AVA is a term used to define different grape growing regions throughout the United States. If you see California on a wine label, the wine inside could be made from grapes grown anywhere in California. If the label states the wine is from Sonoma County, then a minimum of 85% of the grapes must have been grown in Sonoma County. Within the Sonoma County’s Russian River Wine Road region, there are several AVAs, many of them overlapping.

The Russian River Wine Road region and all its winery members are in the Sonoma County AVA.  Within the Sonoma County AVA there are several smaller-AVAs, including the Russian River Valley, Alexander Valley and Dry Creek Valley. Now within these AVAs there are further sub-AVAs. A sub-AVA within the borders of Dry Creek Valley is Rockpile, and within the Russian River Valley you’ll find Green Valley and Chalk Hill.

How is an appellation defined?
Many appellation boundaries are easy to understand. In the case of California or Sonoma County, legal boundaries or borders are used. When it comes to sub-appellations other factors are considered.

Sub-appellation boundaries are defined by similar climatic conditions, soil types and weather patterns, or what the French call terroir. Variations in terroir contribute to different flavors in the same grape variety grown in different regions. Zinfandel grown in Dry Creek Valley typically has a different aroma and flavor profile than a Zinfandel grown in Russian River Valley or Alexander Valley.

For more information: Sonoma County Grape Growers Association

The AVAs that are represented in the Russian River Wine Road Association...

Alexander Valley:
This valley is named for the 19th century pioneer Cyrus Alexander, explorer of Northern Sonoma County and resident of this area.  Flanking the Russian River from Cloverdale to Healdsburg along heavily graveled benchlands one will find growing infinite amounts of world-class Cabernet Sauvignon. Considered one of the most diverse grape-growing regions in California, varieties including Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc prosper in the long, undulating valley floor and hillsides.  

Forty years ago, prunes and walnuts reigned supreme in Alexander Valley, and the flatlands were dotted with bovine herds.  Today, the lowlands produce Chardonnays that achieve a rich and flavorful ripeness. The warmer northern end of the valley favors Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Merlot and newcomers like the French Syrah and Italian Sangiovese.  Vineyards that scale the hillsides surrounding the valley floor provide fruit with deep and complex flavors.  Hunt around and you can still find some of the juiciest, most succulent prunes you’ve ever tasted.

Total acres: 32,536 - Vineyard acres: 15,000 - Number of wineries: 49 -  growing 23  different grape varietals.

Dry Creek Valley:
In many ways, Dry Creek Valley is quintessentially Sonoma County, where warm days are tempered by morning fog from the Pacific and food-friendly varieties like Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel boldly emerge, both on the narrow valley floor and the wooded hillsides above.

Originally planted by French immigrants in 1870, Italian pioneers soon discovered a vinous
geography that was reminiscent of their native Tuscany and Piedmont. They planted Petite Sirah, Zinfandel and Carignane to produce hearty red wines. Today, the leading varieties, after Zinfandel, include Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot.  The severe, stone-strewn soils are ideal for concentrated fruit and flavor characteristics, creating wines that are truly representational of the land.

The aptly named Rockpile AVA emerged from the Northern tip of Dry Creek Valley in 2002.  Known for its warm and sunny climate, and named for its roughed and unrelenting terrain, this area proves to cultivate rich Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Total acres: 78,387, Vineyards acres: 10,000, Number of wineries 81,  growing 26 different grape varietals.  

Russian River Valley
What makes Russian River Valley stand out is its climate. This low-lying flat plain extends south and west of Healdsburg as it winds its way along the Russian River and descents to meet the Pacific at Jenner, then makes it way towards the Golden Gate Bridge, ending about 55 miles North of this landmark. This area thrives from the costal influences of the Pacific Ocean, which makes it an exceptional place for growing cool-climate grapes like Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and sparkling wine grapes.

Russian River Valley is so expansive it has two smaller appellations: Green Valley and Chalk Hill. Green Valley is one of the smallest appellations in Sonoma County and is nestled in the Southwest corner of the Russian River Valley. This area is greatly affected by the cooling coastal elements, which benefits the cool-climate grapes that flourish in these conditions. Chalk Hill is a
unique little gem that is not only known for the varietals it produces, but also named for the soil it’s rooted upon: Chalk Hill derives its name from the chalky volcanic soil it sits atop.  By being situated in the Northwest corner, it is afforded warmer temperatures that allow whites to thrive along with Cabernet Sauvignon.

Russian River Valley Chardonnays are exceptional, being slightly more lean and refined than those of Alexander Valley, but the fruit is still developed enough to sustain months in oak barrels creating depth and complexity.  Pinot Noir brought this area international acclaim.  Where most red wines focus on flavor, Pinot Noir is about texture—the alluring sensual, velvety mouth-feel. It is a textural delight that can only be found where morning fog turns to warm afternoons so that fruit maturity is achieved without loss of depth and suppleness.

Total acres: 126,600, Vineyard acres: 10,000, Number of wineries: 130, growing 30 different grape varietals.