Yorkville Highlands Terrain (Back to overview)
The terrain of the Yorkville Highlands is quite distinctive from nearby wine regions. In contrast to the loam and clay on the Anderson Valley floor, the AVA has gravelly soil that drains very well.
The Result of Yorkville Highlands Soil and Terrain
The AVA encompasses 40,000 acres and contains approximately 350 acres of vineyards. 87% of these vines are red varietals.
Vineyards are planted on elevated benchlands surrounded by taller mountains. Soil fertility is very low and cation exchange is inefficient. Local vines are very stressed from this combination of factors.
Elevation ranges from 800 to 3,000 feet above sea level, but all of the vineyards are planted between 900 and 1,300 feet. The highest elevations are too steep and rugged for growing grapes.
The local topography is made of many canyons and watersheds. These nooks and crannies create a variety of microclimates that support different varietals. Some vineyards have a very similar climate to the coastal Anderson Valley. Others have more extreme weather patterns that resemble inland parts of Mendocino County.
The two main watersheds in the region are Rancheria and Dry Creeks. All of the vineyards are planted within three miles on either side of Highway 128. This road runs the length of the AVA.
Yorkville Highland Wineries
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