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Alexander Valley
Located at the northern end of Sonoma County and brimming with unmatched beauty and rugged, breathtaking vistas, the Alexander Valley is 22 miles long and varies in width from two to seven miles. On the hillsides to the east and west, and adjacent to the beautiful Russian River winding along the valley floor, the valley is home to a diversity of microclimates that support the growth of many wine grape varieties: World-class Cabernet Sauvignon grapes thrive from the valley all the way up to the rolling hillsides and mountain ridges. |
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Central Coast
The Central Coast American Viticultural Area (AVA) stretches roughly 250 miles along the coastline of California, from San Francisco County in the north to Santa Barbara County in the south, averaging about 25 miles in width. A very large AVA, the Central Coast encompasses approximately four million acres, of which 90,300 acres are planted to wine grapes. The region produces almost 15 percent of the state's total wine grape production and is home to about 360 wineries. |
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Chalk Hill
Chalk Hill, the appellation, is one of 13 in Sonoma County-a region of fine wine, remarkable beauty, and agricultural abundance. Unique biospheres distinguish Chalk Hill from the neighboring appellations- the cooler Russian River Valley to the west and the warmer Alexander Valley to the northeast. An old river bed caps one hill; an unusual serpentine vein ranges through another and, under the topsoil, is a distinctive layer of chalk-colored volcanic ash which inspired the name of Chalk Hill. |
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Clarksburg
Warm summer days and cool nights typify the climate in the Clarksburg appellation during the long, dry growing season. These prime conditions allow for the growing of over 25 varieties of wine grapes. They include: Chardonnay, Merlot, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Zinfandel, Viognier, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. |
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Edna Valley
The Edna Valley is a natural, elongated valley encompassing approximately 35 square miles. This transverse valley (running east/west) is well defined by the Santa Lucia Mountains to the northeast and by the San Luis Range to the southwest. The northeast border merges into the Los Osos Valley just beyond the city of San Luis Obispo. Unlike appellations in Napa, Sonoma, Paso Robles, and Monterey, there are no major mountains to the west to block the maritime air masses from entering this valley. Due to the mild climate, the growing season is typically the longest in California. This fosters optimum acidity, low pH and full development of luscious aromas and flavors in the mature grapes. |
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Lodi
Settled at the northern tip of the San Joaquin Valley just east of the San Francisco Bay, where the fertile and diverse soils begin to make their gentle ascent to the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, Lodi boasts a classic Mediterranean climate consisting of warm days and cool evenings accented by a gentle maritime wind from the Sacramento River Delta. Zinfandel is the reigning king without rival, as more of it is grown in Lodi than anywhere else in the world with Old Vine Zin as its specialty. |
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Monterey County
Known for the rugged beauty of Big Sur, the charm of Carmel and the lore of Pebble Beach, Monterey County is also home to 39,300 acres of wine grapes and about 75 wineries and growers. The climate of Monterey County reflects the cooling influence of the Monterey Bay and lack of abundant rainfall. There are enough warm days to ripen the grapes, however the marine influence predominates. Due to the cool growing conditions, harvest is typically two weeks later than other regions, allowing for a long season and slow fruit maturation. |
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Napa Valley
The Napa Valley is bordered by two mountain ranges—the Vaca on the east and the Mayacamas, rising well above 2,000 feet and bordering the adjacent Sonoma County, on the west. Mt. St. Helena stands sentry at the northern end of the appellation where the valley ends at the town of Calistoga. This is the warmest locale in the region. About 30 miles away, near the city of Napa, the southern end of the valley opens to San Pablo Bay, an interconnecting arm of the San Francisco Bay system. |
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Russian River
The Russian River Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA) lies 70 miles north of San Francisco in Western Sonoma County. The appellation extends from the town of Healdsburg west to the Pacific Coast Hills. The area—one of the most scenic wine regions in the world—is dotted with vineyards, apple orchards, small dairies, farms and charming towns. The Sonoma coast is close by, and the marine influence on the climate is the single most important characteristic of the appellation. |
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San Luis Obispo County
The area is characterized by warm, clear days, generally unencumbered by clouds, fog or severe winds. Nighttime temperatures drop by approximately 40 degrees, cooled by a marine layer that moves over the region after sunset. Proximity to the ocean, orientation of the numerous canyons and valleys, and varying elevations produce diverse macroclimates, allowing production of both cool and warm loving wine grape varieties. There are four general soil associations, primarily formed from the weathering of granite, serpentine, shale and sandstone. |
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Sonoma
Luther Burbank called Sonoma County "the chosen spot of all the earth as far as nature is concerned." A vastly diverse range of topography, including numerous small valleys with distinct microclimates, the Russian River and the Pacific Ocean, all characterize the region. A moderate climate with a cooling maritime influence, Sonoma County embodies ideal and diverse grape growing weather: from valley to hillside, moist ocean coast to dry inland, and cool southern regions that complement the warmer, more northern areas. |
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