Rockpile AVA

Rockpile
Wine region
TypeAmerican Viticultural Area
Year established2002
Years of wine industry182
CountryUnited States
Part ofCalifornia, North Coast AVA, Sonoma County, Northern Sonoma AVA, Dry Creek Valley AVA
Precipitation (annual average)50 to 70 in (1,300–1,800 mm)
Soil conditionsLoam to clay loam
Total area15,400 acres (24.1 sq mi)
Size of planted vineyards160 acres (65 ha)
No. of vineyards11
Grapes producedCabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Shiraz, Zinfandel

Rockpile is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in northern-most area of Sonoma County, California overlapping the northwestern corner of Dry Creek Valley appellation and adjacent to the southwestern shores of Lake Sonoma on the southern Mendocino Range. It was established on February 28, 2002 as the nation's 146th, the state's 88th and Sonoma County's twelfth appellation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by Jack W. Florence Sr. on behalf of the Rockpile Appellation Committee, proposing a viticultural area named "Rockpile." The viticultural area encompasses approximately 15,400 acres (24 sq mi) containing eleven vineyards cultivating about 160 acres (65 ha) that lie at or are above the 800 feet (240 m) contour line. The plant hardiness zone ranges from 9a to 10a.