Alexander Valley AVA

Alexander Valley AVA
Wine region
A vineyard in Alexander Valley
TypeAmerican Viticultural Area
Year established1984, amended 1986, 1988, 1990, 2001[1]
CountryUnited States
Part ofCalifornia, North Coast AVA, Northern Sonoma AVA, Sonoma County
Total area32,536 acres (132 km2)[2]
Size of planted vineyards15,000 acres (61 km2)[3]
Grapes producedBarbera, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignane, Chardonnay, Chenin blanc, Gewürztraminer, Grenache, Malbec, Merlot, Muscat Canelli, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Pinot blanc, Pinot noir, Riesling, Sangiovese, Sauvignon blanc, Sémillon, Syrah, Tempranillo, Viognier, Zinfandel[3]

The Alexander Valley (Wappo: Unutsawaholmanoma, "Toyon Bush Berry Place")[4] is a Californian American Viticultural Area (AVA) just north of Healdsburg in Sonoma County. It is home to many wineries and vineyards, as well as the city of Cloverdale. It is the largest and most fully planted wine region in Sonoma.[5] Highway 101 runs through the valley, and the Russian River flows down the valley, surrounded by vineyards on both sides. From the higher elevations of the valley rim, there is a view as far south as Taylor Mountain and Sonoma Mountain. The region was named for Cyrus Alexander, owner of a part of the Rancho Sotoyome Mexican land grant, in 1847.[6] Granted AVA status in 1984, the boundaries of the appellation are defined in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 27, Section 9.53.

  1. ^ "§ 9.53 Alexander Valley" (Title 27: Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; Part 9 — American Viticultural Areas; Subpart C — Approved American Viticultural Areas). Code of Federal Regulations. Retrieved November 30, 2007.
  2. ^ Professional Friends of Wine (2007). "American Viticultural Areas" Archived 2007-12-12 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved Nov. 15, 2007.
  3. ^ a b "Alexander Valley (AVA): Appellation Description". Appellation America. 2007. Archived from the original on May 16, 2008. Retrieved November 30, 2007.
  4. ^ "Wappo Language". Wappo Indians of Napa County. Archived from the original on 2012-02-08. Retrieved 2012-08-15.
  5. ^ J. Robinson (ed) "The Oxford Companion to Wine" Third Edition pg 643 Oxford University Press 2006 ISBN 0-19-860990-6
  6. ^ Gudde, Erwin; William Bright (2004). California Place Names (Fourth ed.). University of California Press. p. 8. ISBN 0-520-24217-3.