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Terroir
The terroir of
Sonoma Valley AVA is dominated by unpredictable fog patterns. A substantial amount of fog from Southern San Pablo Bay regularly covers region. Additionally, a lesser amount of fog creeps through a gap in mountains near Santa Rosa in north.
The Southern Sonoma Valley is very cool and includes eastern part of Carneros AVA. Temperature steadily rise as one travels north. The town of Sonoma is located about one-third of way north within 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 Sonoma Valley AVA as being suited to particular varietals. Although exceptions abound, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay generally thrive in southern part of Appellation. At same time, there are areas around Kenwood in northern part of AVA that produce great Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Pinot Noir from Sonoma Valley varies dramatically from south to north. Northern Pinots have almost Rhone-like characteristics, while southern Pinots are lighter and more reminiscent of production from Russian River Valley.
The eastern hills of 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 Eastern Sonoma Mountain, Louis M Martini's Monte Rosso in Western Mayacamas Mountains has arguably been most consistently excellent Cab grown by any Sonoma Valley Winery. Exceptional Gewurztraminers and Sauvignon Blancs are also produced in Sonoma Valley AVA.
