People Bring a beach blanket and stop to savor the sun at one of the many hidden beaches along the river. 8 . Box 16, Fulton, CA 95439-0016 In response to these poor scores, some Russian River winemakers altered their techniques in order to enhance the color. It’s one of the most beautiful places on Earth.” Set close to the Pacific to bring moderate temps, yet protected from the coastal influences by majestic mountains, the Russian River Valley has a genre all its own. [8] Even for these non-Burgundian varietals, the nature of the Russian River Valley's cool climate can be seen in the wine. Other listings. The Russian River Valley Winegrowers are a resilient community of farmers and vintners, who proudly call Sonoma County home. Russian River Valley, one of the United States' top-ranked wine regions, is … Gallo contested that opinion and after changes in leadership the grower's associations officially takes a neutral stance on the proposal though some vocal opposition still exist. The Russian River, a southward-flowing river, drains 1,485 square miles of Sonoma and Mendocino counties in Northern California. After 6 years, Korbel decided to get out of the beer business and agreed to transfer the brand and all recipes to their head brewer, Vinnie Cilurzo. - Giovianni Balistreri, Winemaker. We are beyond pleased to announce that the wineries of the Russian River Valley are open and welcoming visitors. The Russian River Valley is widely known to have the finest terroir for pinot noir and cool-climate chardonnay outside of Burgundy. From east to west and north to south, you get completely different fruit, producing different styles of wine, one being lush and rich with texture and the other style being very lean, fruit driven and very lively acid". Soil Awarded “Best Tasting Room” in the Sonoma County Press Democrat reader’s poll for 2020, our estate boasts scenic and spacious outdoor seating, where our customers can enjoy a tasting flight of Russian River Valley Wines along with a delectable selection of wine country foods prepared fresh in our on-site kitchen. We added vines row-by-row and clone-by-clone to create our dream. info@rrvw.org, Privacy Policy Agent listings. The Middle Reach, the most northern area and the area with some of the region’s oldest vines, is close to Healdsburg and Dry Creek Valley. The 2019 Rose, “Brides Blush”, Russian River Valley 92 points Sunset Magazine, 93 points Virginie Boone . Start planning for Russian River Valley. Read more. Some winemaking families continued to make wine illegally and others converted to bootlegging a sugar and water base wine known as "Jackass brandy" to survive during this period. Homes for You Price (High to Low) Price (Low to High) Newest Bedrooms Bathrooms Square Feet Lot Size. Visiting Lynmar Estate is like unlocking a secret garden door that leads to the heart of the Russian River Valley wine culture. Nearby Pacific Ocean sends on-shore breezes and fog to cool vineyards. See all. The area is known for its success with cool climate varietals, notably Pinot noir and Chardonnay. The Russian River Valley AVA does not strictly outline the path of the Russian River, which flows from Mendocino County south-by-southeast through Alexander Valley, makes an abrupt left at Healdsburg, and cuts west through rugged terrain to the Pacific Ocean. Russian River Valley Winegrowers, P.O. Valentine's Day White Wine Gift Pack. Cookie Consent. Stewards of the land. © WINEROAD NORTHERN SONOMA COUNTY Content and Images cannot be used without express written permission of Wine Road. Real people making world class wines. See The Top 10 Russian River Wineries below. The Russian River looks perfect on a map - one hour away, a beautiful river valley filled with Redwoods. Russian River Valley (98) Country/State. 0 . Authentic people who identify themselves as farmers who make wine. "What I love most about growing and producing chardonnay in the Russian River Valley is the diversity of the fruit that is grown here. The appellation was granted AVA status in 1983 and enlarged in 2005. It finishes with a richly textured mouthfeel that deposits gentle notes of peach. Each area has different soils and different variations of the area’s characteristic fog. [11] As of a meeting of the members on December 9, 2008, the Russian River Winegrowers are opposed the proposed expansion. Russian River Valley, Sonoma, CA- A creamy, medium-bodied style of Chardonnay that possesses harmonious flavors of stone fruit, citrus, apple, and vanilla. If you hadn’t visited the impossibly charming Healdsburg, with its quant coffee shops, world-class