Surprising Sonoma County Wine Facts You Might Not Know

For all you wine lovers, you know there is something special about wine made in Sonoma. The lush vineyards of California produce a diverse array of grapes. This abundance of grape varieties and the specific techniques Sonoma winemakers use are just two of the many Sonoma County wine facts that make this region so special. Many Sonoma County wine facts center around the region’s rich history. This article will touch upon the grapes, wineries, and culture that make Sonoma wine so sought after. The world-class wines crafted in Sonoma are one of my favorites to write and talk about.

The Heart of Sonoma Wine Country

Sonoma County has a diverse geographical landscape with a ton of microclimates. These microclimates influence everything from wine regions and appellations (AVAs) to the types of grapes that grow best. One interesting Sonoma County wine fact is that the Mayacamas Mountains, which serve as the County’s eastern boundary, were once an inland sea.

The Mayacamas Mountains were created from shifts within the tectonic plates. The resulting soil in those areas is defined by lava and ash, which makes for interesting Sonoma County wine facts. Sonoma County has more soil types than all of France.

Why Are the Russian River and the Pacific Ocean Important?

The Russian River and the Pacific Ocean are extremely important to Sonoma Wine Country. They create many ideal conditions in this wine region by helping regulate temperature through a constant flow of moderate flow of fog, mist, and wind, a fact many people don’t realize when thinking about Sonoma County wine facts.

The Russian River and Pacific Ocean create favorable conditions that affect everything from grape growing to harvesting and vinification. They provide a cool climate that allows grapes to ripen slowly and develop complex flavors. The Russian River Valley AVAWhat is the true meaning of Appellation?... More is particularly known for its Pinot Noir wines, which are filled with elegance and complexity.

History of Sonoma County Wine Facts

Some of the earliest roots of Sonoma’s wine history date back to 1812 when Russian colonists planted grapes along the Sonoma Coast. It wouldn’t be right to leave out key historical Sonoma County wine facts.

Just over ten years later, in 1823, Father Jose Altamira (or perhaps his Native American helpers) from Mission San Francisco Solano planted thousands more grapevines to make sacramental wine. These early plantings marked the beginning of a long and rich history of winemaking in Sonoma County.

The Birthplace of the California Wine Industry

By 1857, Hungarian immigrant Agoston Haraszthy established Buena Vista Winery, the first premium winery in Sonoma. Buena Vista Vineyards is still operating today. Haraszthy played a significant role in establishing viticulture, solidifying him as a key figure in California’s wine history.

One fascinating Sonoma County wine fact is that when a grape disease called Phylloxera wiped out vineyards in Europe during the 1860s, the roots of Californian wine grapevines helped to re-establish vineyards worldwide. California wine grapes were resistant to the disease, they were grafted to European vine stock to replant vineyards in Europe.

Impact of Prohibition on Sonoma Wine

One dark spot in Sonoma County wine facts is the impact of Prohibition, from 1920 to 1933. Prohibition decimated the wine industry. Out of the 256 wineries that existed before Prohibition, only about 50 survived.

Thankfully, Sonoma is a booming wine region once again and is home to one of the largest collections of small, family-owned wineries. These days, Sonoma County produces over 6% of California’s wines. More than 1,800 grape growers in the region plant over 60 varieties spread over nearly 63,000 acres.

Exploring the Varietals – Sonoma County Wine Facts

Of all the fascinating Sonoma County wine facts, learning more about the specific varietals grown is the most interesting and helpful. Because Sonoma has a vast diversity of growing conditions, some areas favor specific varietals over others.

Sonoma produces over 60 grape varieties, however, some of the main types to keep an eye out for are Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Merlot, and Syrah. With so many grape varieties planted here, trying them all is worth it. Many consumers appreciate it when wineries give simple details when discussing wine.

Sonoma County Wine Facts – Grapes By The Numbers

There is so much to unpack regarding facts about Sonoma County wines. Below is a handy reference table highlighting how many tons of the key varieties of grapes were crushed during the 2021 harvest.

Spotlight On Pinot Noir – A Deep Dive into Sonoma County Wine Facts

If you haven’t experienced a Pinot Noir from Sonoma, then you are missing out. Pinot Noir grapes produce smooth tanninsTannins in Wine Tannins in wine are phen... More, making this a very popular varietal. If you think back to some of those earlier Sonoma County wine facts about Sonoma wines saving Europe after phylloxera, many European vines are based on early Pinot Noir varietals. Pinot Noir takes up 13,000 acres of all the red grape varietals grown. There are some really good articles from writers about Sonoma County wine facts.

