Appellation
Sonoma County, around forty-five minutes north of San Francisco, is amongst the most recognised names in American wine. With more than four-hundred wineries, twenty-four-thousand hectares of vineyard, and a reputation for producing wines of supreme quality, Sonoma - along with neighbouring Napa- is a leading light in an increasingly bright Californian wine scene.
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The first vines were planted around what is now the city of Sonoma in the early 1800s, and viticultural practice very quickly established itself across the county thereafter. By the 1920s, nearly nine-thousand hectares of vineyard had altered the area's agricultural landscape beyond recognition, with two-hundred plus wineries experiencing rapid growth in demand, and new producers popping up all of the time. Prohibition of course brought progress to an abrupt halt, with less than a quarter of the county’s cellars reopening after its repeal in 1933. Growth in the industry remained slow thereafter and it is only really in the last fifty years or so, that Sonoma County wine - and that of California in general - has begun to assert itself on the world stage. Today, Sonoma boasts eighteen AVAs and produces approximately 6% of the state’s wine. Amongst the most highly regarded appellations are Russian River Valley - accounting for one sixth of the area’s vineyards and famed for its ethereal expressions of the Pinot Noir grape, and Knights Valley - close to the border with Napa, where full-bodied, Cabernet Sauvignon reigns supreme. In all, the county’s grape portfolio is reflective of the larger Californian picture with Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir the principal varieties, and Merlot, Zinfandel, Syrah and Sauvignon Blanc comprising the majority of the remainder. These seven leads account for more than 90% of the area under vine, but there are more than sixty grapes cultivated in total, ranging from obscure indigenous types to established European varieties. Blessed with a favourable climate, diverse typography and a stunning location on the Pacific coast, the wine industry here is a significant contributor to the Sonoma economy and is closely aligned with tourism. Wineries, whether small, boutique cellars or multi-site large scale operations, offer tours and tastings as standard, and the area’s acknowledged commitment to sustainable viticulture is a magnet for environmentally conscious wine lovers around the world. A quality-focussed, progressive wine region, Sonoma produces exceptional wines and is responsible for many of the greats on which California’s reputation has been built.