restaurants, friendly tasting rooms, you are seriously remiss. [4] The Russian River is a rain-fed waterway that swells in the wintertime and provides vital irrigation to the region's vineyards during the dry season in late spring. In addition to enhancing some of the color producing phenols, the new trellising also served to increase sugar content (and subsequently alcohol levels) and decrease the amount of the green tasting pyrazine compounds found in the grapes. [13] Despite its close proximity, the Russian River AVA produces Chardonnays that are dramatically different from those found in the Alexander Valley AVA. The Russian River Valley AVA is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in Sonoma County, California. Under this proposal the warmer Chalk Hill sub-AVA, which has little fog influence, would be excluded from the Russian River AVA and more acreage along the southwest corner of the AVA would be added. Steve Dutton joined former La Crema winemaker Dan Goldfield to establish … [1][3] The Russian River Valley has a characteristically cool climate, heavily affected by fog generated by the valley's proximity to the Pacific Ocean. While Sauvignon blanc from the region tend to be slightly less "grassy" they still tend to exhibit herbal and citrus lime aroma. ABOUT RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY. Approachable legends. Direct Products. Essential Russian River Valley. Proximity to brisk water creates cooling effect that results in wine textures from structured to silky. This is the AVA best known for its world class Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays, while remaining home to sought-after old vine Zinfandel. The Russian River is best enjoyed by lying lazily back in a canoe or a kayak; witnessing the panorama of wildlife unfolding before you along the river. [5] Within the AVA there are several microclimates that allow for suitable plantings of Sauvignon blanc, Gewürztraminer, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Centered on the Russian River, the Russian River Valley AVA accounts for about one-sixth of the total planted vineyard acreage in Sonoma County. Cool-climate grapes Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are nurtured by seasonal fog. The Russian River Valley is located North of San Francisco about 1.5 hours with incredible wineries you must experience. [4] The central and western reaches of the AVA are the coolest and tend to be most extensively planted with Pinot noir and Chardonnay. Within the boundaries of the Russian River AVA are the sub-AVAs Chalk Hill and Sonoma Green Valley. Johnson's Beach, Guerneville Play on the River - There is no better way to experience the beauty of the Russian River than to take a trip down it. Nearly 15 miles wide and tall, this appellation spans much of the Russian River watershed from the Mendocino County border to the Pacific Ocean. Just like a city filled with diverse communities, Russian River Valley consists of six smaller areas called neighborhoods. [8] The cooling influence of the fog is responsible for the large diurnal temperature variation with nighttime temperatures dropping as much as 35 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit (about 20 °C) from daytime high. [4] Some of the area's most respected Pinot noir and Chardonnay vineyards are planted along deposits of Goldridge soil. You could tour the inland sections or travel the coastal environment further downstream. The river is still Nearby Pacific Ocean sends on-shore breezes and fog to cool vineyards. Create a Trip to save and organize all of your travel ideas, and see them on a map. $119. World renowned for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the Russian River Valley also offers beautiful landscapes as you travel its back roads and byways—acres of vineyards, tree-lined roads, the Russian River, and majestic Redwood trees. The eastern parts of the AVA, located near US 101 and include the sub-AVA of Chalk Hill, are the warmest areas of the Russian River AVA being the furthest away from the ocean. Dutton-Goldfield Winery. 15452 Riverside Dr, Guerneville, CA 95446. Authentic people who identify themselves as farmers who make wine. Russian River Valley Neighborhoods Virtual Tasting Just like a city filled with diverse communities, Russian River Valley consists of six smaller areas called neighborhoods. The Russian River Valley AVA is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in Sonoma County, California. While that style had it share of fans, the lack of coloring would be a factor in poor score wine ratings from wine critics. Russian River - Guerneville CA Real Estate. The Russian River Valley AVA consists of three areas: the Middle Reach, Laguna Ridge, and the Santa Rosa Plain. $555,500. [2], Despite its name, the Russian River Valley AVA does not cover the entire Russian River Valley-which extends north into Mendocino County, California and southwest all the way to the Pacific Ocean. 