Pinot Noir is grown across numerous sub-regions, each known for offering its own unique subtle expression. Here’s what some Pinot producers have to say about how the varietal grows best:

• Pine Mountain AVA – These vineyards are defined by their high elevations. The higher altitude results in higher sun intensity, creating intense flavor profiles that aren’t common to wines made closer to sea level.
• Russian River Valley AVA –It’s generally considered one of the most notable Pinot Noir regions. Many have argued it’s reminiscent of classic Burgundian wines. The Russian River is particularly suited to producing great Pinot Noirs due to the seabed of limestone that formed in an area that was previously an inland sea. This, combined with foggy mornings, creates a long growing season. What helps create complex flavor profiles are the intense afternoons that push those varietals to the next level. You’ll even pick up hints of black currant and spice flavors in many Pinot’s made here.
• Fort Ross-Seaview AVA – Pinot’s grown here are much lighter, as this is one of the cooler climates in Sonoma Wine Country.
• Los Carneros AVA – Pinots in Carneros while light, tend to exhibit subtle notes of salinity due to the heavier flow of fog rolling off the Pacific Ocean through the Petaluma Gap.

Other Important Key Varieties

Beyond Pinot Noir, other varietals stand out due to their unique expressions of Sonoma:

• Dry Creek Valley AVA – If you love Zinfandel, this is a region you don’t want to skip. Zinfandels thrive in heat and grow better than almost anywhere else.
• Alexander Valley AVA – The Cabernet Sauvignon varietals showcase an intensity often absent from wines made elsewhere. Alexander Valley has scorching afternoons during the growing season, thanks to the fog generated by the Pacific Ocean.
• Sonoma Coast – As expected, due to the heavier flow of fog from the Pacific Ocean, this area favors light wines. Pinot Noirs is a key variety here, but this area produces incredible Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.
• Bennett Valley AVA – Because of the wide range of terroirs in Bennett Valley, grape growers grow a large diversity of wine grapes. Chardonnay and Merlot tend to shine in Bennet Valley.

Beyond the Grapes – Additional Sonoma County Wine Facts

But Sonoma County wine facts are not all about history or geography—they’re also about the winemaking traditions. Did you know it takes approximately three years from planting vines for grapes to be ready for their first harvest? And, depending on the density of planting, growers will plant anywhere between 500 and 2,000 vines on a single acre.

An average of 5 and 7 tons of grapes are harvested per acre of planted vines. Sonoma winemakers pay close attention to these yields because smaller yields can result in more complex flavor profiles. These facts are important to consider. For example, the Green Valley AVA is known for its cool climate and long growing season, which allows the grapes to develop complex flavors.

FAQs about Sonoma County Wine Facts

What wine is Sonoma County known for?

While Sonoma produces over sixty wine grape varietals, a few are particularly well-known. Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel grapes produce award-winning reds in this region, with Alexander Valley and Dry Creek Valleys known for their Cabernets. But perhaps Sonoma’s best-known varietal is Pinot Noir. Pinot Noir wines from Sonoma County are known for their elegance, complexity, and balance.

What are two unique characteristics that the Sonoma wine region is known for?

Sonoma Wine Country is known for its wide diversity of soils and abundance of microclimates. Sonoma has more diverse soil types than all of France.

Why is Sonoma called Wine Country?

Sonoma is considered the birthplace of the California Wine Industry, with grape growing and winemaking dating back to the early 19th Century. Its eighteen American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) make Sonoma Wine Country unique and expansive. The region’s diverse terroirs mean an unparalleled diversity in grapes grown. Combine these details with over 425 wineries, and you get Wine Country.

What are some interesting facts about California wine?

Well, one interesting Sonoma County wine fact that people probably don’t know is how significant a role California wines played in saving Europe’s vineyards after they were wiped out by disease. European vineyards get many of their rootstocks from California. Another interesting California wine fact is how vast California Wine Country is. It’s estimated to cover over 150 square miles, bigger than the island of Barbados. To experience it all, many visitors enjoy taking a wine country ramble and exploring the many wineries and vineyards.

Conclusion

Exploring Sonoma County wine facts is rewarding. We glimpse its history as the birthplace of California wine and gain an in-depth understanding of the varietals that have made the region world-renowned. We have also learned how diverse and significant the soil types are. These details give us a deeper perspective on a wine region like Sonoma. They help us appreciate that extra layer of artistry that sets this county apart.