Seiad Valley - Wine Region of the Day

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Seiad Valley by Gretchen Miller Neuman for Qorkz.

Seiad Valley received its designation as an AVA in 1994. Located on 2,248 acres in Siskiyou County, Seiad Valley is California's northernmost appellation and is found along the banks of the Klamath River. The soil in Seiad Valley is alluvial in nature, and the growing region sits between 700 and 3,000 feet above sea level. The region is heavily dotted with boulders and rocky terrain. There are currently no wineries producing in the Seiad Valley.  The one winery that was located there closed after residents objected to a tasting room in their town.

Templeton Gap District - Wine Region of the Day

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Templeton Gap District by David Toomey for Qorkz. 

The Templeton Gap District is nestled between the Paso Robles Willow Creek District and the El Pomar District near Templeton, California.  The Templeton Gap consists of a series of mountain passes created by rivers and creeks in the Santa Lucia Range through which marine air flows into the region.  This is referred to as a water gap in Geology.  The name “Templeton Gap” was coined by Ken Volk of Wild Horse Winery to describe the area and has since been adopted by the fellow winemakers and the local real estate industry. 

The Templeton Gap is the coolest climate of the Paso Robles sub-appellations and receives approximately 20 inches of precipitation per year. The water gap allows marine influences to enter the region which moderate the daily temperatures and increase the amount of time that it takes for grapes to ripen.  The elevations in the area range from 700 to 1,800 feet above sea level with the majority of the wineries located between 800 and 940 feet.

The location of the vineyards is largely along the wide terraced banks of the Paso Robles Creek and Salinas River.  The soils were created by alluvium of the Monterey Formation and are largely made up ofsilty and clay loans though there are some older soils produced from the Paso Robles Formation that are more cemented and shaly.  Grapes produced include Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignane, Charbono, Chardonnay, Grenache, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Primitivo, Sangiovese, Syrah, Tempranillo, Viognier and Zinfandel.

January 9th - This Date in Wine History

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Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson

Wine has a long established history of being our drink of choice for celebrating, entertaining, and savoring life; but it didn't start out that way. From the invention of the barrel to the designation of the separate viticultural areas, wine has a long and sorted history.  In our daily feature This Date In Wine History, we share an event of critical importance in wine history.

Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson was given a state funeral in 1806.  He died several months earlier at the battle of Trafalgar but was preserved in a barrel of Brandy mixed with camphor and myrrh.

The Barbera d'Asti, Barbera del Monferrato, and Rubino di Cantavenna DOC were created in 1970.

The Bianco Valdinievole DOC was established in 1976;

The Lacrima di Morro d'Alba DOC was created in 1985. 

The Rosso Conero Reserve DOCG designation were established in 2004.

San Lucas - Wine Region of the Day

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San Lucas wine region by David Toomey for Qorkz.

San Lucas received its designation as an AVA in 1987. Sitting on 33,920 acres, the region is a sub-appellation of Monterey. The soil of the region is shale and loam, situated on benches and terraces between 200 and 1,200 feet. San Lucas has one of the largest diurnal temperature swings in all of California, with thirty-degree fluctuations being common. The change in temperature makes for a longer growing season and gives the fruit extra time on the vine to ripen and balance its acidity. San Lucas is known for producing excellent Cabernet Sauvignon, along with Merlot, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

Monterey - Wine Region of the Day

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Photo of Monterey by David Toomey for Qorkz.

The Monterey region received its AVA designation in 1984. Monterey is a larger region and contains the sub-appelations of Arroyo Seco, Hames Valley, San Bernabe, San Lucas, and the Santa Lucia Highlands. The region covers over 100 miles and spans from Monterey Bay to Paso Robles. The majority of the production in Monterey is Chardonnay, but Pinot Noir Merlot, and Riesling are also produced here.

Arroyo Grande Valley - Wine Region of the Day

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Photo of Arroyo Grande Valley by David Toomey for Qorkz.

Located in the southeastern portion of San Luis Obispo county, the Arroyo Grande Valley is a study in opposites.  The land is largely made of marine sediments that are part of the Franciscan formation but is crisscrossed with volcanic intrusions and faults.  The weather is largely warm and dry but marked with a fog line that separates cooler and wetter microclimates from those that are warmer and drier.  Naturally this carries over into their wine making, with part of the valley producing Bordeaux and Mediterranean varietals being produced at the far end of the valley and Pinot Noir,  Chardonnay and Riesling. 

