Sonoma County: Difference between revisions
Created page with "'''Sonoma County''' is a major wine-producing region in northern California, located immediately west of Napa Valley and extending from the Pacific coast inland to the Mayacamas Mountains. The county is noted for its diversity of microclimates and grape varieties, making it one of the most varied viticultural areas in the United States.<ref>Johnson & Robinson, ''The World Atlas of Wine'', 8th ed., Mitchell Beazley, 2019.</ref> == Background == Viti..." |
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Revision as of 23:07, 21 August 2025
Sonoma County is a major wine-producing region in northern California, located immediately west of Napa Valley and extending from the Pacific coast inland to the Mayacamas Mountains. The county is noted for its diversity of microclimates and grape varieties, making it one of the most varied viticultural areas in the United States.[1]
Background
Viticulture in Sonoma dates back to the early 19th century, with Spanish missionaries and later European settlers introducing Vitis vinifera to the region. By the late 1800s, the county had become an important source of wine for California, although production was disrupted by phylloxera and later by Prohibition. Recovery in the mid-20th century established Sonoma alongside Napa as a leading centre of American wine.[2]
Today, Sonoma County is recognised as a patchwork of American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), each defined by distinct geography and climate. The county covers a larger vineyard area than Napa and is often associated with a greater stylistic breadth of wine.[3]
Characteristics
Sonoma's climate is strongly influenced by the Pacific Ocean, with cool fogs moderating temperatures in coastal valleys such as the Russian River, while more inland areas like Alexander Valley and Dry Creek Valley experience warmer conditions. This range of environments supports a wide array of grape varieties, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, and Sauvignon Blanc.[4]
The soils are equally diverse, comprising volcanic deposits, alluvial fans, and marine sediments, all contributing to the expression of terroir across different subregions. The county is divided into more than a dozen AVAs, with Russian River Valley celebrated for cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Dry Creek Valley known for old-vine Zinfandel, and Alexander Valley distinguished by structured Cabernet Sauvignon.[5]
Use in winemaking
Sonoma County produces a broad spectrum of wine styles. Sparkling wines have a strong presence in the cooler areas, often made using traditional methods, while still whites and reds dominate overall production. The region has become especially renowned for elegant Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, rivalled only by Oregon in the United States for these varieties. Cabernet Sauvignon from warmer inland AVAs competes in quality with neighbouring Napa, though often with a different stylistic emphasis.
Old-vine Zinfandel remains a hallmark of the county, particularly from Dry Creek Valley, providing some of California’s most distinctive red wines. Production ranges from small family-owned wineries to large-scale producers, many of which focus on premium wine for both domestic consumption and export.[6]
See also
References
- ↑ Johnson & Robinson, The World Atlas of Wine, 8th ed., Mitchell Beazley, 2019.
- ↑ Robinson (ed.), The Oxford Companion to Wine, 4th ed., Oxford University Press, 2015.
- ↑ Sutcliffe, The Wines of Sonoma Valley, Mitchell Beazley, 2003.
- ↑ Johnson & Robinson, The World Atlas of Wine, 8th ed., Mitchell Beazley, 2019.
- ↑ Robinson (ed.), The Oxford Companion to Wine, 4th ed., Oxford University Press, 2015.
- ↑ Sonoma County Vintners, "Our Wine Region", sonomawine.com.