Pacheco Pass received its designation as an AVA in 1984. Pacheco Pass is located on 3,200 acres and is situated on the line between Santa Clara and San Benito Counties. Pacheco Pass is home to the famous roadside attraction Casa De Fruta farmstand, and they are the only producers in the region.
The Diamond Mountain District received its AVA designation in 2001. The region sits on 5,000 acres and is a sub-appellation of the Napa Valley AVA. Located in the Mayacamas Mountains, Diamond Mountain's unique feature is its higher elevation than most of the growing regions in Napa Valley. The higher elevation allows the vines to sit above the fog line and receive a few extended hours of direct sunlight daily. The soil is volcanic, porous, and well draining which forces the vines to struggle and put all of their efforts into the fruit. Given the warm sunny days and cool nightly breezes, the area has a significant diurnal temperature variation. The region is known for Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Sauvignon Blanc.
Big Valley District - Lake County received its designation as an AVA in 2013. Situated on 11,000 acres, Big Valley Lake County is a sub-appellation of the Lake County AVA. Located to the west of Clear Lake, the terrain of Big Valley is mostly flat and contains alluvial clay soils from the lake and volcanic soils eroded from Mt. Konocti. Due to its proximity to the water table, the soil in Big Valley is poor draining and the vines run the risk of flooding and becoming supersaturated with water. Clear Lake serves as a major influencer in the region, moderating temperatures creating the cooler climate. During the height of the growing season, cool breezes from the lake help to cool the vineyards during the warm afternoon, slowing the ripening process and ensuring grapes achieve good acidity balance. The soil and temperature of Big Valley Lake County make the region perfect for Sauvignon Blanc production.
Atlas Peak received its designation as an AVA in 1992. Sitting on 15,000 acres, it is a sub-appellation of the Napa Valley AVA. Atlas Peak's signature feature is its higher elevation than most of the growing regions in Napa Valley, allowing the vines to sit above the fog line and receive a few extended hours of direct sunlight daily. The warm sunny days and cool nightly breezes create a diurnal temperature variation of 30 degrees allowing the grapes to take longer to ripen, giving the fruit its signature depth of flavor and balanced acidity. The soil is volcanic, porous, and well draining which forces the vines to struggle and put all of their efforts into the fruit, concentrating the flavors. The area is known for its production of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Syrah, Zinfandel, and Chardonnay.
Temecula Valley received its designation as an AVA in 1984. Situated on 33,000 acres, Temecula Valley is located in Riverside County. The soils in the region are made from decomposing granite that are a light sandy loam. These soils contribute to clean, pure varietal flavors without odd or herbaceous flavors that wetter soil may cause. The region receives warm daily sunlight and has the benefit of the cooling Santa Ana winds. The Mediterranean climate makes the region perfect for growing Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and Syrah.
Fair Play received its designation as an AVA in 2001. Situated on 23,198 acres, Fair Play is a sub-appellation of the El Dorado AVA. Centered on the town of Placerville, Fair Play's growing regions sit at 2,000 to 3,000 feet above sea level. Soils in the region are largely loam based and well draining. The climate in Fair Play features warm days followed by cold nights. The altitude allows the vines extra hours of sunshine and warm temperatures during the day, but also allows them to cool down at night. This diurnal cycle keeps the grapes from ripening too quickly and allows for the wines to develop their balanced acidity and tannin structure. The region is known for its production of Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah.
The Chalk Hill AVA is located in Sonoma County, California near the town of Windsor and is a sub-region of the Russian River Valley AVA. Chalk Hill became an AVA in 1988, and its name derives from the region's distinctive volcanic soil of chalky ash. The volcanic soil has given Chalk Hill a distinctive flavor to its white wine varietals like Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. The Chalk Hill AVA consists of 1,650 acres, most of which are on the slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains between 200 and 1,300 feet. The climate of the region is considered warm for the Russian River Valley, which combined with the relatively infertile soil, causes the grapes to struggle slightly in their development. This combination of infertile soil and a moderate climate leads to a late harvest and complex fruit flavors. Chalk Hill is known best for producing Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.
