January 23rd - This Date in Wine History

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Rogue_Valley.png

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.

  • Mary Randolph, author of the cookbook, The Virginia House-Wife; Or, Methodical Cook died in 1828.  She includes recipes for currant wine and mead and included recipes that included wine.  Mary Randolph and her husband lived in a house in Richmond called Moldavia that was later owned by Edgar Allen Poe.

  • The Menetou-Salon AOC was named in 1959.

  • California's Clarksburg AVA and Virginia's Monticello AVA were designated in 1984.

  • California's Sonoma Mountain AVA was designated in 1985.

  • Salvador Dali dies in 1989.  The surrealist artist created a wine book, The Wines of Gala, as well as a cookbook, The Dinners of Gala. (Gala was his wife).

  • Oregon's Rogue Valley AVA was designated in 1991.

January 23rd - This Date in Wine History

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Wines of Gala.jpg

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.

  • Mary Randolph, author of the cookbook, The Virginia House-Wife; Or, Methodical Cook died in 1828.  She includes recipes for currant wine and mead and included recipes that included wine.
  • The Menetou-Salon AOC was named in 1959.
  • California's Clarksburg AVA and Virginia's Monticello AVA were designated in 1984.
  • California's Sonoma Mountain AVA was designated in 1985.
  • Salvador Dali dies in 1989.  The surrealist artist created a wine book, The Wines of Gala, as well as a cookbook, The Dinners of Gala. (Gala was his wife).
  • Oregon's Rogue Valley AVA was designated in 1991.

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.

Sonoma Valley - Wine Region of the Day

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Sonoma Valley

Sonoma Valley received its designation as an AVA in 1987. Situated across 60,065 acres, Sonoma Valley includes sub-appellations Bennett Valley, Los Carneros, Sonoma Mountain, and Moon Mountain District Sonoma County. The Sonoma Mountain protects Sonoma Valley from the wet and cool influence of the nearby Pacific Ocean. The Sonoma Mountains to the west help protect the valley from excessive rainfall. The cool air that does affect the region flows northward up from San Pablo Bay through the Los Carneros region.

January 23rd - This Date in Wine History

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Rogue Valley by Gretchen Miller Neuman for Qorkz.

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.

  • The Menetou-Salon AOC was named in 1959
  • California's Clarksburg AVA and Virginia's Monticello AVA were designated in 1984
  • California's Sonoma Mountain AVA was designated in 1985
  • Oregon's Rogue Valley AVA was designated in 1991

Sonoma Mountain - Wine Region of the Day

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SONOMA MOUNTAIN

Photo of Sonoma Mountain by David Toomey for Qorkz. 

The Sonoma Mountain AVA is located in Sonoma County, California. It is centered on the Sonoma Mountains. The appellation is included in the Sonoma Valley AVA, but due to its unique elevation, it was granted status as its own AVA in 1985. The area is known for its high elevation benches and its diverse micro-climates. The region's soil is volcanic and well draining. Due to the high elevations, the region sits above the fog and receives plenty of sunlight. The combination of the terror and the climate make this region perfect for growing Cabernet Sauvignon, and it is the region's signature wine.

Sonoma Mountain - Wine Region of the Day

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SONOMA MOUNTAIN

Photo of Sonoma Mountain by David Toomey for Qorkz

The Sonoma Mountain AVA is located in Sonoma County, California. It is centered on the Sonoma Mountains. The appellation is included in the Sonoma Valley AVA, but due to its unique elevation, it was granted status as its own AVA in 1985. The area is known for its high elevation benches and its diverse micro-climates. The region's soil is volcanic and well draining. Due to the high elevations, the region sits above the fog and receives plenty of sunlight. The combination of the terroir and the climate make this region perfect for growing Cabernet Sauvignon, and it is the region's signature wine.