Sonoma & Anderson Valley

From a rugged and rocky coastline in the west, steeps mountainsides in the east, and rolling hills and valleys hugging the banks of the Russian River, Sonoma County offers a complete array of styles, varietals and terroir-expression. It covers a vast area of more than one million acres, but a mere 6% are planted to vines – almost half that of Napa. Fog is among Sonoma County’s most defining features, drawn from the Pacific Ocean inland toward Healdsburg and the warmer Alexander Valley, heavily influencing the Russian River Valley itself. Cool air also travels through the Petaluma Gap and San Pablo Bay to the south. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir lead the way, with a new generation of winemakers crafting exceptional, modern expressions that embrace the classic richness, while excluding elegance, refinement, and crispness. More recently, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot blends have been capturing plenty of the limelight and serious critical acclaim. Anderson Valley AVA lies just to the north in Mendocino County. Just 20 miles long, and renowned for exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, this tiny region has less than 2,500 acres under vine and remains relatively unknown which means brilliant value! The Ferrington and Savoy Vineyards are regarded by many winemakers as some of the best in California.