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Sonoma Valley Wine Region

Sonoma Valley wineries produce everything from light-bodied Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to robust Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel. Local producers include Chateau St Jean, Arrowood Vineyards and Buena Vista Winery. Because many tasting rooms are located in close proximity to one another, Sonoma Valley wine tours are among the most popular in all of California.

Sonoma Valley opens to the San pablo Bay in the south, and is exposed to regular wind and fog from this body of water. The cool climate of Southern Sonoma Valley suited to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vineyards. Daytime temperatures rise as one moves north toward the towns of Glen Ellen and Kenwood. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Zinfandel thrive in these warmer parts of Sonoma Valley.

Millions of years ago, the Oceanic Farallon Plate was subducted under the Continental North American Plate. Ancient volcanic eruptions left a layer of debris along California’s North Coast that are now known as the Sonoma Volcanics. This makes up much of the terrain of the Sonoma Valley wine region.

The history of wine production in Sonoma Valley is one of the oldest in California. In 1823, Father Jose Altimira established the Sonoma Mission and planted the first vineyards in the region. Agoston Haraszthy was an early proponent of Vitis vinifera vineyards and made invaluable contributions to Sonoma Valley’s early wine industry.

Sonoma Wine Tours

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