My wine mentor and colleague, Tylor Field III, is embarking on a trip to Sonoma Valley this weekend. And since I can’t be there with him, I thought I’d share a few wine tips from that region.
Location Sonoma County lies between Napa County and the Pacific coast, and is bordered on the north by Mendocino and Lake and the south by Marin, Solano, and Contra Costa. There is a wide variation of climate in Sonoma County. In the cooler, foggy climates of the northern stretches of Sonoma coast, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay thrive and produce fruit forward grapes.The more inland and southern areas within Sonoma County experience a warmer climate that ultimately proves most hospitable to Rhône grapes and Zinfandel.
AVAs of Sonoma County Los Carneros (Carneros), Sonoma Valley, Sonoma Mountain, Bennett Valley, Sonoma Coast, Northern Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Green Valley of Russian River Valley, Chalk Hill, Dry Creek Valley, Rockpile, Alexander Valley, Knights Valley, Pine Mountain-Cloverdale Peak (est. 2011), Fort Ross-Seaview (est. 2011).
A few Vineyards and Wineries of Sonoma County
- DeLoach Vineyards
- Gary Farrell Winery
- Matanzas Creek Winery
- Hanzell Vineyards
- Ferrari Carano
- Simi Vineyards
- Rodney Strong
- Francis Ford Coppola Winery
- Iron Horse Vineyards
- Kunde Family Estate
- Adobe Road Winery
Wines to try out
Adobe Road, Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, 2009
Iron Horse Vineyards, Cuvee, 2007
Kunde Zinfandel, Sonoma Valley, Family Estate Series, 2008
Intersted in learning more? Follow Tylor Field II on twitter this weekend as he tweets tips, photos and more from Sonoma Valley!
I’d like to know! What’s your favorite wine or vineyard from Sonoma County?
Jillian Beard 
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