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Sonoma County Wine Appellations

There are 19 distinct Sonoma County wine appellations,  wine growing regions known as American Viticultural Areas (AVAs). Each has a unique climate and geography and directly correlates to the wine in your glass. From warm, sunny days to cooler, fog covered valley floors, the variations in the geography and climate influence each individual region in many ways.

Our Sonoma County AVA map is available for download as high resolution and low resolution JPEGs and PDFs. Also please take a moment to read the usage guidelines included in the download folder.

Download AVA Map + Usage Guidelines
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Sonoma County AVA Map
Sonoma County AVA Topographical Map

Sonoma County AVA Topographical Map

Discover why Sonoma County is such a special and world-renowned wine region. With more than 60 varietals of wines and over 400 wineries, there is a Sonoma County wine for all palates – from heat-loving Cabernet Sauvignon to cool-climate Riesling, with everyone’s favorites Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in between.

We’ve partnered with a third-party vendor to create educational Sonoma County topographical maps that are available for direct purchase.

Purchase Topographical Map

Sonoma County AVAs at a Glance

Alexander Valley

In the heart of Geyserville, Alexander Valley is home to multi-generational grape growers, premium wineries, and acres of breathtaking vistas. An undiscovered and idyllic place to visit, Alexander Valley is proud of its small-town roots, and big-time Cabernet. We invite you to taste our wines, spend time in the beauty of our valley, and celebrate our way of life. This is Cab Country.

Learn More About Alexander Valley

14,449

Vineyard Acres

43

Wineries

1984

Established

Cabernet Sauvignon

Key Varieties

Bennett Valley

Merlot shines in Bennett Valley like nowhere else, with volcanic-laced, clayey soils and a moderately cool climate that results in extended hang time. The long growing season helps maximize flavors and increase concentration, while the cooler temperatures preserve the grapes’ natural acidity.

Learn More About Bennett Valley

900+

Vineyard Acres

17

Wineries

2003

Established

Chardonnay, Merlot

Key Varieties

Carneros

One of the world’s premier winegrowing regions, Carneros is a cool climate appellation known for its unassailable Chardonnays, elegant Pinot Noirs and spectacular sparkling wines. Fun fact: Carneros was the first wine region based on climate rather than political boundaries.

Learn More About Carneros

6,481

Vineyard Acres

22

Wineries

1983

Established

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir

Key Varieties

Chalk Hill

Soil, climate and elevation all separate Chalk Hill from other parts of Sonoma’s Russian River Valley. Occupying the northeast corner of the Russian River AVA, Chalk Hill is named for its chalky white ash soils. These mildly fertile soils lend themselves to the production of excellent whites, particularly Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

Learn More About Chalk Hill

1,491

Vineyard Acres

5

Wineries

1983

Established

Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon

Key Varieties

Dry Creek Valley

Approximately 16 miles long and two miles wide, Dry Creek Valley is one of the smallest enclosed American Viticultural Areas. Roughly 9,300 acres of vineyards extend along the valley floor, the surrounding benchlands and hillsides, and 58 wineries produce a diverse selection of wines ranging from the renowned Zinfandels to Bordeaux and Mediterranean varietals.

Learn More About Dry Creek Valley

8,055

Vineyard Acres

63

Wineries

1983

Established

Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon

Key Varieties

Fort Ross – Seaview

Fort Ross-Seaview American viticultural area is located in the western part of Sonoma County, close to the Pacific Ocean, Vineyards within this area are generally located on rounded ridges with summits extending above 1,200 feet consisting of steep, mountainous terrain made up of canyons, narrow valleys, ridges and 800- to 1,800-foot peaks.

Learn More About Fort Ross-Seaview

715

Vineyard Acres

5

Wineries

2012

Established

Pinot Noir

Key Varieties

Fountaingrove District

Located in a section of eastern Sonoma County that is comprised of 500 hillside acres. Home to five wineries and more than 35 vineyards, the AVA is noted for its Bordeaux varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc as well as Syrah and Zinfandel. The area is surrounded by Sonoma Valley and Bennett Valley to the south, Knights Valley and Chalk Hill to the north, and the Russian River Valley to the west. The most remarkable feature of the district is its elevation, up to more than 2,000 feet in some places, as well as a marine influence caused by a gap in the mountains in Santa Rosa.

Learn More About Fountaingrove District

600

Vineyard Acres

4

Wineries

2015

Established

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah

Key Varieties

Green Valley

Foggy and filled with Goldridge soil for growing perfect Pinot Noir, Green Valley is one of the smallest appellations in Sonoma County. It’s very tightly delineated, both geographically and climatically, and is the most consistent of any North Coast appellation in terms of soil, climate and flavor.

Learn More About Green Valley

2,860

Vineyard Acres

10

Wineries

1983

Established

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir

Key Varieties

Knights Valley

Knights Valley, the most remote of Sonoma County’s appellations, snuggles up against Mt. St. Helena, the area’s most influential geographical feature. The unique character of this appellation can be discovered in its mountain vineyards, where ideal growing conditions have resulted in Cabernet Sauvignon of regal quality.

