There's More to the Russian River Valley Than Pinot Noir

Many Pinot Noir fans consider the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County to be one of the best for the grape. I suspect a lot of people only think of Pinot when they reflect on the Russian River region. It's a vast growing area and there are many other grape varieties as the microclimates and soils vary widely.

Late autumn in the Russian River Valley

RRV Stats

Russian River Valley AVA was founded in 1983 and has been amended a few times since. It's 150 square miles with 15,000 acres of grapes. That's about 15% of the land used for vineyards. The most planted grapes are Chardonnay (40%), Pinot Noir (30%), Zinfandel (10%). Yes, there's more Chard than Pinot!

Climate

Pinot Noir is a cool climate grape. The Russian River Valley is heavily influenced by the cool water of the Pacific during the growing season. In the mornings and evenings there is often a cool marine layer, or fog, hanging over much of the prime Pinot Noir vineyards. Temperatures can warm up quickly once the fog burns off in the late morning, but there are only a few hours of warmth most days. 

Neighborhoods

The RRV is so vast and variable in soil and climate that there are informal sub-regions or neighborhoods. There are the official sub-appellations of Green Valley, a cooler area, and Chalk Hill, a warmer area in the northeast part of RRV. One of those neighborhoods, Sebastopol Hills, will soon be a new sub-appellation.

One of the popular wineries and vineyards for Russian River Chardonnay

Chardonnay

Where there's Pinot there is usually Chardonnay as the climate requirements are similar. As RRV Pinot tends to be fruity, so is the Chardonnay, but still maintaining good acidity for the crispness along with the rich fruit, often appley, flavors. Some of the same wineries famous for their Pinot Noir also make great Chardonnay. A few of these wineries are Bacigalupi, Delaoch, Dutton-Goldfield, Gary Ferrell, Lynmar, Merry Edwards, Rochioli, and Williams Selyem.

Zinfandel

It might come as a surprise that there is quite a bit of Zinfandel grown in the RRV. Being generally cooler than other places that grow Zin the wines are usually higher in acid plus lighter in color and body with dark fruit flavors. There's old vine Zin here, with some of it planted back in the 1870s. The people who aren't fans of the big, bold, jammy Zinfandels tend to find RRV ones to their liking. Some RRV Zinfandel producers are DeLoach, Harvest Moon, Limerick Lane, and Martinelli (although Martinelli tends to be on the jammy side).

Cabernet and Other Bordeaux Grapes

Cab Sauvignon, along with Merlot, Cab Franc, and Sauvignon Blanc are mostly grown in the slightly warmer Chalk Hill sub-appellation.

Syrah

There isn't a lot of Syrah in the RRV, but it's usually very good and sought after. Black fruit, savory, and medium tannins best describes Syrah from here.

Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer

Both are found in the RRV, but there's not much of either. The climate can be good for both of these grapes, but I suspect it's more about economics. That is, you can get a lot more money for a ton of Pinot Noir grapes than you can for Pinot Gris.

Sparkling Wine

With Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, the main grapes used to make sparkling wine, making up most of what's grown here, you'll find many wineries making bubbles. The largest players are Korbel, Iron Horse, and J Wineries. Many other wineries will have a sparkling wine or two available.

Russian River Valley and nearby AVAs
Green Valley and part of Chalk Hill are in the RRV
map from sonomacountyvintners.com
Click on image to enlarge for viewing

40th Anniversary

Russian River Valley is celebrating their 40th year with special deals at some wineries through October 31, 2023.