Wine AVAs of Sonoma Flashcards
1
Q
What are the main varietal(s) of Sonoma’s Los Carneros?
A
Chardonnay
Pinot Noir
2
Q
Name the outlined AVA.
A
Los Carneros (Sonoma side)
3
Q
Name the outlined AVA
A
Sonoma Valley
4
Q
Name the outlined AVA
A
Moon Mountain District
5
Q
Name the outlined AVA.
A
Sonoma Mountain
6
Q
Name the outlined AVA.
A
Sonoma Coast
7
Q
Name the outlined AVA.
A
Ft. Ross- Sea View
8
Q
Name the outlined AVA.
A
Russian River Valley
9
Q
Name the outlined AVA.
A
Green Valley of Russian River Valley
10
Q
Name the outlined AVA.
A
Chalk Hill
11
Q
Name the outlined AVA.
A
Dry Creek Valley
12
Q
Name the outlined AVA.
A
Alexander Valley
13
Q
Name the outlined AVA.
A
Knight’s Valley
14
Q
Los Carneros received its AVA designation in what year?
A
1983
15
Q
Los Carneros (Sonoma side) is home to what wineries?
A
Viansa Ram’s Gate Schug Gloria Ferrer MacRostie
16
Q
What are some notable vineyards in Los Carneros (Sonoma side)?
A
Sangiacomo (15 distinct parcels, 13 of which are in close proximity to each other in the Sonoma side of Carneros. The other 2 are located in the Petaluma Gap).
17
Q
Describe the climate of Los Carneros (Sonoma side).
A
Influenced by the maritime breezes and fog from its southern border with San Pablo Bay. Carneros produces the exceptional Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and sparkling wines. Cool,with prevailing marine winds from the San Pablo Bay and through the Petaluma Gap to the west. High temperatures during summer rarely exceed 80F (20C) with less diurnal range variation.
18
Q
Describe the soil of Los Carneros (Sonoma side).
A
Clay dominated, very shallow in general. With more loam and hillside alluvials in the northern section.
19
Q
What are the principle varietals and characteristics of the grapes in Los Carneros (Sonoma side)?
A
Chardonnay: Minerally pear- apple and spice flavors. Merlot: Sinewy and lightly herbal, with fine tannins and sleek structure. Pinot Noir: Ripe cherry- cinnamon spice flavors with earthy notes.
20
Q
What are the sub appellations in Sonoma Valley?
A
Moon Mountain District
Sonoma Mountain
Los Carneros
21
Q
What are the main varietal(s) in Sonoma Valley?
A
Chardonnay
Zinfandel
Cabernet
22
Q
What are the main varietal(s) in Moon Mountain District?
A
Chardonnay
Zinfandel
Cabernet
23
Q
What are the main varietal(s) in Sonoma Mountain?
A
Cabernet
24
Q
Sonoma Valley recived its AVA designation in what year?
A
1981 (amended in 85 and 87)
25
Sonoma Valley is home to what wineries?
Buena Vista (Old Winery Road)
Gundlach, Bundschu (oldest family winery)
Kunde
Kenwood
26
Sonoma Valley is surrounded by what areas?
Sonoma Mountain to the west, and the Mayacamas Mountains to the east with cooling breezes moving north from San PAblo Bay
27
Varied microclimates in Sonoma Valley support excellent qualities of what grape varietals?
Chardonnay
Zinfandel
Cabernet
28
What is the historic “Heart” of the Sonoma wine industry? What other name does it go by? What wineries is it home to?
Sonoma Valley
The Valley of the Moon
Buena Vista
Gundlach Bundschu
29
Moon Mountain District received its AVA designation in what year?
2013
30
Moon Mountain District has vineyards between what elevations?
400- 2,200 feet
31
Moon Mountain District is home to what famed winery, and what sought after vineyard?
Hanzell
Monte Rosso Cabernet
32
Sonoma Mountain has how many acres under vine?
800 acres
33
How many resident wineries does Sonoma Mountain have?
3
34
Sonoma Mountain is best suited to what grape varietal? What are some other grape varietals that grow well in the “folds” of the mountain?
Cabernet
Also suitable for Chardonnay, Zinfandel, and Pinot Noir varietals
35
What are the sub appellations of Russian River Valley?
