Sonoma County

Sonoma County is adjacent to the Pacific coast, just north of San Francisco and west of the Napa Valley. The region has over 170 wineries spread over an area of 17 thousand hectares. The wine industry in Sonoma is generally on a smaller scale than that of the Napa wine region, with its top producers concentrating on producing prime grapes for the premium segment of the market. Sonoma boasts the highest value grapes in the whole of California

Slightly cooler than the Napa, its climate also varies dramatically depending on each appellation. Offshore breezes and fogs keep temperatures cool for ocean-side vineyards, close to gaps in the coastal mountain ranges and to the south of the region near Carneros. There are several AVAs in Sonoma County.  Here are the ones that are used in the wines represented by MDM:   

Alexander Valley: The Alexander Valley AVA is the largest and most densely planted of all of Sonoma County's AVAs. Located among the Russian River watershed, the boundary of this appellation extends north of Healdsburg up to Mendocino County north of Cloverdale.

Dry Creek Valley: Dry Creek Valley's history of grape growing and winemaking is among the longest in California. Dry Creek Valley was among the first regions to receive formal recognition as an American Viticulture Area in 1983.

Sonoma Valley AVA: Climate and geography determine all the great grape-growing regions of the world, including the Sonoma Valley. With an average of 29 inches of rainfall a year, it is one the driest areas in Sonoma County. The mountain ranges on either side isolate the Valley, allowing in just enough coastal fog to cool the vineyards on summer nights.