Redwood Valley - Wine Region of the Day
/Redwood Valley
Photo of the Redwood Valley by David Toomey for Qorkz
The Redwood Valley AVA is located in Mendocino County, California. The earliest vineyards in the Redwood Valley were planted by Greek and Italian immigrants in the 1880s. The vines in the Redwood Valley sit on benches above the waters of the Russian River where the soils were well-drained, the climate permitted the grapes to mature, but was still cool enough to allow the grapes to ripen slowly to enhance the deep, rich flavors of the grapes. Given the cooler climate, the fruit must sit on the vines longer to ripen, requiring a later harvest than other AVAs in the area.
Quick facts: Jim Jones' People Temple was located in the area for a while because it was thought that the valley could survive nuclear war and the notorious highwayman, Black Bart roamed the roads.