Sonoma County, Kalifornia

As you are leaving Napa, hugging the turns on the mountain road passing over into Sonoma county, a feeling of wistfulness comes over you. Beautifully kept vineyards, neat rows of vines, and in many places, traditionally cultivated rows of grapes. The vines, like a witch's hands, reach out from the ground up towards the sky. Colorful wild flowers carpet the ground between the rows; the vista is hilly and serene. Sonoma is family-run wineries, tasting rooms converted from old barns, heart-warming hospitality and excellent wine. Its seems almost odd that New World wine should come from such a traditional setting. The sight of its fifty and hundred year old vines is so alluring that I frequently pull over to the side of the road so I can take a closer look. …

Sonoma is a place where quality wine was already being produced in the 1850’s. Since the end of the twentieth century, when wine making experienced a re-birth, Napa has outshone Sonoma. It’s natural resources are excellent: a fog comes in from the Pacific, keeping the vineyards cool, creating the perfect environment for quality grape growing. The varieties grown here are also different from those in Napa, growing mostly Chardonnay and the ever-popular Pinot Noir. This valley produces great acidity in its wine that is characterized also by a pleasant fruitiness. Interestingly enough, the land closer to the valley floor is worth more because the fog lingers longer here making better grapes. Sonoma’s most famous area is the Russian River Valley, just twenty kilometers from the ocean. Its main varieties are Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, even Viognier. Every area in Sonoma has its own particulars with its own strengths and great care is taken to reflect this in their wine. The valley has its sandier areas and, of course, volcanic soil as well. But the most determining environmental factor is its microclimate, the evidence of which can be seen in the price of the wine. Other well-known areas are Alexander Valley, Knights Valley to the east, Dry Creek Valley to the west, Chalk Hills, to the south lies Green Valley. Looking at my wine notes, Sonoma’s Chardonnays received the most stars, many of them three (very good in my book!). A few Pinot Noirs also received stars and coming in third place was Merlot. It is no wonder more than half the wines at our Thursday wine tasting have come from here. I can hardly wait. There are still places available if you want to come!!!