Russian River Valley
- In this wine region of the world, it’s easy to get lost. There simply are too many amazing wine regions, distinctive terroirs, winemaking styles, and histories for the average person.
- Just 55 miles north of San Francisco, nestled between the Petaluma Gap and the Alexander Valley in Northern California, you will find a special little area called the Russian River Valley.
- With a history stretching back to 1876, some of the biggest names in the wine business call Russian River home. From producing 500,000 gallons of wine from 7,000 acres at that time, to the 165,000 acres under vine today, this small region has had quite a transformation.
- In the 1960s the vintners in the Russian River Valley began to realize this climate was perfect for growing and making world-class Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
- In 1983, the US Department of Treasury (TTB) granted the request for an AVA designation for the Russian River Valley due to its unique soil profile in combination with the effect the Pacific Ocean fog had on the area.
- Surrounded by the famous wine towns of Sebastopol and Santa Rosa in the south and Healdsburg and Forestville in the north, as well as other notable wine AVAs such as Chalk Hill and Alexander Valley, again it’s easy to see how this special place could be missed; but shouldn’t.
