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Sonoma County Wineries

Sonoma Wineries Run the Gamut of Varietals

Why so many wineries? Because of Sonoma Couny's highly varied landscape and its many different micro-climes, there's room within the county for a huge variety of grapes from which to make wines.

You'll find that Sonoma wineries number over 200, they produce thirteen different varietals, and they're classified under thirteen renowned appellations!

The varietals include (from whites to reds): Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris (or Pinot Grigio), Viognier, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Now, Syrah, Zinfandel, Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese, and Petite Sirah.

Insider Secret: Don't ask for a Pinot when what you want is a Pinot Blanc or a Pinot Gris (both white wines) - if you do, your waiter will probably assume you want the red, Pinot Noir... I learned this the hard way.

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Sonoma's Grape Growing Secret

Add to that the wide range of terrains with interior valleys, rolling hills, and mountains, little to no rainfall during the growing and harvest seasons, and the almost total absence of hard frosts, you've got the ideal environment for growing a variety of grapes and producing many varietals of wine from them!

In the world of winemaking, the French word terroir applies - that combination of geography, geology, climate, soil composition, weather conditions, and farming techniques that gives each wine its own special characteristics.

You just can't beat the California Wine Country for producing quality wines that have even been known to beat the French at their own wine making game, but that's another story!

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The Appellations of Sonoma Wineries

An appellation is the official name given to a geographical area where wine grapes are grown.

It's a convention which tells the wine lover who is familiar with the various wine growing regions something about the bottle of wine bearing the appellation.

For instance, if you were looking at a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon that bears the Alexander Valley appellation, you'd have reason to believe that this would be an especially soft Cab with few or no rough tannins.

If your bottle is a sparkling wine from a Sonoma Valley Winery you could expect it to be balanced in texture, with both citrusy and fruity flavors.

A Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley, on the other hand, is all about texture with "sensual, succulent, juicy, fleshy, slides-down-your-throat mouth feel" you can rely on.

In the end, drinking wine is all about your own personal taste buds - what YOU like. But getting to know the characteristics of an appellation that you enjoy can help you make informed decisions about other wines with similar characteristics.

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Sonoma Wineries, From Alexander Valley to Sonoma Valley

So - enough! Are you ready to visit some Sonoma County wineries? Here are some of the best, grouped by appellation:

• Alexander Valley
  Noted for its Cabernet Sauvignons and Merlots particularly.
• Bennett Valley
  Small but passionate and powerful.
• Carneros-Sonoma
  California's first wine region to be delineated by its climate rather than its politics.
• Chalk Hill
  Named for the chalky-colored volcanic ash which lies just beneath the topsoil.
• Dry Creek Valley
  Noted for the spicy Zinfandels and spicy stories that predate Prohibition.
• Green Valley
  With its trademark fog, it's the most consistent North Coast appellation for soil, climate, and flavor.
• Knights Valley
  One of Sonoma's original five appellations, it has the warmest climate.
• Northern Sonoma
  Gallo of Sonoma was the driving force behind the formation of this appellation.
• Rockpile
  Adheres to the old adage, "the vine must suffer that the wine be distinctive".
• Russian River Valley
  One of the largest appellation areas in Sonoma (outdone in size only by the Sonoma Coast Appellation).
• Sonoma Coast
  Noted for its cool climate and high rainfall, with a broad range of micro-climates.
• Sonoma Mountain
  Because it rises above the fog line, Sonoma Mountain grapes have the opportunity to ripen slowly and evenly.
• Sonoma Valley
  The Sonoma Valley appellation contains three sub-appellations: Carneros, Sonoma Mountain, and Bennett Valley.

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To discover more about Sonoma County, visit:

• Sonoma County Communities
  Lots of little villages, burgs, crossroads, small towns, and tiny don't-blink-or-you'll-miss-'em enchanting hamlets
• Sonoma County Day Trips (There's More Than Wine)
  Explore the backroads and the byways of Sonoma County
  
• Sonoma Valley Wineries (The Appellation)
  Appellations particular to Sonoma Valley
  
• Sonoma Town (History, Shopping, and Wine Tasting)
  The heart of Sonoma
  
• Sonoma Things To Do (More Free Things To Do)
  Who doesn't love free!
  

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