Sonoma Valley Wineries And Wines

Author: Ben Bicais

Article:
Although many AVAs in Sonoma County are well-known for one or
two specific varietals, the Sonoma Valley enjoys diverse
terroir, and successfully grows many different grape types. The
Sonoma Valley AVA was established in 1982, and is approximately
160 square miles. About 28,000 acres are planted with vineyards.

History

The history of viticulture in the Sonoma Valley began when a
Franciscan Padre named Jose Altimira established the Sonoma
Mission in 1823. This was the last, and northernmost Spanish
Mission built in California. Altimira established the first of
the Sonoma Valley Wineries, and simple wines were produced for
ecclesiastical purposes.

After Mexico won its independence from Spain in 1835, General
Vallejo was sent by the new government to secularize the Sonoma
Mission and its surrounding properties. The Bear Flag Revolt
occured 11 years later, and authority shifted to the United
States Government shortly thereafter.

Agaston Harazsthy founded the first commercial Sonoma Valley
Winery in 1857. Harazsthy experimented with different vitis
vinifera varietals and greatly increased the perception of the
Sonoma Valley as a quality wine region. Although Harazsthy's
winery ultimately went bankrupt, it laid the foundation for
future wine producers. Because of his contributions to Sonoma
viticulture, Harazsthy is known as the "Father of the California
Wine Industry".

The combined devastation of Phylloxera and Prohibition
eliminated all but the most hearty and innovative Sonoma Valley
Wineries. Sebastiani was able to persevere due to a contract
with the Church to make wine. However, most vineyards were
converted to other crops or used to raise livestock.

Despite the fact that the Sonoma Valley AVA has a long history
of winemaking, it was not until the 1970s that quality wine
production became widespread. The legacy of Phylloxera and
Prohibition caused the region to stagnate for over a generation.
Between the repeal of Prohibition and the renaissance of the
1970s, Sonoma Valley Wineries primarily produced jug wine.

During the 1970s, renowned wineries such as Gundlach-Bundschu,
and Chateau St. Jean experimented successfully with several
different varietals. As a result, one varietal does not dominate
production as Cabernet Sauvignon does in the Rutherford and
Oakville AVAs.

Terroir

The terroir of the Sonoma Valley AVA is dominated by
unpredictable fog patterns. A substantial amount of fog from the
Southern San Pablo Bay regularly covers the region.
Additionally, a lesser amount of fog creeps through a gap in the
mountains near Santa Rosa in the north.

The Southern Sonoma Valley is very cool and includes the eastern
part of the Carneros AVA. Temperature steadily rise as one
travels north. The town of Sonoma is located about one-third of
the way north within the AVA and has a moderate, pleasant
climate. The northern towns of Glen Ellen and Kenwood are
substantially warmer.

Wines, Wineries, and Varietals

As alluded to earlier, unpredictable fog patterns make it
difficult to typecast specific areas in the Sonoma Valley AVA as
being suited to particular varietals. Although exceptions
abound, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay generally thrive in the
southern part of the Appellation. At the same time, there are
areas around Kenwood in the northern part of the AVA that
produce great Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Pinot Noir from Sonoma Valley varies dramatically from the south
to the north. Northern Pinots have almost Rhone-like
characteristics, while southern Pinots are lighter and more
reminiscent of production from the Russian River Valley.

The eastern hills of the valley below Sonoma Mountain are
increasingly best known for Zinfandel. McCrea Vineyards is an
exceptional example of this production. While great Cabernet
Sauvignon can also be found on the Eastern Sonoma Mountain,
Louis M Martini's Monte Rosso in the Western Mayacamas Mountains
has arguably been the most consistently excellent Cab grown by
any Sonoma Valley Winery. Exceptional Gewurztraminers and
Sauvignon Blancs are also produced in the Sonoma Valley AVA.

About the author:
Ben Bicais lives in the Napa Valley and is the webmaster of
http://www.california-wine-tours-and-accessories.com