West Valley Wine Group

One of California's most notable wine regions, Sonoma Valley is located withinin the southern part of the Sonoma County wine region. The AVA (American Viticultural Area) is largely planted to grape varieties that thrive in its warm, sunny climate which include Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Chardonnay. The AVA, which was recognized in 1982, stretches from the coast of the San Pablo Bay, to just south of the city of Santa Rosa. The region covers a tranche of Sonoma County's southeastern corner with approximately 5,500 acres (2,200ha) under vine.

Sonoma Valley is widely regarded as the source of northern California's finest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines, particularly in the southern half within the overlapping Carneros AVA. Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel are more common in the vineyards in the northern half, away from the cooling influence of San Pablo Bay making rich, ripe red wines. Other popular varieties include Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc.

Sonoma Valley lies between the Mayacamas Mountains to the east and Sonoma Mountains to the west, both which are partially drained by the Sonoma Creek. Sonoma Creek rises on Sugarloaf Ridge in the Mayacamas and flows southwards for roughly 35 miles (60km) before discharging into San Pablo Bay. The Sonoma Valley AVA follows the creek for its entire length. There is a large variation in the soil types within the Sonoma Valley. On the valley floor, soils tend to be very fertile, loamy and with a favorable water-retention thanks to pockets of clay content. In comparison, the foothills of the surrounding mountain ranges have higher rock content which provides a well-drained soil base for vine roots.

We have a choice of videos to watch including:

1. https://youtu.be/QCIlFmgIQ_M?si=qt3GO8LolOtmqB9A - Exploring the AVAs of Sonoma County - Sonoma County Vintners (5:33)
2. https://youtu.be/Y7vwUz6nAi0?si=rB7eEv_oDwEtycQU - Learn All About Sonoma County Wine Country, California – V is for Vino Wine Show (42:44)
3. https://youtu.be/Kccgm5Lp0cQ?si=V3wCDWGH6RnG-sSR - Sonoma Valley Wine Country: Hidden Gems & Luxury Stays - Wander (8:33)

So, pick up a bottle and watch a couple of videos. Let us know what you’re drinking and eating, and, if possible, the region from which your wine comes. Do you have any comments (positive or negative) about the videos? And, as always, tell us what’s going on in your life - what's happening with you, how you're feeling about things, updates, successes, challenges - as much or as little as you’re willing to disclose. We are in this together. And - thank goodness - we have wine!

Cheers!!

Bring your blankets or lawn chairs to the front lawn of The Wigwam for the City of Litchfield Park Arts in the Park concert series. Thaddeus Rose Band will have you dancing the entire time!
To learn more about them visit their website at thaddeusrose.com.
This FREE public concert is being presented through the generous sponsorship of Yates Buick GMC. Beverages will be available for purchase. Outside alcohol is not permitted. For more information call 623-935-9040 or visit litchfieldpark.gov

Russian River Valley, one of the United States' top-ranked wine regions, is located at the heart of Sonoma County, California. It is one of California's coolest and foggiest AVAs creating a perfect climate for producing highly acclaimed wines from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. It is named after the Russian-American Company, whose explorers charted the river in the early 19th Century, eventually founding the Fort Ross colony a few miles north of the river mouth. The Russian River which gives the AVA its name is the second-largest river within the nine-county Greater San Francisco Bay Area.

Despite the AVA's name, the river flows only through its northern edge – the majority of vineyards here are located on the plains between the towns of Windsor, Santa Rosa and Sebastopol. The AVA's limits have been extended south-eastwards twice in the past decade, further emphasizing this effect.

The finest Russian River Valley vineyard sites are planted on either Goldridge Series or Franciscan Assemblage soils. The Goldridge Series is highly characteristic of Sonoma Valley and consists of deep, moderately well-drained soils formed in material weathered from loose, crumbly sandstone. The Franciscan Assemblage is a chaotically distributed mix of greywacke sandstones, limestones, deep-sea radiolarian cherts, altered mafic volcanic rocks (greenstones), serpentinites, shales, and high-pressure metamorphic rocks. There are also alluvial soils of various make-ups here, concentrated close to the river itself.

We have a choice of videos to watch including:

1. https://youtu.be/LyHhb9K4N_E?si=ZggkaTz4MZHjG1ml - A Visit to Russian River Valley, Sonoma County California - Russian River Valley Winegrowers (1:57)
2. https://youtu.be/c5fx9sKdiVM?si=OC3oJLL3CHmP9EIf - The Russian River Valley Neighborhoods - Russian River Valley Winegrowers (3:35)
3. https://youtu.be/Z8Mz7uViNLI?si=j_U3dh1DM5P5eSbT - Dissecting the Russian River Valley AVA - Cellar Angels (6:12)
4. https://youtu.be/mBF4_0x6lg8?si=SgXbAvlNvh5sEs3w - Exploring Russian River Wines for WSET Level 4 - Wine with Jimmy (11:45)

So, pick up a bottle and watch a couple of videos. Let us know what you’re drinking and eating, and, if possible, the region from which your wine comes. Do you have any comments (positive or negative) about the videos? And, as always, tell us what’s going on in your life - what's happening with you, how you're feeling about things, updates, successes, challenges - as much or as little as you’re willing to disclose. We are in this together. And - thank goodness - we have wine!

Cheers!!