Cienega Valley - Wine Region of the Day

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Cienega Valley by David Toomey for Qorkz.

The Cienega Valley received its designation as an AVA in 1982. Located at an elevation of 1,100 feet above sea level, the soil of the region is divided by the San Andreas fault. Soil to the east of the fault consists of granite and sandstone, but to the west, the soil consists of granite and limestone. The Cienega Valley has warm, sunny days and cool nights, allowing the grapes to develop bright flavors and even tannins while retaining acidity levels. The region is known for its production of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignane, Chardonnay, Dolcetto, Grenache, Merlot, Negrette, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Syrah, and Zinfandel.

Malibu Coast - Wine Region of the Day

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Photo of the Malibu Coast by David Toomey for Qorkz.

Containing the smaller Malibu-Newton Canyon and Saddle Rock Malibu appellations, the Malibu Coast AVA was created in 2014.  Ironically, due to its size this  the last of the three Malibu appellations adopted.  The region has been producing wine since the 1820's when Spanish General Jose Bartolome Tapia settled the property now known as Serra Retreat.  Currently, the area is home to more than fifty vineyards producing mainly Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot and Syrah.

Pine Mountain-Cloverdale Peak - Wine Region of the Day

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Photo of Pine Mountain-Cloverdale Peak by David Toomey for Qorkz.

The Pine Mountain-Cloverdale AVA is located on 4,750 acres at the top of Pine Mountain in Sonoma, California. It received its AVA designation in 2012, making it one of California's newest. Pine Mountain, which rises between 1,600 feet at its lowest point to 2,600 feet at its highest, is one of the highest grape-growing regions in California. Pine Mountain has rocky shallow well-draining volcanic soils located on the steep hillsides of the mountain. With its lowest growing plot at an elevation of 1,600 feet, the vines sit well above the fog line that permeates much of Sonoma. The region is known for its high-quality production of Cabernet Sauvignon.

Central Coast - Wine Region of the Day

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Central Coast

Photo of the Central Coast by David Toomey for Qorkz.

Photo of the Central Coast by David Toomey for Qorkz.

The Central Coast was designated as an AVA in 1985. Situated across 280 miles from San Francisco to Santa Barbara, the Central Coast is home to sub-appellations Arroyo Grande Valley, Arroyo Seco, Ballard Canyon, Ben Lomond Mountain, Carmel Valley, Chalone, Cienega Valley, Edna Valley, Hames Valley, Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara, Lime Kiln Valley, Livermore Valley, Monterey, Mt. Harlan, Pacheco Pass, Paicines, Paso Robles, San Antonio Valley, San Benito, San Bernabe, San Francisco Bay, San Lucas, San Ysidro District, Santa Clara Valley, Santa Cruz Mountains, Santa Lucia Highlands, Santa Maria Valley, Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Ynez Valley, and York Mountain. The Central Coast is so vast that it features a variety of soil types and microclimates across its sub-appellations. The most common vines planted across the Central Coast are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc.

Paso Robles - Wine Region of the Day

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Paso Robles

Photo of Paso Robles by David Toomey for Qorkz. 

Paso Robles received its designation as an AVA in 1983. Sitting on 666,618 acres in San Luis Obispo County, Paso Robles is home to eleven sub-districts, including: Adelaida District, Creston District, El Pomar District, Paso Robles Estrella District, Paso Robles Geneseo District, Paso Robles Highlands District, Paso Robles Willow Creek District, San Juan Creek, San Miguel District, Santa Margarita Ranch, and Templeton Gap District. By far the largest region in San Luis Obispo County, Paso Robles has over 19,000 acres under vine. The region features a mixture of silica clay and chalky lime soils. Closer to the Pacific, the western edge of Paso Robles has warm daytime temperatures, often topping 90 degrees during the peak of the growing season. The grapes are cooled by the maritime breezes coming in off the Pacific Ocean. Moving east across the region, the climate becomes more aired and drier than its western counterpart. In the east, fruit ripens more quickly than in the west, giving it bright flavors with low acidity and tannin structure. The more famous western region features a longer growing season allowing the fruit to take its time to ripen and develop a balance of acidity and tannin. Cabernet Sauvignon is the varietal that is most prevalent in the eastern regions of Paso Robles while Rhone varietals such as Viognier and Syrah dominate the west. In all, there are over 40 grape varietals grown in Paso Robles, and the region has become well known for its blends.

Coombsville - Wine Region of the Day

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COOMBSVILLE

Coombsville photo by David Toomey for Qorkz

Coombsville received its designation as an AVA in 2011. Situated on 11,000 acres, Coombsville is a sub-appellation of the Napa Valley AVA. Coombsville ranges in elevation from near sea level at the Napa River on the west to 1,900 feet at the ridge of the Vaca Mountain Range. The Coombsville soils consist of rock, gravel and, some areas are layered with volcanic ash generated from the slow erosion of nearby Mount George. Proximity to San Pablo Bay contributes cooling effects of marine air and fog occurring almost daily during the growing season, maintaining a constant cool temperature to offset the warm daily sun. This allows for a longer growing season than other Napa Valley growing regions and allows the fruit the time on the vine required to develop a strong balance of tannin and acidity. Like most of Napa Valley, the region is dominated by the production of Cabernet Sauvignon, but also produces Chardonnay, Syrah, and Pinot Noir.

Fiddletown - Wine Region of the Day

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FIDDLETOWN

Photo of Fiddletown Wine Region by David Toomey for Qorkz

Fiddletown received its designation as an AVA in 1983. Situated on 12,044 acres, Fiddletown is a sub-appellation of the larger Sierra Foothills AVA and is located in Amador County. The terrain of Fiddletown is hilly with most vines situated between 1,500 and 2,500 feet above sea level. The soils are made up of decomposed granite and volcanic material, are well draining and not nutrient dense; leading to smaller yields in production, forcing the vines to put all their efforts into the fruit, developing deep rich flavors. Fiddletown doesn't receive the benefit of cooling Pacific Ocean breezes like many of its neighbors, but its high elevation results in a cooling effect in the evening to combat the dry, hot daily temperatures. This cooling results in a longer growing period and allows for the fruit to stay on the vine longer and develop the balance in sugar and acidity. The region is known for its old vine Zinfandel but also produces Grenache, Petite Sirah, and Barbera.

Manton Valley - Wine Region Of The Day

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Manton Valley 

Manton Valley received its designation as an AVA in 2014. Situated on 9,800 acres, Manton Valley is located in Tehama and Shasta Counties in Northern California. The region is known for its distinctive red volcanic soils, which are mostly a gravelly loam. The terrain is mostly foothills with growing elevations between 2,000 and 3,000 feet. The Manton Valley is washed in daily sunlight and is dry and arid during the day. The nearby mountains provide a cooling effect on the region, lowering the nightly temperature and creating a large diurnal swing. This diurnal swing allows the grapes to stay on the vine longer and develop a balanced acidity and tannin structure. The region is known for its production of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Gewurztraminer, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon.

 

Alexander Valley - Wine Region Of The Day

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Alexander Valley 

The Alexander Valley AVA is located north of Healdsburg in Sonoma County and was granted status as an AVA in 1984. The Alexander Valley is the largest wine region in all of Sonoma and is also the most heavily planted. The Russian River flows through the valley, surrounded by vineyards on both sides, leading to a very picturesque setting. The signature alluvial soil of the region allows a variety of different vines to flourish here. The Russian River provides early morning fog that covers the lower vineyard areas until it burned off by the morning sun. During the afternoon, the Alexander Valley is one of the hottest areas in Northern California but come evening, the valley cools down significantly. The wide diurnal temperature cycle allows fruit to ripen slowly and retain acidity, leading to a more balanced wine. Wines from the Alexander Valley are known for their luxurious mouth feel and bright flavors. The Alexander Valley produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Merlot, Sangiovese, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay.

Saddle Rock Malibu - Wine Region Of The Day

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Saddle Rock - Malibu

Saddle Rock - Malibu received its designation as an AVA in 2006. Situated on 2,100 acres, Saddle Rock-Malibu is located high in the Santa Monica Mountains in Los Angeles County. Located just 5 miles from the Pacific Ocean, Saddle Rock's growing region sits at an elevation of 2,000 feet above sea level. Saddle Rock - Malibu has sandy, rocky soil, which is well draining and forces the grapes to dig their roots deep into the ground in search of water. The region is washed in sunlight during the day, but its high elevation allows for cooling nighttime effects that lengthen the growing season, allowing the fruit to develop good acidity balance. The hot days of Saddle Rock-Malibu make the region ideal for growing Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Zinfandel.