Sonoma Valley

Sonoma Valley AVA is one of several very important California AVA’s situated within Sonoma County, USA.

Sonoma Valley (aka Valley of the Moon) is sandwiched between steep mountains on either side: the Mayacamas to the east and the Sonoma Mountains to the west. The result is that this valley is protected considerably from the direct influence of the Pacific Ocean, but still receives cooling from the winds that flow north from the San Pablo Bay area through the Los Carneros region.

Running to the east of Sonoma Valley you will find Napa Valley AVA and to the south you will find Carneros Valley AVA with which it shares some AVA overlap.
Given it’s early vinous start, it is not surprising to find Sonoma Valley has some of California’s oldest vineyards planted to Zinfandel (some over 100 years), Carignane and Petite Sirah.

The region is known for considerable soil diversity (15 soil types have been identified) with a wide selection of grapes planted, the most prominent of which include Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel.