Alexander Valley AVA Rockpile AVA (not pictured) Within the 76,000 total acres of this AVA, with A remote, high-country area, where the unfor- a variety of microclimates supporting a range Northern Sonoma giving terrain and soils stress the vines into of varieties. Cab reigns supreme on the ripening. Known for , Petite Sirah, gravelly terrain of the valley floor. Notable and . Perched at ele- , Zinfandel, , and Sauvignon vations up to 1,900 feet, Rockpile is too far up- Blanc. Cooler-climate varieties, like Gewürztra- land for the penetrating fogs that influence other miner and , have found a niche here in Sonoma appellations. the shadow of Mendocino. Just enough coastal fog finds its way up the Russian River Valley to create cool evening and morning conditions. This, however, gives way to hot mid-day tem- peratures in what is overall a relatively warm growing area. Knights Valley AVA The warmest of Sonoma County’s viticultural areas, Knights Valley derives its heat from its lofty perch, high on hills and beyond the reach of the Pacific Ocean. Cabernet Sauvignon fruit thrives in the fertile volcanic soils.

Dry Creek Valley AVA Dry Creek’s western end is anchored by “Lake Sonoma” -- a reservoir created to ensure a steady supply of fresh water for the vineyards downstream. Finally, Dry Creek Valley is feel- ing the power of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, the unchallenged ruler and rising star. Chalk Hill AVA Occupying the northeast corner of the larger Russian River AVA, Chalk Hill is named for its unique, volcanically-derived, chalky white ash soils. Mildly fertile soils lend to the pro- duction of excellent whites, particularly Char- donnay and . Enjoy a warmer climate, relative to the rest of the Russian Northern Sonoma AVA River Valley. Due to the higher elevation of This large, 329,000-acre catch-all AVA includes this viticultural area, vineyards escape much just about all of Sonoma County, including the of the cooling fog that regularly shrouds the smaller AVAs within it, except for its southern- lower-lying growing areas near the river. most appellations (Sonoma Valley and Carneros).

Russian River Valley AVA Internationally renowned for challenging varie- ties like , which excels in this cool- climate, yielding highly expressive wines. A Green Valley of Russian lean and restrained style of Chardonnay is also a signature cepage for the region. One sixth of River Valley AVA Sonoma County's total vineyard acres fall Small swath of land that takes a southwestern within the Russian River AVA boundaries, all slice from the larger Russian River Valley AVA. sharing to varying degrees the defining charac- More exposure to the Pacific’s cooling. Known teristic of cooling fog that is drawn inland from for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, as well as Alsa- the Pacific each day. tians like Gewürztraminer.