707-521-2534 There are a number of easy drop/pickup locations. Harvest in the Russian River Area often take place at later dates than in its neighboring regions. Approachable legends. Explore an array of Russian River Valley, US vacation rentals, including houses, cabins & more bookable online. [9] That proposal was later rejected as well. [5] In 2003 the AVA was expanded to include 767 acres (310 ha) south of Fulton. River Road Stephanie’s Cuvee Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2017 ($30). Russian River Valley The Russian River Valley is one of the pinnacle areas for Pinot Noirs, known for making rich and flavorful, world-class Pinot Noir. Fog cools vineyards and develops full flavor maturity of grapes. Older clones planted in the mid to late 20th century, including the Martini, Swan, Pommard, and 115 clones, produced a "classic" style of Russian River Pinots that were characterized by vibrant (but pale) color, lively acidity, cherry and berry fruit flavors and delicate aroma that would often include earthy mushroom notes. For example, Russian River Merlots tend to have distinctive tea-like note and Zinfandels tend to exhibit more tart red fruit than Zinfandels from the warmer Dry Creek AVA. Fog cools vineyards and develops full flavor maturity of grapes. He analyzed the soil, finding it consisting of alluvial clay-loam with hardpan about 18 inches beneath the surface. A third soil type, found close to the river, is predominately alluvial and makes up the benchland regions of the river. In 1999, the grower's association filed a new proposal to revise the boundaries based on the influences of coastal fog. [7] In warmer areas of Chalk Hill there have been successful plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon. Real people making world class wines. Combination of fractured sandstone and sandy loam create Goldridge soil; ideal for cool climate grapes. [6], In 2008, E & J Gallo petition for a further expansion of the AVA in the southwestern corner of 14,000 acres (5,700 ha) that would include the winery's Two Rock Vineyard located along the Highway 101 corridor near Cotati in the AVA. “The Russian River Valley is the Garden of Eden. [7] (Today one of the most prestigious vineyards in the region is the Jackass Hill Vineyard owned by Martinelli Winery) At the end of Prohibition the few vineyards that were operating would sell their grapes to bulk jug wine producers. While the region is predominately associated with Chardonnay and Pinot noir, hillside vineyard locations have shown success with other varieties such as Syrah and Zinfandel. This proposal was rejected by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for being too broad in scope. Rent a whole home for your next weekend or holiday. The region's cool climate produces more grapes with higher acidity that tend to be more balanced than the fatter, creamy style found in the Alexander Valley. When first proposed, the Russian River Winegrowers Association voted unanimously to oppose the expansion on the grounds that the proposed area is climatically different from the rest of the Russian River areas. With a perfect balance of creamy, oaky smoothness and crisp, mouth-filling tropical fruit flavors, it’s just one layer of decadence after another leading up to a luxuriously long-lasting finish. Go play. Fog We specialize in single-vineyard wines, and our Winemaker has crafted a diverse network of vineyards & growers. It flows generally southward to Redwood Valley, then past Calpella, where it is bordered by U.S. Route 101, to join the East Fork Russian River just below Lake Mendocino. The Russian River downstream of Duncans Mills The Russian River springs from the Laughlin Range about 5 mi (8 km) east of Willits in Mendocino County. Winery Direct (36) Style. Fill in your email address below to receive updates from Russian River Valley. Amici Pinot Noir Russian River Valley, 2018 750ml. Learn more about the six neighborhoods from our panel of winemakers. In 1997, the Russian River Winegrowers association attempted to expand the AVA all the way down to the town of Cotati in the southeast corner of Sonoma County. Brut (1) 92. 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