California AVAs North Coast Mendocino and Lake Counties

Question 1

Describe the North Coast AVA
climate

Answer 1

Vineyards to the north of San Francisco Bay
Climate heavily influenced by the Pacific Ocean, bringing fog and cool breezes that flow through the gaps in the coastal ranges and river valleys.

Question 2

How does the climate of the North Coast determine grape plantings?

Answer 2

Cool breezes affect the average temperature ranges and diurnal temperature

Question 3

What Counties are in the North Coast?

Answer 3

Mendocino County
Sonoma County
Napa County

Question 4

Mendocino County location?

Answer 4

Runs along Pacific Ocean, Sonoma County to the south, Lake County to the East.

Question 5

How are the vineyards grouped in Mendocino County?

Answer 5

Either grouped in cooler AVAs closer to Pacific Ocean or further inland areas, planted at altitude

Question 6

What grapes the more Coastal AVAs (Anderson Valley) specialise in?

Answer 6

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and aromatic white varieties

Question 7

Inland AVAs (such as Redwood) produce what wines?

Answer 7

Zinfandel
Syrah
Petite Syrah
Cab Sav

Question 8

What size (ha) is Mendocino County?
How much under vine?

Answer 8

1 million ha
7,000 ha under vine

Question 9

Which AVA is the most well-known in Mendocino?

Answer 9

Anderson Valley AVA

Question 10

Where is it located?

Answer 10

a few km from the Pacific running North West to South East

Question 11

What are the climate influences of Anderson Valley AVA?
And further inland?

Answer 11

Daytime temperature is warm, but cold air and fog are funnelled inland along the NAVARRO river giving cold evening and mornings.
Inland valley is narrower and reduces flow of ocean breezes and fog so conditions are warmer

Question 12

how much rain does Anderson Valley receive and when?
what is the main risk?

Answer 12

90-200cm per annum, mostly falling in winter/spring
Frost

Question 13

where are the vast majority of vineyards planted in Anderson Valley?

Answer 13

on the sloped sides of the valley

Question 14

Describe the still Pinot Noir from Anderson Valley AVA

Answer 14

Fresh raspberry, cherry and plum fruit
med body
med(+) acidity
Good to Outstanding
Premium priced + some super premium examples

Question 15

Name 2 significant producers of P. Noir from Anderson

Answer 15

Littorai and Williams Selyem

Question 16

Aromatic Alsace wines are also produced from which grapes?

Answer 16

Gewurtz, Riesling, Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc

Question 17

How many wineries in the Anderson Valley AVA?

Answer 17

85 wineries

Question 18

How do these wineries sell their wines?

Answer 18

many have cellar doors to take advantage of the tourist trade around the coast.

Question 19

Which AVA is in Lake County?

Answer 19

Clear Lake AVA

Question 20

What influence does the lake have on the area?

Answer 20

The lake, which takes up half of the AVA area provides afternoon breezes

Question 21

Where are the majority of the vineyards planted in Clear Lake?

Answer 21

on the slopes and ridges around the lake at 400-450m, with the benefits of the cooling effect of altitude