernet Sauvignon first in Alexander Valley?

Answer 43

At the advice of UC–Davis, in 1963, Young planted Cabernet Sauvignon, beginning the variety’s preeminence in the Alexander Valley. Rodney Strong quickly followed, planting Cabernet Sauvignon on a small hill he had purchased in 1971

Question 44

When did Alexander Valley became AVA?

Answer 44

1984

Question 45

Alexander’s Valley soils, climate and grapes?

Answer 45

The appellation experiences some cooling from the Petaluma Gap and the Pacific Ocean, as well as from the Russian River, which flows the length of the region past the town of Geyserville. More fertile, fluvial soils line the riverbanks and are best suited to Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. The Alexander Valley gains in elevation moving east, with vineyards planted higher than 2,500 feet. Bands of fog settle around 1,200 and 1,800 feet, but they burn off more quickly in the higher eastern portions of the AVA than they do elsewhere.
Mainly known for Cabernet Sauvignon (more herbaceous) and some old vine Zinfandel as well.
Soils also include volcanic

Question 46

Kendall Jackson’s estate is called?

Answer 46

Stonestreet Mountain Estate is in a segment of the eastern ridgeline that growers there call Pocket Peak at 2,400 feet

Question 47

Name some top producers from Alexander Valley

Answer 47

Rodney Strong
Kendall Jackson (Stonestreet M Estate)
Skipstone
Aperture
Ferrarri-Carano
Jordan Winery
Silver Oak Cellars

Question 48

Dry Creek’s grapes?

Answer 48

mainly known for old-vine Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc
Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Rhône varieties are also planted. Producers like Unti have rediscovered the potential of Italian varieties for the region, including Fiano, Vermentino, Barbera, Montepulciano, Sangiovese, and Aglianico

Question 49

Who planted the first vines in Dry Creek Valley and when?

Answer 49

The first documented vines in Dry Creek were planted by the French immigrant George Bloch in 1870, and among them was Zinfandel.
While many of the early settlers of Dry Creek were German, French, Irish, and English, a wave of Italian immigrants reached the area around the turn of the century. Around this same time, phylloxera struck the region.

Question 50

Who championed Sauvignon Blanc in Dry Creek?

Answer 50

No new wineries were established until 1972, when David Stare founded Dry Creek Vineyard. In addition to helping commercialize the term old vine on his Zinfandel labels, Stare championed Sauvignon Blanc for the Dry Creek Valley. He named his Fumé Blanc, in line with Robert Mondavi’s marketing move the next county over. Several other Dry Creek wineries emerged in the 1970s, including Lambert Bridge, A. Rafanelli, and Lytton Springs, the last of these sold in 1991 to Ridge, a winery that remains a leader for the appellation. Dry Creek Valley became an AVA in 1983

Question 51

Dry Creek Valley soils and climate?

Answer 51

Dry Creek Valley can get quite hot, with wide diurnal shifts vital in preserving freshness, especially in a lower-acid grape like Zinfandel. Soils on the valley floor consist mainly of gravel and sandy loam, while the hillsides are rockier and redder, with better drainage

Question 52

The best Zinfandel comes from which part?

Answer 52

While a certain ripeness is typical of the AVA, the best examples offer a balance of brambly fruit and sweet herbaceousness. Zinfandel coming from the western side of the appellation, where neighboring ridges offer afternoon shade, tends to be more finessed than examples from the east.

Question 53

Name some top producers from Dry Creek

Answer 53

A. Rafanelli
Ridge Vineyards
Dry Creek Vineyard
Seghesio