Overview:
The Alexander Valley is an American Viticultural Area located north of Healdsburg in
Sonoma County, California. It is home to many wineries and vineyards, as well as the city of Cloverdale. Highway 101 runs through the valley, and the Russian
River flows down the valley, surrounded by vineyards on both sides. From the higher elevations of the valley rim, there is view as far south as Taylor Mountain
and Sonoma Mountain.
Climate:
The valley has a warm, inland
climate that is cooled a bit by
fog from the Russian River. Cabernet Sauvignon utilizes much of the arable land in the wine region. Alexander Valley Wineries make Cabs that tend to be a bit
softer and less earthy than those from the
Oakville
and
Rutherford AVAs.
Alexander Valley terrain is not only suited to Cabernet Sauvignon; many different grapes
are grown in this densely planted wine region. Part of the reason for this diversity is the complex geological makeup of Alexander Valley Wine Country. There
are literally hundreds of different soil types in the region.
The
history of European settlement in
Alexander Valley began in 1844. In this year, Cyrus Alexander began developing a tract of land for Captain Henry Delano. A lot has happened since then, but
Alexander Valley Wineries have never lost their rural heritage.
Orchards on the flatlands of the valley on both sides of the Russian River have given way to the vineyards of
dozens of wineries and small grape growers. Just thirty miles inland from the Pacific Ocean, the valley floor is blessed with deep, sandy loam where vigorous
vines produce rich, herbal Chardonnays and Sauvignon Blanc grapes. On the north end, vineyards on rocky, volcanic hillsides catch the breeze and the sun in
their own micro-climate, which is perfect for Cabernet, Merlot and Sangiovese grapes. Cool air currents from the Russian River, and through the Healdsburg “gap”
from the ocean, lower summertime temperatures at night, extending the growing season and resulting in high acidity and fruit-forward flavors.
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