Northern Sonoma AVA

Northern Sonoma AVA
Wine region
TypeAmerican Viticultural Area
Year established1985, amended in 1986 and 1990[1]
CountryUnited States
Part ofCalifornia, North Coast AVA, Sonoma County
Sub-regionsAlexander Valley AVA, Chalk Hill AVA, Dry Creek Valley AVA, Green Valley of Russian River Valley AVA, Knights Valley AVA, Rockpile AVA, Russian River Valley AVA, Sonoma Coast AVA,
Total area329,000 acres (1,331 km2)[2]
Grapes producedChardonnay[2]

The Northern Sonoma AVA is an American Viticultural Area in Sonoma County, California, United States. The appellation covers most of the county with the notable exceptions of the Los Carneros AVA and Sonoma Valley AVA wine regions, which are located in the southern portion of the county. The creation of this AVA was largely based on the petitioning of the E & J Gallo Winery as part of their expansion of their Gallo of Sonoma brand.[2] The viticultural area incorporates the Alexander Valley AVA, Chalk Hill AVA, Dry Creek Valley AVA, Knights Valley AVA, Russian River Valley AVA, Sonoma Coast AVA, and parts of the Green Valley of Russian River Valley AVA and Rockpile AVA valleys.[3]

The majority of the grape varieties grown in Sonoma County are grown in Northern Sonoma AVA, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon blanc, Chardonnay, and Zinfandel.[4] Zinfandel is more commonly grown in the Rockpile and Dry Creek Valleys.[3] Gallo Family Vineyards are known for their Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay while Rodney Strong Vineyards is known for its Zinfandel and Sauvignon blanc. Bacigalupi Vineyards, situated in the Russian River Valley, are known for their Chardonnay.[4]

  1. ^ "§ 9.70 Northern Sonoma" (Title 27: Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; Part 9 — American Viticultural Areas; Subpart C — Approved American Viticultural Areas). Code of Federal Regulations. Retrieved January 4, 2008.
  2. ^ a b c "Northern Sonoma (AVA): Appellation Description". Appellation America. 2007. Archived from the original on February 4, 2009. Retrieved January 4, 2008.
  3. ^ a b Selinger, Hannah (6 November 2020). "Diverse Soils and Coastal Winds: The Ultimate Guide to Sonoma". Wine Enthusiast. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  4. ^ a b "Northern Sonoma Wine Region and Appellation". Sonomacounty.com. Retrieved 17 August 2021.