The Famous Wine Regions of Sonoma County California

Sonoma County stretches from the Pacific Ocean coast in the west to the Mayacamas Mountains in the east, and is home to almost 65,000 acres of vineyards and more than 300 wineries. Within the county are 13 American Viticultural Areas (AVAs, or appellations) – regions with unique soils and climates that allow certain grape varieties to grow particularly well.

Alexander Valley
15,000 vineyard acres / 42 wineries
Top varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Merlot, Syrah

Almost as warm as Knights Valley, the valley floor of Alexander Valley produces some of the county's richest Cabernet Sauvignon, along with flavorful, ripe Chardonnay. The Valley's hillsides produce complex and concentrated Zinfandel, Merlot, and Syrah.

Bennett Valley
650 vineyard acres / 4 wineries
Top varietals: Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
Merlot shines in Bennett Valley like nowhere else, with volcanic-laced soils and a moderately cool climate that results in extended hang time ideal for the varietal. The long growing season helps maximize flavors and increase concentration, while the cooler temperatures preserve the grape's natural acidity.

Chalk Hill
1,400 vineyard acres / 4 wineries
Top varietals: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Merlot
On the north side of Windsor, extending along a short stretch of the Russian River, is the Chalk Hill district, which takes its name from the warm, blanched volcanic ash hillsides that offer excellent drainage and sunny exposures.

Dry Creek Valley
10,000 vineyard acres / 50 wineries
Top varietals: Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot

Morning fog from the Pacific Ocean temper warm days. The stone-strewn soils are ideal for concentrating fruit and flavor character of Zinfandel, the hallmark of Dry Creek Valley, along with Cabernet Sauvignon, and the resulting wines are rock solid examples of their types.

Green Valley
3,600 vineyard acres / 10 wineries
Top varietals: Pinot Noir, Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc

Located within Russian River Valley but slightly cooler and with sandier soils, Pinot Noir & Chardonnay thrive in Green Valley for both still and sparkling wines. Distinctive Gewürztraminer also shines, as does cool-climate Syrah.

Knights Valley
2,000 vineyard acres / 2 wineries
Top varietals: Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot

Protected from direct Pacific Ocean influence, Knights Valley is the warmest of the county's appellations. Bordeaux varietals – Cabernet Sauvignon, Cab. Franc, Merlot, and Malbec for the reds; Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon for the whites – thrive here, producing complex and enjoyable Meritage blends.

Rockpile
150 vineyard acres
Top varietals: Cabernet, Petite Syrah, Zinfandel

Sonoma Country's newest viticultural area, Rockpile, was designated in early 2002. Spreading west of Lake Sonoma to the Mendocino County border, it is known for intensely-flavored red grape varietals with great concentration and balance.

Russian River Valley
15,000 vineyard acres / 70 wineries
Top varietals: Chardonnays, Pinot Noir

The confluence of well-drained, infertile soils; maritime and river influence providing cooling fog, and warm summer afternoons are ideal for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The moderate temperatures ensure that fruit maturity is achieved without loss of depth and suppleness, resulting in wines that are uniquely ripe and elegant.

Sonoma Carneros
8,000 vineyard acres / 22 wineries
Top varietals: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir

One of the coolest regions in Sonoma Country - partly because of the Bay's moderating influence, this region is prime Pinot Noir and Chardonnay country, producing crisp sparkling wines and racy table wines. Carneros has also shown itself to produce wonderful cool-climate expressions of Merlot and Syrah.

Sonoma Coast
7,000 vineyard acres / 5 wineries
Top varietals: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir

The hottest new region in the county is, in fact, its coolest. A place so close to the Pacific, with more than twice the annual rainfall of its inland neighbors, can still be warm enough to ripen wine grapes to their fullest flavor potential. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay shine, along with cool-climate Syrah.

Sonoma Mountain
800 vineyard acres / 3 wineries
Top varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel

Rising above Sonoma Valley and the Santa Rosa Plain, and set apart by being well above the morning fog line, this region is known for powerful, yet elegant Cabernet Sauvignon. Due to the wide variety of slope and exposure, several other varieties also thrive in the rocky mountain soil.

Sonoma Valley
14,000 vineyard acres / 55 wineries
Top varietals: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel

Winegrowers take advantage of a climate warmed by slanting rays of sun and cooled airflows from both the Bay (to the south) and the Santa Rosa Plain (to the northwest) to produce a wide range of wines, each with distinctive varietal characteristics.