Napa Valley received its designation as an AVA in 1981. Situated on 43,000 acres, Napa Valley is home to sub-appellations Los Carneros, Howell Mountain, Wild Horse Valley, Stags Leap District, Mt. Veeder, Atlas Peak, Spring Mountain District, Oakville, Rutherford, St. Helena, Chiles Valley, Yountville, Diamond Mountain District, Coombsville, Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley, and Calistoga. The Napa Valley floor is flanked by the Mayacamas Mountain Range on the western and northern sides the Vaca Mountains on the eastern side. The floor of the main valley gradually rises from sea level at the southern end to 362 feet above sea level at the northern end in Calistoga at the foot of Mount Saint Helena. The Oakville and Rutherford AVAs lie within a geographical area known as the Rutherford Bench in the center of the valley floor. The soil at the southern end of the valley consists mainly of sediments deposited by earlier advances and retreats of San Pablo Bay while the soil at the northern end of the valley contains a large volume of volcanic lava and ash. Several microclimates exist within the area due to various weather and geographical influences in the different sub-appellations. The open southern end of the valley floor is cooler during the growing season due to the proximity of San Pablo Bay while the sheltered, closed northern end is often much warmer. The eastern side of the valley tends to be arid because winter storms tend to drop much more precipitation on the western mountains and hills. Napa Valley is known for its world-class production of Cabernet Sauvignon but also produces Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir,Zinfandel, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc.
The Knights Valley AVA is located on 37,000 acres in Sonoma County, California. Knights Valley was formally designated an AVA in 1983. The region is the eastern most region of Sonoma before you reach Napa County. Like much of Sonoma, the soil in the Knights Valley is volcanic and well draining. Knights Valley has the distinction of being the warmest climate in Sonoma County. The valley is free from coastal breezes that are frequently found in Sonoma and results in an ideal climate for growing Cabernet Sauvignon. In addition to Cabernet Sauvignon, the region produces Malbec, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and world-class Sauvignon Blanc.
Kelsey Bench - Lake County received its designation as an AVA in 2013. Located on 2,338 acres, Kelsey Bench is a sub-appellation of the Lake County AVA. Kelsey Bench consists of red volcanic soils of eroded fertile blocks of clay and loam from Big Valley, resulting in wide swaths of gravel deposits and well-draining soils. Warm days are offset by afternoon breezes carried down from the ridges of the Mayacamas mountains. The afternoon cooling of the region often results in 50-degree diurnal cycles, a key to retaining acidity in mature wine grapes. The region is known for its production of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier, Riesling, Cabernet Franc, Zinfandel, and Merlot.
High Valley AVA is located in the most eastern part of Lake County, California and contains an extinct volcano. The valley sits between elevations of 1,600 feet to 3,000 feet. The High Valley AVA has a wide variance of growing regions between the valley basin and elevated hillsides. The valley in inundated by cold winds which keeping the valley cool. Like much of Lake County, the High Valley is known for its alluvial fans in the valley and hilltop benches, which provide a the area with a variety of growing regions. The warmer volcanic soils of the hillsides are known for their Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon while the cool sandy valley floor provide well-drained beds for varieties such as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
The Green Valley of Russian River Valley AVA is located on 19,000 acres in Sonoma County, California. The Green Valley of Russian River Valley received its AVA distinction in 1983. The area is known for its sandy and well-draining soil and low fertility, causing the grapes to develop slowly on the vine and retain balance and acidity. The region is a sub-appellation of the Russian River Valley AVA, and its close proximity to the Pacific Ocean breeze and fog make it one of the coolest appellations within Sonoma County. The cold climate in the Green Valley favors the cultivation of cool climate varietals like Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Riesling.
The Covelo AVA is located in northern Mendocino County, California. The region is unique in that it only has 2 acres planted with vines. Despite its modest production, it was granted AVA status on February 16, 2006, based purely on the unique climate conditions of the area. Located 45 miles north of Ukiah, California the area is relatively flat and built upon deep layers of sandy clay soil. What makes Covelo special is it has high mountain peaks surrounding the valley shielding it from the maritime effects of the Pacific Ocean. The growing season here is one of the shortest in Mendocino County, and the area has one of the largest diurnal temperature variations in Mendocino. The Covelo region currently has no wines commercially available.
The Cole Ranch AVA is located in Mendocino County, California. At less than a quarter of a square mile, it has the distinction of being the smallest appellation in the United States. Cole Ranch is named for John Cole who founded the region in 1971 and operated it for twelve years before it gained AVA status in 1983. John Cole eventually sold Cole Ranch to Esterlina Vineyards & Winery, who currently own all planted land in the AVA. Cole Ranch is located just outside of Ukiah, California, on 189 acres between the Russian River and Anderson Valley. The region produces Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Riesling.
The Chiles Valley received its AVA status in 1999 is a sub-appellation of the Napa Valley AVA. The Chiles Valley is located on 6,000 acres in the Vaca Mountains on the northeast side of Napa Valley. The vines in the Chiles Valley grow around 1,700 feet above sea level, and the area has a warmer climate, free from the fog and coastal winds that are prevalent in other portions of Napa Valley. The region is known for Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, and Sauvignon Blanc.
The Bennett Valley AVA is located in Sonoma County, California and was granted AVA status in 2003. The Bennet Valley currently has under 700 acres planted with vineyards, giving the area small production yields annually compared to neighboring AVAs. Surrounded by the Sonoma Mountains and located south of Santa Rosa, Bennet Valley receives cool coastal fog and breezes that sweep into the area from the Pacific Ocean. The AVA features well-draining beach-land soils, which force the vines to create deep roots in search of water. The soils and temperature of the region make it particularly well-suited for growing cool climate varietals, such as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Even though the region is not ideally suited for warmer climate varietals, the Bennet Valley has shown quite a bit of diversity in its ability to produce high-quality Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Grenache, Merlot, and Syrah.
The Anderson Valley AVA is located in Mendocino County, California and cuts laterally through the coastal range. The west end of the Valley is only 15 miles from the Pacific Ocean, taking advantage of the cooling maritime effects. The eastern end of the Valley features a more moderate inland temperature. The foggy mornings give way to sunny and warm days only to return to cold nights, which allow the grapes slowly reach their maturation and develop the deep complex flavors characteristic of wines from this region. The soils of the AVA vary from sandy to gravelly loam and are very well draining, allowing the vines to develop a deep root structure and ensuring the vines do not become waterlogged. Elevation ranges from zero to 2,500 feet above sea level with an annual rainfall of 35 to 80 inches. While the Anderson Valley has an average annual temperature of 53 degrees, there is a wide diurnal cycle that can reach 50 degrees between the day and night temperatures. The mix of sun, fog, well-draining soil, maritime winds and a long growing season make the Anderson Valley one of the most famous and successful Pinot Noir growing regions in the United States. Aside from Pinot Noir, there are also producers of Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer and Syrah in the Valley.
The Livermore Valley received its AVA designation in 1982. Sitting on 96,000 acres, the Livermore Valley is surrounding the city of Livermore in the East San Francisco Bay Area. The soil in Livermore is gravel based and well draining. The layout of the vineyards is an east-west orientation, unlike many other winegrowing valleys. Due to its proximity to the San Francisco Bay, there is a steady, cool breeze that flows through the valley offsetting the heat of the sunny days. This results in a large diurnal temperature swing between day and night, sometimes swinging as much as 20 degrees. The region is best known for Petite Sirah, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Merlot, and Syrah.
The Moon Mountain District Sonoma County is located on 17,000 acres in Sonoma, California and was designated as an AVA in 2013. Sitting in the high elevations above Los Carneros, the mountain has hills building upon themselves from 400 ft in elevation all the way to 2,200 feet above sea level. Being one of the most eastern points in the Sonoma Valley AVA, Moon Mountain shares a borderline with Napa Valley's Mt. Veeder AVA. The soil on Moon Mountain is volcanic in its origin and is well draining. The varying elevations mean the different pockets of terroir on the mountain vary from cool fog and winds off the San Pablo Bay and the Pacific Ocean to prolonged sun exposure in the higher elevations. The signature wines of the region are Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel.
Fun fact: This appellation got its name from a Jack London book, "Valley of the Moon". Residents couldn't understand why there was a valley but no mountain of the moon and petitioned the United States Geological Survey to designate one. After 57 years, it was designated in 2008.
Madera received its designation as an AVA in 1987. Situated on 230,000 acres, Madera is a part of both Madera and Fresno Counties. With 38,000 acres currently under vine, Madera is one of the largest growing regions in California. Madera sits on a long alluvial fan and is fed by both the San Joaquin and Fresno Rivers. The region receives yearlong sunshine and has a warm climate. Because of the nutrient rich soil, the abundance of sunshine and access to water, fruit ripens quickly on the vine producing low acidity. The dominant grape in Madera is Muscat, but the region also produces Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The region is best known for its dessert wines and Port.
Here at Qorkz we like wine, food, and sharing our experiences with other wine lovers. We are thrilled to offer our new blog Qorkscru to share the joy of wine culture, along with the great stories and products of our wineries and winemakers. Cheers from our wineries the whole Qorkz team and we hope you enjoy Qorkscru!
