Sonoma Coast, California

The Sonoma Coast AVA runs alongside the Pacific Ocean from San Pablo Bay in the North down to the Mendocino County line and east to the Coastal Ranges. Boasting over 480,000 acres, 7,000 planted with vineyards, the Sonoma Coast is the country’s largest AVA. The region was initially created to act as an umbrella AVA to incorporate producers in the cold-climate region that were scattered up along the Pacific Coastline in cooler zones of Sonoma County.

Positioned only a handful of miles from the Pacific Ocean, the Sonoma Coast is defined by the marine influence. Cool winds, morning fog and heavy rainfall contribute to a very cool, long growing season that allows for slow grape maturation. Harvest usually takes place weeks after its neighboring AVAs are finishing up, often in mid-October to early November. The extended growing time allows the grapes to develop optimum ripeness and low sugar levels, ideal conditions when crafting elegant and complex Syrah wines that are vastly different from the jammy Syrah’s found in warmer climates. Hillside vineyards benefit from the good drainage provided by the thin, sandy soils. The lack of nutrition in the soil stresses the vines, producing grapes with intense fruit profiles.

Click here to learn more about Wine Spots Sonoma Coast Syrah wine.