USA
California
Californian wine regions are generally divided into American Viticultural Areas, or AVAs, which are delimited grapegrowing areas distinguishable by geographic, climatic and historic features. The boundaries have been delineated in a petition filed and accepted by the federal government. In size, AVAs range from extremely small to extremely large. AVAs are one kind of appellation, but not all appellations are AVAs. An appellation can also be a political designation, such as the name of a country, a state or states, or a county or counties within a state.
Napa Valley
Situated to the north of San Francisco, the Napa Valley stretches some 50 kilometres (approximately 31 miles) from north to south, and 8 kilometres (5 miles) from east to west. Nestled betweeen the dry Vaca mountain range to the east and the forested Mayacamas range to the west, the region benefits from a Mediterranean style climate, offering warm dry summers and wet cool winters. Rainfall usually occurs between October and May, while the regular occurance of fog cools the vines and helps to maintain the natural acidity in the fruit. Due to volcanic eruptions and a history of earth movements, the soils are diverse, supporting a wide array of grape varieties. The region has distinct microclimates and terrains, imprinting recognizable characteristics on the grapes grown within them. With a reputation for premium wines, the region produces rich Cabernet Sauvignons, fruity Pinot Noirs, Spicy Zinfandels, rich creamy Chardonnays and bright, fruity Sauvignon Blancs. While the Napa Valley is itself an appellation or American Viticultural Area (AVA), within the region exists 14 sub-appellations, or AVAs, including: Atlas Peak, Chiles Valley District, Diamond Mountain District, Howell Mountain, Los Carneros, Mt. Veeder, Oakville, Rutherford, St. Helena, Spring Mountain District, Stags Leap District, Yountville, Wild Horse Valley and Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley. The Calistoga appellation is still pending approval.
Our brands from this region:
- Beringer
- St. Clement
- Stags' Leap Winery
- Etude
- Sbragia Family Vineyards (Napa County)
Central Coast
The Central Coast American Viticultural Area (AVA) stretches roughly 250 miles (402 kilometres) along the coastline of California, from San Francisco County in the north to Santa Barbara County in the south, averaging about 25 miles (40 kilometres) in width. The region produces almost 15% of the state's total winegrape production.
Located within the Central Coast AVA, the Monterey and San Benito counties are home to some 38,200 acres of wine grapes. Chardonnay accounts for almost half of the total grape acreage. The second largest variety is Merlot, which is mainly produced in the warmer, southern area of the appellation. Together the two counties account for 7.7 % of total state production. While the steep slopes provide good drainage, Monterey County's cool climate and lack of abundant rainfall typically limits crop size.
San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties form the southernmost district of the Central Coast AVA. Combined, they account for 6.3 % of total state production. In contrast to San Luis Obispo County, where the the primary wine grape varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, Santa Barbara County is known for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Located halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo County enjoys warm, clear and calm days. Typically, the night time temperature falls as a marine layer moves over the region after sunset. Varying elevations, proximity to the ocean, and the situation of numerous canyons and valleys combine to produce diverse macroclimates, allowing production of both cool and warm climate varieties. The region has four general soil types, primarily formed from the weathering of granite, serpentine, shale and sandstone.
In Santa Barbara County, the north-south coastal range of mountains abruptly turns to run almost east-west for 50 miles (80 kilometres), framing the valleys in a unique transit to the Pacific Ocean. This is the only stretch of land from Alaska to Cape Horn constituting an east-west traverse. The unique topography allows the flow of fog and ocean breezes to shape distinct microclimates and makes the region one of the coolest viticultural areas in California. However, warmer daytime temperatures in the inland areas allow a wide variety of winegrapes to be grown. Terrain and climates vary widely, from steep, wind-swept hillsides to rolling inland valley vineyards where summer temperatures often reach the century mark.
Our brands from this region:
Sonoma
Sonoma County is located along the Pacific coast, just north of San Francisco and west of the Napa Valley. The Sonoma region enjoys a diverse landscape, with rolling hills, redwoods, the Russian River and the spectacular Pacific Coast. Spread over an area of almost 17,000 hectares, the region produces a diverse array of varieties, including Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris. While the climate can vary dramatically, offshore breezes and fogs generally keep temperatures cool, making it ideal for growing more delicate varieties.
Our brands from this region:
- Chateau St. Jean
- Chateau Souverain
- Cellar No. 8
- Sbragia Family Vineyards (Sonoma County)
