Sonoma Valley|
Sonoma County AVAs |
| Type | American Viticultural Area |
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| Year established | 1981 |
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| Years of wine industry | 169 |
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| Country | United States |
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| Part of | California, North Coast AVA, Sonoma County |
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| Other regions in California, North Coast AVA, Sonoma County | Sonoma Coast AVA, Chalk Hill AVA, Alexander Valley AVA, Green Valley of Russian River Valley AVA, Dry Creek Valley AVA, Russian River Valley AVA, West Sonoma Coast AVA, Knights Valley AVA |
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| Sub-regions | Bennett Valley AVA, Los Carneros AVA, Sonoma Mountain AVA, Moon Mountain District Sonoma County AVA |
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| Growing season | 249 days |
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| Climate region | Region I-II |
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| Heat units | 1,500–2,964 GDD |
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| Precipitation (annual average) | less than 20 to 50 in (510–1,270 mm) |
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| Soil conditions | clay loam to loams on steep to level slopes |
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| Total area | 72,402 acres (113 sq mi) |
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| Size of planted vineyards | 13,000 acres (5,300 ha) |
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| Grapes produced | Aleatico, Alicante Bouschet, Barbera, Burger, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignane, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Grand Noir, Grenache, Lenoir, Malbec, Marsanne, Merlot, Mourvedre, Muscadelle, Muscat Canelli, Nebbiolo, Palomino, Petit Bouschet, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Pinot noir, Primitivo , Riesling, Roussanne, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Silvaner, Syrah, Tannat, Tempranillo, Teroldego, Trousseau Gris, Viognier, Zinfandel |
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| No. of wineries | 114 |
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Sonoma Valley is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located within the Sonoma Valley landform occupying the southeastern portion of Sonoma County, California. The name "Sonoma" means 'Valley of the Moon' in the indigenous Chocuyen dialect. The wine appellation was established on December 4, 1981, as the nation's ninth, the state's seventh and the county's initial AVA by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by the Sonoma Valley Vintners Association of Santa Rosa, on behalf of Sonoma Valley wineries and grape growers proposing the new viticultural area named "Sonoma Valley."
The 72,402-acre (113 sq mi) viticultural area cultivates 13,000 acres (5,300 ha) under vine and is flanked by two mountain ranges: the Mayacamas Mountains to the east and the Sonoma Mountains to the west. The plant hardiness zone ranges from 9a to 10a.