California North Coast Flashcards
North Coast AVA
Largest AVA in CA, running 100 miles down the Pacific coast and 50 miles inland. 1.2 M ha
Encompasses 54 AVA’s, including Napa County (16 AVA’s), Sonoma County (18 AVA’s), Mondocino County (12 AVA’s) and Lake County (6 AVA’s).
Mayacamas Mountains run through dividing Mendocino and Lake counties. Extend south for over 50 miles into Napa and Sonoma down to San Pablo Bay.
Mendocino County
Runs along the Pacific Ocean to the west with Lake County to its east, Sonoma County to it’s south
7,000ha under vine. The coastal AVA’s specialize in Pinot Noir, Chard, and aromatic whites. The inland AVA’s can ripen Zinfandel, Syrah, Petit Sirah, Cab Sauv. Inland with high altitude can produce aromatic whites such as Sauv Blanc and Riesling.
Mendocino county grapes are cheaper than Napa and Sonoma and are often used in regional blends.
Mendocino AVA starts at the Russian River headwaters; covers six of the county’s 12 AVA’s (Anderson Valley, Yorkville Highlands, McDowell Valley, Potter Valley, Redwood Valley, Cole Ranch) and can be used for multi regional blends among these AVA’s.
Anderson Valley AVA
Most well known of the Mendocino AVA’s.
Runs from north west (only a few miles from the Pacific) to south east (further inland).
Daytime temps are warm but cold air and fog are funneled inland along the Navarro River for cold evenings and mornings.
Further inland the valley is narrow reducing the flow of ocean breezes and fog so conditions are warmer.
900 - 2,000mm rain mostly in winter and spring with the north west side being wettest. Most vines are on the sloped sides of the valley. Frost can be an issue, particularly in low lying areas.
1,000 ha. Pinot and Chard most and used in still and sparkling. Pinot: fresh raspberry, cherry, plum; med body and med plus acid. Good to outstanding and prem with some super.
Littorai, William Selyem.
Aromatic Alsace style from Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc also made.
85 wineries, many with cellar doors.
Lake County
In the rainshadow of the Mayacamas mountains to the west and Vaca Range to the east for a warm climate.
Most vines are in the southern part around Clear Lake, the state’s largest natural lake.
Clear Lake AVA is largest AVA in Lake County and has four sub AVA’s. Lake takes up half the area of the AVA and provides afternoon breezes. Many vines are on the slopes and ridges along the lake at 400 - 450m and benefit from cooling altitude. Cab Sauv and Sauv Blanc are most. 200ha
Much Lake County grapes are used in multi regional blends.
Sonoma County
Three overarching AVA’s: Northern Sonoma AVA, Sonoma Coast AVA, and Sonoma Valley AVA that overlap and contain many smaller AVA’s. These overarching allow producers to say estate bottled when vineyards and winery is far apart and still say Sonoma.
If wine comes from an AVA that sits entirely within Sonoma county the words Sonoma County must be on the label (along with the AVA).
Northern Sonoma AVA
Large area from Mendocino in the north, Mayacamas Mountains to the east, down to Santa Rosa in the middle of the county.
Vineyards separated from the Pacific by the Sonoma Coast AVA.
Further defined by the Russian River which starts in Mendocino County and flows through Northern Sonoma AVA where it fills underground aquifiers and provides water for vineyards before flowing to the Pacific.
Incorporates several smaller AVA’s including Alexander Valley, Knights Valley, Rockpile, Chalk Hill, Russian River Valley (plus Green Valley of Russian River Valley) and Dry Creek Valley.
Alexander Valley AVA
Northeast corner of Sonoma County.
Warm climate cooled by Pacific air funneled in by the Petaluma Gap and Russian River in the evenings.
Vines on valley floor and west / southwest facing slopes and benchlands of the Mayacamas Mountains at 100 to 750m. Long hours of sunshine leading to high color and tannin. Altitude also retains acidity.
Mixture of soils with greater fertility on valley floor and low nutrient free draining sand and gravel at higher altitude for less vigor and lower yields. 800mm/yr rain in winter.
Cab Sauv most planted. Full body, ripe blackberry, black currant, dried herbs, chocolate. Less tannin on valley floor; more structure on slopes and benchlands.
Good to outstanding and mid to prem with some super.
Also Chard, Merlot, Zin, Petit Verdot and Malbec.
Kendall-Jackson (Stonestreet Estate) and Seghesio.
Knights Valley AVA
Furthest inland for Sonoma and separated from northern end of Napa by Mayacamas Mountains.
One of the warmest areas of Sonoma County. Surrounded by hills and sheltered from any cooling by the Pacific.
Can find cooler by planting in the foothills of the mountains at 450m.
Warm temps, warm free draining volcanic soils produce ripe, full bodied Cab Sauv (most planted). Merlot, Syrah, Zin and some Chard and Sauv Blanc also.
Dry Creek Valley AVA
Known for Zin and Sauv Blanc
Narrow 2 by 16 mile valley with vineyards on the floor and on slopes and benchlands on either side of the Dry Creek River (tributary of Russian River).