Green Valley of Russian River Valley
Chalk Hill
36
What are the main varietals of Russian River Valley?
Pinot Noir
Chardonnay
37
What are the main varietals of Green Valley of Russian River Valley?
Pinot Noir
Chardonnay
38
What are the main varietals of Chalk Hill?
Chardonnay
Sauvignon Blanc
39
Russian River Valley received its AVA designation in what year?
1983
40
Russian River Valley is home to what wineries?
Martin Ray (Courtney Benham/ Angeline)
J
Merry Edwards
Chalk Hill
Williams Seylem
River Road
41
What are some notable vineyards in the Russian River Valley?
Dutton Ranch
Bachiglupi
Keefer Ranch
42
Describe the climate of The Russian River Valley.
Cooled by the fog that rolls in from the Pacific. Russian River Valley is well suited for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir production. The cooling influence of the fog provides growing seasons of up to 15- 20% longer than its neighbors, allowing for full flavor maturity while retaining natural acidity.
43
Describe the soil of Russian River Valley.
Sandy Goldridge soils provide excellent drainage- higher percentages of Goldridge soil closer to the coastline.
44
Describe the principle varietals and characteristics of the grapes in Russian River Valley.
Cool weather grapes, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir produce elegant style wines with exceptional Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet in western portions, especially Chalk Hill.
45
Green Valley received its designation in what year?
1983
46
Where is Green Valley located? Describe its climate and soil conditions.
Located in the southwestern portion of the Russian River Valley AVA
It is the coolest and foggiest area in the area with 60% Goldridge soil, the most sought after soil type in the county, especially for Pinot Noir.
47
Chalk Hill received its designation in what year?
1983
48
Where is Chalk Hill located? Describe its climate and soil conditions.
Located in the northeast portion of Russian River Valley
Warmer than the rest of the Russian River Valley due to elevation placing it above the fog line with warmer spots suitable for Cabernet and Merlot.
49
What are the sub appellations in the Sonoma Coast?
Ft. Ross/ Sea View
50
What are the main varietals of Sonoma Coast?
Chardonnay
Pinot Noir
51
Sonoma Coast received its AVA designation in what year?
1987
52
Sonoma Coast is home to what wineries?
Home to wineries listed under Carneros, Russian River Valley, parts of Sonoma Valley, Petaluma, Ft. Ross/ Seaview
53
Describe the location of Sonoma Coast.
Large, sprawling AVA following the Pacific Coast from Medndocino to the border of Martin County below Bodega Bay and along the coast of San Pablo Bay with the purpose of allowing wineries such as Sonoma Cutrer to blend lots from different sources under one AVA.
54
Sonoma Coast wine production is centered around what?
Production centered around Pinot Noir and Chardonnay production with top producers Marcassin, Martinelli, Peter Michael and Falia sourcing around the Ft. Ross/ Seaview sub- region’s vineyards.
55
Ft Ross/ Seaview received its designation in what year?
2012
56
Describe the general location of vineyards in this location.
Vineyards in this area are generally located on rounded ridges with summits extending above 1,200 feet consisting of steep mountainous terrain made up of canyons, narrow valleys, ridges and 800- 1,800 foot peaks. In areas above 900 feet in elevation, the climate is influenced by longer periods of sunlight and is warmer than that in the surrounding land below.
57
What are the main varietal(s) of Dry Creek Valley?
Zinfandel
58
Dry Creek Valley recieved its AVA designation in what year?
1983
59
Describe the climate of Dry Creek Valley.
Warm days tempered by cool fog in the evenings creating a balance of maritime and inland climates.
60
Describe the soil of Dry Creek Valley.
Primarily gravely sandy loam on the valley floor with more striking red gravelly clay loam on the hillsides and beaches.
61
What are the principle varietals and characteristics of the grapes in Dry Creek Valley?
Zinfandel dominates production with intense berry flavors. Older vineyards such as Lytton Springs still producing field blends with various grape varietals.
62
How big is Dry Creek Valley AVA?
2 miles wide and 16 miles long.
63
Zinfandel in Dry Creek Valley was first planted in _________ and has been the dominate grape since 1880 but only __________, and ___________ survived prohibition.
1870
Pedroncelli
Frei Brothers
64
Dry Creek Valley has how many acres of vineyard? How many wineries do these vineyards provide fruit for?
