Russian Colonists planted grapes at Fort Ross (Sonoma Coast.)
Sonoma County Wine, Established 1812
Sonoma County wine is crafted in a dream destination breathtaking ocean views, spectacular summits, impossibly tall trees and unforgettable epicurean experiences. But for those of us who work the land, we know that what’s underfoot counts the most: the sites, the soils and the roots. Sonoma County wine could not have become the world-class beverage we know and love today without the pioneers that started it all. Russian colonists planted grapes on the coast of Sonoma County in 1812, and history is continually being made by innovative vintners.
Sonoma County’s Geography Can’t be Summed Up Easily
Valleys, plains, mountaintops, forests, riverbeds and ocean cliffs create a unique geographical palette resulting in a staggering amount of microclimates: trying to find one uniform characteristic to sum up Sonoma County geography is a challenge.
There are, however, a few noteworthy features that influence the winegrowing regions of Sonoma County. Long before vineyards covered the land, Sonoma County was an inland sea. Tectonic upheavals of the coastal plates created the present day Mayacamas Mountains that form the eastern boundary of the county, and created a soil structure in these areas defined by ash and lava. In addition to this rare distinction, Sonoma County is also home to more soil types than are found in all of France, creating a unique patchwork of site, soil and geographic rarities unlike any other region in the world.
Most wine regions benefit from proximity to a body of water, and for Sonoma County it’s the Russian River and the 60 miles of oceanic coastline. Meandering through a lush valley of vineyards, the rolling Russian River river provides a conduit for pulling fog through Healdsburg and into the Alexander Valley. On the west side of the county, the Russian River continues its run through Green Valley and empties into the ocean at Jenner.
A land of unlimited potential for grape growing and winemaking, Sonoma County is an inspiring place to live and work.
You Won’t Find a More Diverse Region for Grape Growing than Sonoma County
A nearly infinite array of microclimates provide the magic for our vineyards, but every site has the positive benefit of Sonoma County’s overall ideal combination of weather, temperature, fog and rainfall.
Sonoma County is heavily influenced by its close proximity to nearly 60 miles of Pacific Coast shoreline, and its cool nights and temperate days create the perfect conditions to draw in layers of oceanic fog to chill Sonoma’s warm interior valleys. Daytime temperatures average a comfortable 71˚F, with the warmest summer days rarely topping 84˚F. Nighttime temperatures stay mostly in the 40s, meaning hard frosts are a rarity, even during critical flowering time for grapes. At the start of fall harvest, the weather remains moderate with little to no rainfall. Sonoma County experiences no measurable snow or hail and normal rainfall measures between 25 and 30 inches a year.
Grapes thrive in this climate and, while Sonoma County does experience occasional temperature extreme and hard rains, the reliably moderate diurnal swings are tempered by coastal fog and only trace amounts of summer rain. Grapes thrive here; winegrowers flock here. And while growing grapes isn’t as easy as putting a stick in the ground and watching it grow, our local growers will agree that Sonoma County is one of the world’s most ideal growing regions.
Sonoma County Wine Facts
6%
of the land is planted to vineyards
3 years
from vineyard planting to first crop
60+
grape varieties grown in Sonoma County
202,304
tons of grapes harvested in 2021
500 – 2,000
vines planted per acre
1.5-7 tons
of grapes produced per acre
295
bottles of wine in a barrel
30
pounds of grapes per case of wine
2.4
pounds of grapes in one bottle of wine
Winegrapes Grown in Sonoma County
For those who are devoted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Sonoma County has incredible wines for you. If you are a wine aficionado who is eager to discover a new varietal, Sonoma County has so much to explore with more than 60 varieties of grapes!
