Northern Sonoma - Wine Region of the Day

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Northern Sonoma received its designation as an AVA in 1990. Situated over 329,000 acres, Northern Sonoma is home to sub-appellations Alexander Valley, Chalk Hill, Dry Creek Valley, Green Valley of Russian River Valley, Knights Valley, Rockpile, Russian River Valley, and Sonoma Coast.  It is the second largest appellation within Sonoma County.  It contains myriad elevations, soil types and climates.  It was designated, in large part to allow the term, "Estate" to be applied to vintages from large producers like Gallo and Rodney Strong but is home to some small producers as well.  The primary grape produced in this area is Cabernet Sauvignon but Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel are grown here as well.

Chalk Hill - Wine Region of the Day

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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.

Fountaingrove District - Wine Region of the Day

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Fountaingrove District

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 consists 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

Sonoma Mountain - Wine Region of the Day

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Sonoma Mountain

The Sonoma Mountain AVA is located in Sonoma County, California. It is centered on the Sonoma Mountain a folded volcanic uplift.   The appellation is included in the Sonoma Valley AVA, but due to its unique elevation and geology, it was granted status as its own AVA in 1985. 

The area is known primarily for its high elevation benches.  These contain folds that create diverse micro-climates which are home to cooler climate grapes.  Primarily the area is known for thermal flows of cooler, moister air that moves down into the valley.  A southern aspect, meaning the vineyards get a more sunshine during the day.  The region sits above the fog which also increases that sunlight. This makes the area perfect for Cabernet Sauvignon.

The region's soil is a mix of basalt, ash and ancient marine deposits that were uplifted along with the volcanic rocks.  They typically consist of the Goulding Series and are cobbly to gravelly loams and are well draining.  

Sonoma Mountain is home to relatively few wineries but is the source of high-quality fruit.  The combination of the terror and the climate make this region perfect for growing Cabernet Sauvignon, and it is the region's signature wine. In addition to Cabernet Sauvignon, the region known for Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, and Zinfandel.

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

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2014 Cal Star Cellars Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County

 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. 
 
With a long, cool growing season, the cool climate of the Russian River Valley keeps wines crisp while allowing the natural character of the climate to shine through.   The picturesque Crinella Marino vineyard is located in one of the warmer areas of the Russian River Valley and experiences less rain and weather challenges than many other sites in the region.
 
The grapes offer a combination of a sophisticated Sancerre of the Loire Valley and the grassier New Zealand selections.  This is a California wine for a Sauvignon Blanc enthusiast.

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

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2014 Calstar Cellars Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County

2014 Calstar 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. 

With a long, cool growing season, the cool climate of the Russian River Valley keeps wines crisp while allowing the natural character of the climate to shine through.   The picturesque Crinella Marino vineyard is located in one of the warmer areas of the Russian River Valley and experiences less rain and weather challenges than many other sites in the region.
 
The grapes offer a combination of a sophisticated Sancerre of the Loire Valley and the grassier New Zealand selections.  This is a California wine for a Sauvignon Blanc enthusiast.

Northern Sonoma - Wine Region of the Day

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Northern Sonoma received its designation as an AVA in 1990. Situated over 329,000 acres, Northern Sonoma is home to sub-appellations Alexander Valley, Chalk Hill, Dry Creek Valley, Green Valley of Russian River Valley, Knights Valley, Rockpile, Russian River Valley, and Sonoma Coast.  It is the second largest appellation within Sonoma County.  It contains myriad elevations, soil types and climates.  It was designated, in large part to allow the term, "Estate" to be applied to vintages from large producers like Gallo and Rodney Strong but is home to some small producers as well.  The primary grape produced in this area is Cabernet Sauvignon but Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel are grown here as well.

Moon Mountain District Sonoma County - Wine Region of the Day

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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.

2011 Petrified Forest Cabernet Sauvignon - Wine of the Day

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2011 Petrified Forest Cabernet Sauvignon

 2011 Petrified Forest Cabernet Sauvignon

$48

"Aromas of black cherry, pepper, cola, and toasty oak.  Rich and silky texture with firm but yielding tannins.  The blackberry and black cherry fruit is complemented by the spice, pepper, and oak notes.  Drinking nicely now, but will age well for 10 years or more."  Leigh Meyering, winemaker (January, 2014).

2009 Petrified Forest Vineyards Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc

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 2009 Petrified Forest Vineyards Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc

$39

"Wonderful floral aromas give way to flavors of pineapple, apricots, and citrus.  Its clean, crisp finish and just the right amount of sweetness make this wine the perfect accompaniment to both sweet and savory food pairings."  Baci Cafe & Wine Bar (2012).