Sheltered by coastal mountains on the west for warm days. Mountains on either side of the valley funnel cool ocean air and fogs from San Pablo Bay (tidal estuary and northern extension of SF Bay). This occurs during aft’s and eve’s for cooler nights and acidity retention.
This coastal influence means south is generally cooler. West facing vineyards on east of the river are warmer as they are more exposed to warm afternoon sun.
Soils are mixed with gravel sandy loam on the valley floor and gravel red clay loam on slopes and benches. Free draining so control vigor and yield.
Known for Zin some of which are over 100. Med plus to full body, med plus acid, ripe flavors of blackberry, black plum, cherry. West facing slopes are riper and more jammy with east and southern fresher with more acid. Maturation in oak (new Am) is common. Good to outstanding and mid to prem.
Cab Sauv, Merlot, Cab Franc, Petit Verdot, and Rhone varieties (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault, Carignan) also. Sauv Blanc is key white.
Rockpile AVA
Located in the north of Sonoma county, overlapping with Dry Creek and extending into Mendocino.
Vineyards on steep rocky slopes and must be above 800ft (244m) to be in the AVA. Variety of altitudes and aspect (up to 650m) leads to diverse growing conditions.
Heavily influenced by the snake like Lake Sonoma which surrounds bottom of the AVA on three sides. Lake creates an inversion layer, which keeps vineyards warm at night. Vineyards sit above the fog line for long hours of sunshine.
Shallow hillside soils hold little water and windy conditions lead to high evapotranspiration. Leads to low yields of concentrated fruit.
Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Cab Sauv, Cab Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Douro varieties.
Russian River Valley AVA
Middle of Sonoma County in both the Northern Sonoma AVA and Sonoma County AVA and part in the Sonoma Coast AVA.
Covers a range of flat and hilly topography which influences the climate from moderate to warm. South and western parts are coolest as they receive fog and wind from the Petaluma Gap (a break in the North Coast Range). Fog arrives in the eve and retreats next morning. This reduces temps sig slowing sugar accum and retaining acid while flavors develop. Pinot and Chard here. Yellow sandstone to rocky sandy clay loam. All are free draining and low in nutrients to control vigor and yield.
Boundaries of AVA extended twice (to areas also impacted by fog) and plantings up from 1,600 in late 90’s to 7,200 in 2013.
Pinot’s are med to med plus body, med tannin and med plus acid with ripe strawberry and red cherry and vanilla from oak. Chard’s are med to med plus body and med plus acid with ripe peach and pineapple and cream and spice from MLF and oak. Good to outstanding and mid to super. Rochioli and La Crema
Inland and to the northeast corner vineyards are sheltered by hills from fog and breezes. Warmer conditions which are good for Cab Sauv, Merlot, Zin and riper Pinot’s and Chards.
Russian River Valley AVA Sub Regions
Green Valley of Russian River Valley AVA: Next to the Petaluma Gap where it gains first fogs in the afternoon and last area to have it burn off in the morning. Some of the coolest conditions in northern California. Free draining low nutrient sandstone limiting vigor for small concentrated grapes. Pinot and Chard most planted for still and sparkling. Higher acid and fresher flavors.
Chalk Hill AVA: Northeast corner of Russian River Valley AVA. Hilly area blocking some of the Pacific breezes. Relatively far inland for a warmer climate than the surrounding areas. White volcanic ash (not chalk). Planted on valley floor up to 500m. Chard, Cab Sauv, Sauv Blanc most planted.
Sonoma Coast AVA
Runs from Mendocino in the north along the Pacific down to Marin County and San Pablo Bay to the south.
Includes the Sonoma side of Carneros, part of Sonoma Valley, the western part of Chalk Hill and most of the Russian River Valley AVA. Contains a wide range of climates and growing conditions. Also includes the Petaluma Gap AVA and Fort Ross Seaview AVA.
Vineyards in the west of the AVA can be within a few miles of the ocean and are very exposed to cold air and fog. Cool windy conditions in spring can disrupt fruit set and lead to low yields. Growing conditions are cool with limited sunshine from fog. Pinot and Chard dominate, light bodied, high acid, med alchol wines. Aubert and Occidental.
Fort Ross Seaview AVA
Northwest of Sonoma Coast.
To be AVA must be over 280m, above the fog layer for long hours of sunshine and warmth.
Coastal winds still moderate temps. Riper fruit than below the fog line, but still fresh high acid.
Chard, Pinot, Syrah.
Petaluma Gap AVA
Southern Sonoma County and one of the newest AVA’s. Extends from the Petaluma Gap in the northern coast range to San Pablo Bay.
Open to the coast at both ends, high speed coastal winds flow through. AVA defined by the area that maintains a wind of at least 8 mph through the growing season.
Winds lower temps but are strong enough to cause stomata to close slowing respiration and photosynthesis.
Pinot Noir 75%; Chard, Syrah. High acid, fresh fruit and lower alcohol compared to inland sheltered areas.
