Sonoma Valley AVA
California’s Sonoma Valley, also known as Valley of the Moon, is situated between the Mayacamas Mountains (which separate it from the Napa Valley to the east) and the Sonoma Mountain range on the west. The northern end of the Sonoma Valley AVA starts just southeast of Santa Rosa and extends in a southeasterly direction to San Pablo Bay; it includes the Sonoma portion of the Carneros AVA. The smaller Sonoma Mountain AVA is part of the Sonoma Valley AVA. The southern end of the valley (Carneros) is cooler, and Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Noir, and Merlot DO better there. Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel DO well in various warmer locations around the valley and in the mountains. There are about thirty wineries in the Sonoma Valley AVA. including the valley’s first winery—the original Buena Vista winery, established by agoston haraszthy.
The New Wine Lovers Companion, 2nd Edition, by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst. Copyright © (1) 2003, 1995 by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst. Reprinted by arrangement with Barron's Educational Series, Inc.