Late harvest wines have always captivated our imagination. When we purchased our property in Knights Valley in 1987, the existing Sauvignon blanc vineyard surprised us with an area that provided the necessary conditions for botrytis cinerea each harvest. This “noble rot” has allowed us to coax an amazingly complex wine from our tiny hillside vineyard. Once only produced for family and close friends, we can now share the fruit of our passion with you.

Dry Creek Valley - Wine Region of the Day

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The Dry Creek Valley AVA is located on 9,000 acres in Sonoma County, California. Dry Creek received its designation as an AVA in 1983. The region is located northwest of the town of Healdsburg on Dry Creek, a tributary of the Russian River. The areas signature loamy soil is well drained and fertile dirt that produces good crops of flavorful grapes. The nearby coastal mountain range keeps cool marine temperatures at bay, allowing for daily high temperatures during the height of the growing season. The surrounding mountains provide a channel for the coastal breezes and fog to come in at night, dramatically dropping temperatures. The long, warm days allow the fruit to ripen fully while cool evenings enable the grapes to mature slowly and retain their acidity and balance. The region is perfectly suited to the production of Zinfandel and, as a result, Zinfandel grapes have been grown here for over 140 years. In addition to Zinfandel, the region has become quite famous for its world-class production of Sauvignon Blanc.

Rockpile - Wine Region of the Day

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The Rockpile AVA is located on 15,400 acres in Sonoma County, California. The AVA was established in 2002 and is located northwest of the town of Healdsburg. The name originates from a local mountain top named Rockpile Peak. The mountain has a steep elevation of over 800 feet above sea level. The steep slope of the Rockpile area is an average of 18 inches deep with small rocks and gravel mixed in the soil, which allows for excellent drainage. All of the elements of the soil combine to cause the vines to struggle mightily to produce, giving vines from Rockpile low yields and intense fruit flavors. The high elevation of the region means that the vines are above the fog line that creeps in from the Pacific Ocean and makes for a very moderate climate. The area is most well known for its production of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, and Zinfandel.

Rockpile Ranch was founded in 1867 by Tennessee Carter Bishop who started as a sheep farm but later planted the first wine grapes in the area in 1872.  He was joined in the endeavor by S.P. Hallengren whose descendants continue to produce wine grapes in the appellation.

February 26th - This Date in Wine History

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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.

  • Musician Jonathan Cain was born in 1950. He is owner of delaCain Vineyards in Sonoma County.
  • California's Fair Play AVA was designated in 2001.
  • Oregon and Washington's Walla Walla Valley AVA was designated in 2001.

North Coast - Wine Region of the Day

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The North Coast received its designation as an AVA in 1981. North Coast is a super AVA encompassing grape-growing regions in six counties: Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, Sonoma, and Solano. This large appellation covers over 3,000,000 acres and includes some smaller sub-appellations that all share the common ecology trait of having its weather affected by the cool fog and breezes from the Pacific Ocean. The sub-appellations include: Alexander Valley, Anderson Valley, Atlas Peak, Bennett Valley, Benmore Valley, Big Valley Lake County, Calistoga, Chalk Hill, Chiles Valley, Clear Lake, Cole Ranch, Coombsville, Diamond Mountain District, Dos Rios, Dry Creek Valley, Eagle Peak - Mendocino County, Fort Ross-Seaview, Fountaingrove District, Green Valley of Russian River Valley, Guenoc Valley, High Valley, Howell Mountain, Kelsey Bench-Lake County, Knights Valley, Los Carneros, McDowell Valley, Mendocino, Mendocino Ridge, Moon Mountain District Sonoma County, Mt. Veeder, Napa Valley, Northern Sonoma, Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley, Oakville, Petaluma Wind Gap, Pine Mountain-Cloverdale, Potter Valley, Red Hills Lake County, Redwood Valley, Rockpile, Russian River Valley, Rutherford, Solano County Green Valley, Sonoma Coast, Sonoma Mountain, Sonoma Valley, Spring Mountain District, St. Helena, Stags Leap District, Suisun Valley, Wild Horse Valley, Yorkville Highlands, and Yountville.

Bennett Valley - Wine Region of the Day

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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.

2010 Petrified Forest Cabernet Sauvignon - Wine of the Day

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2010 Petrified Forest Cabernet Sauvignon

$48

"Dark red magenta in the glass, it's dark and yet bright.  The purity on the nose is impressive, with ripeness perfected and the oak balanced.  There's a sweet core of fruit on the palate, chock full of dark red cherries, cassis, wet tobacco and sweet earth.  60+second finish that has nice tannic grip without being 'drying'.  Impressively rich in all the right places, the wine continues to evolve with air, telling me that a two-hour decant is probably wise.  Drink now and for 7-8 more years for optimum drinking."  Chris at Calwine.  (Dec.2014)

"Don't fear the herbs.  This savory wine has a beautiful green olive and fresh herb character in small amounts, adding great complexity."  Sunset magazine, October 2015 issue.

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.