Chiles Valley - Wine Region of the Day

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Photo of Chiles Valley by David Toomey for Qorkz.

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.

Red Hills Lake County - Wine Region of the Day

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Red Hills Lake County by David Toomey for Qorkz.

The Red Hills Lake County AVA is located on 31,250 acres in Lake County, California. The wine region is southwest of Clear Lake, at the foot of Mount Konocti, which is an active volcano. True to its name, Red Hills consists of rolling hills between elevations of 1,400 feet and 3,000 feet. The Red Hills receive an average of between 25 inches and 40 inches of rainfall each year. The volcanic soils of the region give the vines their signature minerality. In particular, the soils are known to be strewn with volcanic glass called obsidian which was created when Mount Konocti erupted and lava flowed into Clear Lake cooling it instantly.  The region is known for its red wines, specifically Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel.

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.

2014 Cal Star Cellars Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County - Wine of the Day

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2014 CAL STAR CELLARS SAUVIGNON BLANC, SONOMA COUNTY

$20

Pale straw gold in color, the 2014 Sauvignon Blanc is the sum of three distinct parts.  At first, bold citrus and tropical notes dominate: Meyer lemon, grapefruit, lychee, honeydew melon, pineapple and kiwi.  Secondary notes balance the fruit with lemongrass, clover and a hint of sweet ginger.  Tertiary flavors of wet rock, shortbread and vanilla round the palette and draw the juicy tropical notes through the finish.  The bright acidity brings focus to the lush citrus and ripe fruit notes while finishing with bright key lime and stony minerality. 

Fountaingrove District - Wine Region of the Day

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Photo of the Fountaingrove District by David Toomey for Qorkz.

The Fountaingrove District received its designation as an AVA in 2015. Situated on 38,000 acres, Fountaingrove is located in Sonoma County. Most of the soils are derived from Sonoma Volcanic and Franciscan Formation bedrock and consist of volcanic materials, such as pumiceous ash flow tuff and basalt lava. The Fountaingrove District is located on the western slopes of the Mayacmas Mountains and features low, rolling hills as well as higher, steeper mountains with southwest-facing slopes. The Sonoma Mountains, along the region's southwestern boundary, shelter Fountaingrove from the strongest marine breezes and heaviest fog, but an air gap in the mountains does allow some cooling air and fog into the region. The moderate temperatures within the Fountaingrove District are suitable for growing Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Zinfandel, Syrah, and Viognier grape varieties.

Dunnigan Hills - Wine Region of the Day

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DUNNIGAN HILLS

Photo of the Dunnigan Hills by David Toomey for Qorkz.

Dunnigan Hills received its designation as an AVA in 1993. Situated across 89,000 acres, Dunnigan Hills is located in the northwest portion of Yolo County. The terrain of Dunnigan Hills features rolling hills with elevations between 200 and 500 feet above sea level. The soils of the region vary from gravelly loams and sandy loams over sandstone to silt. The climate of the region is recognized for its warm days and cool nights, offering a diurnal temperature swing of up to twenty degrees. This change between day and nighttime temperatures allow for a longer growing season and allow the fruit time to develop their tannin structure and acidity. The region is known for its production of Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Tempranillo, and Viognier.

Jahant - Wine Region of the Day

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Jahant

Photo of the Jahant Region by David Toomey for Qorkz. 

Jahant received its designation as an AVA in 2006. Sitting on 28,000 acres, Jahant is a sub-appellation to the Lodi AVA. Jahant features it's own unique soil named the Rocklin-Jahant loam soil. Rocklin-Jahant soil is known for its retention of water, meaning that the grapes in this region can be dry farmed. Dry farming vines leads to less water making it into the grape itself, concentrating the fruit and leading to a deep, complex flavor. Jahant is located in close proximity to the Sacramento Delta and receives the benefits of the cooling maritime winds flowing off the Delta. These winds cool the hot daytime sun and allow for a longer growing season than much of the rest of Lodi. The region is known for its production of Tempranillo and Sauvignon Blanc.

South Coast - Wine Region of the Day

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SOUTH COAST

Image of the South Coast Wine Region by David Toomey for Qorkz. 

The South Coast received its designation as an AVA in 1985. Situated over 2,237,503 acres, the South Coast includes sub-appellations Cucamonga Valley, Malibu-Newton Canyon, Ramona Valley, Saddle Rock-Malibu, San Pasqual Valley, and Temecula Valley. There is an array of soil types and microclimates across the South Coast, allowing the region to show its diversity in the production of many different varietals. The region produces Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Muscat Canelli, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Tempranillo, Trebbiano, Viognier, and Zinfandel.

Hames Valley - Wine Region of the Day

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HAMES VALLEY

Photo of the Hames Valley by David Toomey for Qorkz.

The Hames Valley received its designation as an AVA in 1994 and is situated on 10,240 acres in Monterey County in the foothills of the Santa Lucia Mountain Range. The Hames Valley soil is shale and loam. The regions has the largest diurnal temperature swing of any AVA in Monterey County. The grapes are exposed to a great deal of sunlight during the day, and receive some of the cooling effects of the Pacific Ocean breezes in the evenings. The region is best known for producing Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc.