Russian River Valley

Named for the Russian fur traders who settled on Sonoma County’s coast in the early 1800’s, The Russian River Valley is known today as one of the most recognized AVA names in America. Covering most of the lower drainage of the Russian River inland near the town of Guerneville, the valley continues to spread up the river to the town of Healdsburg.

The fog from the Pacific Ocean cools the valley’s climate during the evenings, causing temperatures to drop 35 to 40 degrees from the daytime highs. The closer to the coast a vineyard is located, the earlier in the afternoon it receives fog and the later in the morning it will last. These conditions make the western portion of the Russian River AVA one of the coolest in the North Coast allowing grapes to develop a full flavor maturity while retaining their natural acidity over the extended growing season. This makes the Russian River Valley an ideal location to successfully produce grapes such as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris. Inland, the climate becomes lighter and warmer, where varietals such as Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel do well.