Nearly 9,000 acres
Over 70 wineries, the majority of which remain family owned.
65
Dry Creek Valley is home to what wineries?
Farrari- Carano
Dry Creek Vineyard
Pedroncelli
Segesio
66
What are the main varietal(s) of Alexander Valley?
Cabernet
67
Alexander Valley received its AVA designation in what year?
1984
68
Alexander Valley is home to what wineries?
Sliver Oak
Jordan
Rodney Strong (Bluewing)
69
What is a notable vineyard in Alexander Valley?
Robert Young
70
Describe the climate of Alexander Valley.
Distance from the Pacific leads to hot, arid summers that receive just enough cool air from the ocean to produce world class Cabernet.
71
Describe the soil of Alexander Valley.
Well- drained gravel, clay and sandy soils, closer to the valley floor with more eroded gravely loam and minimal clay on the benchlands.
72
What are the principle varietals and characteristics of the grapes in Alexander Valley?
World- famous Cabernet Sauvignon grapes thrive from the gravelly floor soil, gaining complexity and concentration all the way up the rolling hillsides and mountain ridges.
73
How many acres of land are in Alexander Valley and of those, how many are planted?
76,900 acres of land with 15,000 planted acres
74
Who is Alexander Valley named after? Who were they?
Named for Cyrus Alexander, a tireless innovator who planted an orchard, constructed a tannery, and built the first grain mill on the area, he also planted a vineyard.
75
What are the main varietal(s) of Knight’s Valley?
Cabernet
76
Knight’s Valley received its AVA designation in what year?
1983
77
Knight’s Valley is home to what wineries?
Peter Michael
78
Describe the climate of Knight’s Valley.
The warmest of Sonoma County’s viticultural areas, Knight’s Valley derives its heat from its lofty perch, high on the hills and beyond the reach of the Pacific Ocean.
79
Describe the soil of Knight’s Valley.
Derived from volcanic material of neighboring Mt St Helena and alluvial deposits closer to the valley floor.
80
Geographically Knight’s Valley separates what two wine regions?
Sonoma County and Napa Valley
81
What aren the principle varietals and characteristics of the grapes in Knight’s Valley?
Rich, complex, and well- structured Cabernet is Knight ‘s Valley’s calling card but Peter Michael has shown that exceptional Sauvignon Blanc is possible.
82
What was the reputaion of Knight’s Valley built on?
The reputation of this remote AVA was built on the fame of Beringer’s Knight’s Valley Cabernet and sealed by the highly sought- after wines of Peter Michael.
83
What are the sub appellations of Mendocino?
Anderson Valley
Cole Ranch
McDowell Valley
Potter Valley
Redwood Valley
Yorkville Highlands
Covelo
Dos Rios
Mendocino Ridge
Pine Mountain
84
What are the main varietal(s) of Mendocino?
Chardonnay
Pinot Noir
Substantial plantings of Gewurtztraminer and Riesling in Anderson Valley.
85
Mendocino received its AVA designation in what year?
1984 (amended in 1998)
86
Mendocino is home to what wineries?
Goldeneye
Roederer Estates
Navarro
Bonterra
Frey
87
Describe the climate of Mendocino.
Extremely cool climate in Anderson Valley leads to cool weather varietals (Pinot Noir, Riesling, Gewuztraminer) and Sparkling production while more moderate but still cool temperatures prevail in the larger central growing area.
88
Describe the soil in Mendocino.
Varied
89
What are the principle varietals and characteristics of the grapes in Mendocino?
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir range from consumer friendly to elegant- complexity. Food friendly Cabernet is also produced.
90
Mendocino was on the vanguard of what type of wine production during the tenure of what two individuals?
Organic and Biodynamic wine production
Paul Dolan and Phil Hurst
91
What percentage of Mendocino County’s wine production is certified organic? What fraction of the total organic wine grape acreage is in Mendocino County?
28%
1/3rd
92
What two wineries in Mendocino are America’s best known producers of organically grown wine?
Bonterra
Frey
93
Anderson Valley received its designation in what year?
1983
94
Anderson Valley is the leading sub appellation with substantial amounts of what planted grapes?
Gewurztraminer
Riesling
Chardonnay
Pinot Noir
