Sonoma County Wine Regions
The word diversity, describes the Sonoma wine region better than any other word: diversity in the wines produced there, diversity in the local climate, diversity in geography and in the spectacular scenery. In fact, it is the very diversity in microclimates that has allowed Sonoma County to keep pace with its wine producing neighbors in the Napa Valley.
Sonoma County has 1,800 vineyard owners and more than 350 wineries that work together to produce a variety of world-class wines. The county is home to 13 American Viticulture Areas (AVAs) or, more simply, wine regions where particular wine varieties grow and thrive. Each region possesses a distinct combination of soils, climate and wine varieties unique to the region. This ranges from cool climate thriving Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to warmer weather favorites such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel and more.
Note: The 13th Sonoma County region (not shown) is Northern Sonoma. It combines Dry Creek Valley, Alexander Valley, Knights Valley, Chalk Hill, Russian River Valley and Green Valley.
A good way to discover Sonoma County is to concentrate on one wine growing region at a time. Alexander Valley, Dry Creek, Chalk Hill and Russian River are some of the better known appellations at the north end of the county, while Sonoma Valley and Carneros hug the southern border with Napa County.
