If you’re a wine enthusiast looking for your next adventure, Sonoma County is probably on your to-visit list. With 19 distinct American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) spread across a diverse landscape, this California wine region will give you an opportunity to learn more about what pleases your palate.
The AVA designated zones range from foggy coastal regions to sunnier inland valleys, the cool Petaluma Gap, to the warmer Moon Mountain District with its volcanic soil. The varied terrain and climate patterns within Sonoma County support the growth of many grape varieties and create unique terroir, all contributing to the area’s standing in the wine world.
The establishment of Sonoma’s AVA system began in the early 1980s with the recognition of its initial appellations. Sonoma County’s winemaking history started long before though, with founding fathers taking advantage of the sunshine-filled days and fertile soils of the region to make different styles of wine. A study of Sonoma wines parralels the history of the California.
A visit to Sonoma County, and explors its wineries, highlights the connection between local environments and wine production, as well as the continuing development of winemaking methods in the area, make visiting Sonoma wine country a popular destination for wine tourism.
Sonoma County’s 19 American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) showcase the region’s diverse terroir and winemaking traditions (and note that some of the AVAs straddle the line with Napa County). Let’s take a tour through them and some of the wineries you may want to visit (there are a variety of ways to enjoy wine tasting in Sonoma).
Alexander Valley AVA
Established in 1984, Alexander Valley covers 14,449 acres of vineyards near Geyserville. This region is known for its Cabernet Sauvignon, benefiting from warm days and cool nights that contribute to grape ripening. The rocky soils here lead to lower yields and tannin-rich wines.
A few of the wineries for your consideration:
- Alexander Valley Vineyards
- Jordan Winery
- Simi Winery
- Stonestreet Estate Vineyards
- Stuhlmuller Vineyards
Bennett Valley AVA
Created in 2003, Bennett Valley encompasses 700 acres of wine grapes southeast of Santa Rosa. This cooler climate area, surrounded by hills that funnel ocean breezes, focuses on Merlot, Syrah, and Chardonnay.
A few of the wineries for your consideration:
- Coursey Graves
- Matanzas Creek Winery
- Belden Barns
- Bennett Valley Cellars
- Kendall-Jackson
Carneros – Sonoma AVA
Established in 1983, Carneros straddles Sonoma and Napa counties in southern Sonoma County. This cool-climate region, influenced by San Pablo Bay, is known for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
A few of the wineries for your consideration:
- Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards
- Cline Family Cellars
- Anaba Wines
- Domaine Carneros
Chalk Hill AVA
Founded in 1983, Chalk Hill is located northeast of Windsor. Named for its distinctive white volcanic ash soils, this area specializes in Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.
A few of the wineries for your consideration:
- Chalk Hill Estate Winery
- Rodney Strong Vineyards
- Roth Estate Winery
- Foley Sonoma
- Notre Vue Estate Winery & Vineyards
Dry Creek Valley AVA
Established in 1983, Dry Creek Valley covers 8,055 vineyard acres northwest of Healdsburg. This warm climate region with marine influence is known for Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc.
A few of the wineries for your consideration:
- Dry Creek Vineyard
- Quivira Vineyards
- Seghesio Family Vineyards
- Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery
- Pedroncelli Winery
Fort Ross-Seaview AVA
Created in 2012, Fort Ross-Seaview spans 555 vineyard acres on the western edge of Sonoma Coast. With vineyards at 900-1,800 feet elevation, often above the fog line, it focuses on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
A few of the wineries for your consideration:
- Fort Ross Vineyard & Winery
- Flowers Vineyards & Winery
- Hirsch Vineyards
- Peay Vineyards
Fountaingrove District AVA
Established in 2015, Fountaingrove District covers 600 vineyard acres east of Santa Rosa. This hillside region, with elevations up to 2,000 feet, is known for Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah.
A few of the wineries for your consideration:
- Fountaingrove Winery
- Enkidu Wine
- Lazzari Vineyards
- Cornell Vineyards
Green Valley of Russian River Valley AVA
Founded in 1983, Green Valley is located in the southwestern part of Russian River Valley. Known for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, this cool, foggy region spans 2,860 vineyard acres.
A few of the wineries for your consideration:
- DeLoach Vineyards
- Dutton-Goldfield Winery
- Iron Horse Vineyards
- Marimar Estate
Knights Valley AVA
Established in 1983, Knights Valley covers 2,496 vineyard acres in northeastern Sonoma County. This warm climate region is known for Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc.
A few of the wineries for your consideration:
- Peter Michael Winery
- Knights Bridge Winery
- Beringer Vineyards
- Anakota
Moon Mountain District Sonoma County AVA
Created in 2013, Moon Mountain District spans 1,500 vineyard acres on the eastern slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains. This high-elevation region focuses on Cabernet Sauvignon.
A few of the wineries for your consideration:
- Repris Wines
- Kamen Estate Wines
- Stone Edge Farm Estate
- Hanzell Vineyards
Northern Sonoma AVA
Established in 1985, Northern Sonoma is a large AVA encompassing 32,900 vineyard acres across several other AVAs. This diverse region produces a variety of wines, with Cabernet Sauvignon being a key variety.
A few of the wineries for your consideration:
- Rodney Strong Vineyards
- Gallo Family Vineyards
- Francis Ford Coppola Winery
- Soda Rock Winery
Petaluma Gap AVA
Founded in 2017, Petaluma Gap covers 4,000 vineyard acres in southern Sonoma County. Named for a wind gap that funnels cool air and fog, this region is known for Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah.
A few of the wineries for your consideration:
- Keller Estate
- Cline Family Cellars
- Adobe Road Winery
- Sangiacomo Family Wines
- McEvoy Ranch
Pine Mountain – Cloverdale Peak AVA
Established in 2011, Pine Mountain – Cloverdale Peak spans 310 vineyard acres on the northern edge of Alexander Valley. This high-elevation region (1,600-3,000 feet) is known for Cabernet Sauvignon.
A few of the wineries for your consideration:
- Captûre Wines
- Imagery Estate Winery
- Silverwood Ranch
- Tin Cross Vineyards
- BobDog Wines & Sky Pine Vineyards
Rockpile AVA
Created in 2002, Rockpile is located northwest of Dry Creek Valley. Known for intense Zinfandel, this high-elevation region sits above Lake Sonoma.
A few of the wineries for your consideration:
- Mauritson Wines
- Rockpile Winery
- Carol Shelton Wines
- Branham Estate Wines
Russian River Valley AVA
Established in 1983, Russian River Valley covers 15,000 vineyard acres in central Sonoma County. This cool-climate region, influenced by coastal fog, is known for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
A few of the wineries for your consideration:
- Kosta Browne
- Williams Selyem
- Gary Farrell Winery
- Merry Edwards Winery
- Halleck Vineyards
Sonoma Coast AVA
Founded in 1987, Sonoma Coast spans 5,055 vineyard acres along western Sonoma County. This large, cool-climate region is known for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.Notable wineries:
- Flowers Vineyard & Winery
- Hirsch Vineyards
- Littorai Wines
- Fort Ross Vineyard & Winery
Sonoma Mountain AVA
Established in 1985, Sonoma Mountain covers 310 vineyard acres on the western slopes of Sonoma Mountain. This region, with diverse microclimates due to elevation changes, is known for Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel.
A few of the wineries for your consideration:
- Laurel Glen Vineyard
- Belden Barns
- Kamen Estate Wines
Sonoma Valley AVA
Created in 1981, Sonoma Valley spans approximately 5,500 vineyard acres in southeastern Sonoma County. This diverse region, bordered by the Mayacamas Mountains and Sonoma Mountain, produces a variety of wines.
A few of the wineries for your consideration:
- Buena Vista Winery
- Gundlach Bundschu Winery
- Benziger Family Winery
- Kunde Family Winery
- Muscardini Cellars
West Sonoma Coast AVA
Established in 2022, West Sonoma Coast is the newest AVA in Sonoma County. Located in the westernmost part of Sonoma Coast, this cool-climate region focuses on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
A few of the wineries for your consideration:
- Peay Vineyards
- Littorai Wines
- Red Car Wine
- Flowers Vineyard & Winery
- Freeman Winery
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