Learn More About Knights Valley

2,496

Vineyard Acres

2

Wineries

1983

Established

Cabernet Sauvignon

Key Varieties

Moon Mountain

Moon Mountain District lies east of Highway 12 and spans 17,663 acres, which includes 1,500 acres of commercial vineyards planted at elevations from 400 to 2,200 feet. It’s located within the Sonoma Valley AVA, but the Moon Mountain vintners and growers have long wanted to distinguish their high elevation wines on the labels.

Learn More About Moon Mountain

1,500

Vineyard Acres

4

Wineries

2013

Established

Cabernet Sauvignon

Key Varieties

Northern Sonoma

This AVA is as vast and amorphous as its name, encompassing Chalk Hill, Knights Valley, Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Russian River Valley, most of Green Valley as well as portions of Rockpile and Pine Mountain-Cloverdale Peak.

32,900

Vineyard Acres

1990

Established

Cabernet Sauvignon

Key Varieties

Petaluma Gap

The Petaluma Gap is the gateway to Sonoma County wine country. Only 25 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge, Petaluma Gap vineyards are tucked into valleys and scattered on hillsides in perfect harmony with the area’s rural open space and rich agricultural history. With more than 80 vineyards covering over 4,000 acres, Petaluma Gap is truly a distinctive region within the Sonoma Coast AVA.

Learn More About Petaluma Gap

4,000

Vineyard Acres

9

Wineries

2017

Established

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay & Syrah

Key Varieties

Pine Mountain – Cloverdale Peak

This viticultural area is within the multi-county North Coast viticultural area and overlaps the northernmost portion of the Alexander Valley AVA and Northern Sonoma AVA. The distinguishing features include mountainous soils, steep topography with high elevations and a growing season climate that contrasts with the climate of the Alexander Valley floor.

Learn More About Pine Mountain – Cloverdale Peak

310

Vineyard Acres

1

Wineries

2011

Established

Cabernet Sauvignon

Key Varieties

Rockpile

Spreading west of Lake Sonoma to the Mendocino County border, Rockpile is known for intensely-flavored red grape varietals with great concentration and balance. The elevations of up to 1,900 feet expose the vines to more California warmth and sunshine, boosting their ripeness and richness.

Learn More About Rockpile

192

Vineyard Acres

0

Wineries

2002

Established

Zinfandel

Key Varieties

Russian River Valley

The Russian River Valley climate is sculpted by the regular intrusion of cooling fog from the Pacific Ocean a few miles to the west. The fog arrives in the evening, often dropping the temperature 35 to 40 degrees from its daytime high, and retreats to the ocean the following morning. This natural air-conditioning allows the grapes to develop full flavor maturity over an extended growing season.

Learn More About Russian River Valley

14,167

Vineyard Acres

94

Wineries

1983

Established

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir

Key Varieties

Sonoma Coast

The Sonoma Coast AVA extends from San Pablo Bay to the border with Mendocino County. The appellation is known for its cool climate and high rainfall relative to other parts of Sonoma County. Close to the Pacific, with more than twice the annual rainfall of its inland neighbors, it’s warm enough to ripen wine grapes because most vineyards are above the fog line.

Learn More About Sonoma Coast

5,055

Vineyard Acres

7

Wineries

1987

Established

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir

Key Varieties

Sonoma Mountain

The 2,400-foot Sonoma Mountain range rises above the town of Glen Ellen at the western edge of the Valley of the Moon. These vineyards fall within the larger Sonoma Valley AVA. However, due to the unique hillside terroir, they are entitled to use the more specific designation of the Sonoma Mountain AVA. Powerful, yet elegant Cabernet Sauvignons – the appellation’s specialty – grow here on well-drained soils.

Learn More About Sonoma Mountain

310

Vineyard Acres

3

Wineries

1985

Established

Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay

Key Varieties

Sonoma Valley

The appellation is bordered by two mountain ranges: the Mayacamas Mountains to the east and the Sonoma Mountains to the west. Along with being the center of Sonoma County’s winemaking history, the area is also known for its unique terroir, protected from the wet and cool influence of the nearby Pacific Ocean by Sonoma Mountain.

Learn More About Sonoma Valley

Sonoma County Vineyards
192

Vineyard Acres

100+

Wineries

1981

Established

Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay

Key Varieties

West Sonoma Coast

West Sonoma Coast is located on the furthest western sliver of Sonoma County encompassing the steep, rugged mountainous terrain along the Pacific Ocean coastline with elevations of the AVA ranging from 400 to 1,800 feet. Bright acidity, moderate alcohol, and pure flavors are the qualities that are often associated with the wines from the West Sonoma Coast.

Learn More About West Sonoma Coast

West Sonoma Coast AVA
1,028

Vineyard Acres

28

Wineries

2022

Established

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir

Key Varieties

About

Sonoma County Vintners (SCV) connects Sonoma County wine and the global marketplace for the sustainable growth and prosperity of our members and community. SCV represents over 250 wineries throughout the county. The organization actively promotes Sonoma County and its world-class wineries through educational programming and marketing initiatives; advocates for its members at local, state and federal levels; and contributes to the local communities through the Sonoma County Vintners Foundation. Sonoma County Wine Celebration, its annual fundraiser, benefits nonprofit organizations throughout the region.

Sonoma County Vintners

  • 400 Aviation Blvd, Suite 500 Santa Rosa, CA
  • 707-522-5840
  • Contact us

@SonomaCountyVintners
#SonomaWine #SipSonoma

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