Here you can see Chardonnay vines in two very different stages of maturity. The size of the vines and the thickness of their trunks gives the best indication of the difference between the two blocks of vines. Pictured on top are vines planted in 1970. They are in their prime now. Next are Chardonnay vines planted in 1988.
Older vines tend to produce less, though more intensely flavored, fruit.
Both these blocks of Chardonnay will produce excellent grapes well into the next century. By assigning a geographical area appellation status, the Federal government is confirming the area's uniqueness for the purpose of growing wine grapes. Because soils and climate vary from appellation to appellation, the same vine in different appellations will produce different tasting wines. The Russian River appellation is particularly affected by a marine influence. Fog and its accompanying cooling is what distinguishes the Russian River Valley from other appellations in Sonoma County.