Wine Regions Sonoma County, California, stretches from the Pacific Coast in the west to the Mayacamas Mountains in the east, and is home to almost 60,000 acres of vineyards and more than 400 wineries. Within the borders are 17 American Viticultural Areas (AVAs, or appellations), each with its own distinctive characteristics. Located on the northern edge of the greater San Francisco Bay Area, Sonoma County is the largest producer in Northern California's Wine Country. Sonoma County wines enjoy global recognition and have won countless national and international wine awards. Learn more about Sonoma Wine Country . American Viticultural Area Valley Wine Tour educators simply define an AVA as a unique wine growing area. The Wine Institute describes an AVA as “When a US winery wants to tell you the geographic pedigree of its wine, it uses a tag on its label called an Appellation of Origin. Appellations are defined either by political boundaries, such as the name of a county or state, or by federally-recognized growing regions called American Viticultural Areas (AVAs).” On a growing number of wine bottles names like Sonoma Coast, Napa Valley, Russian River or Los Carneros appear.

These are AVAs or American Viticulture Areas. An American Viticultural Area is a designated wine grape-growing region in the US distinguishable by geographic features, with boundaries defined by the Alcohol and Tobacco and Trade Bureau (TTB), US Department of Treasury. There were 198 AVAs across the US as of January 2010. The appearance of an AVA on a wine label helps consumer identify where the wine comes from. AVAs are identified at the request of wineries and/other petitioners. Before the installation of this system, AVAs in the United States were designated based on state or county boundaries. They range in size from the Ohio River Valley AVA at 26,000 square miles (67,000 km2) across four states, to the Cole Ranch AVA in Mendocino County, California, at only 62 acres. An AVA specifies only a geographical location from which at least 85% of the grapes used to make a wine must have been grown. There is a structure to naming AVAs. In California, for instance, there are AVAs like the Central Coast AVA.

Central Valley AVA and the area north of the Golden Gate Bridge where Valley Wine Tours conducts tours, the North Coast AVA. Within that AVA there are many sets and subsets. All of these smaller AVAs listed below are part of the North Coast AVA and are broken down by Sonoma Valley and Napa Valley. They are all included within the geographic boundaries of the six-county North Coast AVA.

Selected Sonoma County AVAs Sonoma Valley Chalk Hill Knights Valley Los Carneros Russian River Dry Creek Valley Alexander Valley Green Valley Just to make things more interesting, and to demonstrate the scope of the geographic “sets and subsets” of the AVA system, here are all of the AVA that are entirely contained within the boundary of the larger, regional North Coast AVA referenced above, containing Lake Marin, Mendocino, Napa, Solano, and Sonoma counties: Alexander Valley AVA Anderson Valley AVA Atlas Peak AVA Benmore Valley AVA Bennett Valley AVA Chalk Hill AVA Chiles Valley AVA Clear Lake AVA Cole Ranch AVA Covelo AVA Diamond Mountain District AVA Dos Rios AVA Dry Creek Valley AVA Green Valley of Russian River Valley AVA Guenoc Valley AVA High Valley AVA Howell Mountain AVA Knights Valley AVA Los Carneros AVA McDowell Valley AVA Mendocino AVA Mendocino Ridge AVA For more information about AVAs, please check these wine industry sites: Valley Wine Tour educators simply define an AVA as a unique wine growing area.

The Wine Institute describes an AVA as “When a US winery wants to tell you the geographic pedigree of its wine, it uses a tag on its label called an Appellation of Origin. Appellations are defined either by political boundaries, such as the name of a county or state, or by federally-recognized growing regions called American Viticultural Areas (AVAs).” On a growing number of wine bottles names like Sonoma Coast, Napa Valley, Russian River or Los Carneros appear. These are AVAs or American Viticulture Areas. An American Viticultural Area is a designated wine grape-growing region in the US distinguishable by geographic features, with boundaries defined by the Alcohol and Tobacco and Trade Bureau (TTB), US Department of Treasury. There were 198 AVAs across the US as of January 2010. The appearance of an AVA on a wine label helps consumer identify where the wine comes from. AVAs are identified at the request of wineries and/other petitioners. Before the installation of this system, AVAs in the United States were designated based on state or county boundaries.

They range in size from the Ohio River Valley AVA at 26,000 square miles (67,000 km2) across four states, to the Cole Ranch AVA in Mendocino County, California, at only 62 acres. An AVA specifies only a geographical location from which at least 85% of the grapes used to make a wine must have been grown. There is a structure to naming AVAs. In California, for instance, there are AVAs like the Central Coast AVA. Central Valley AVA and the area north of the Golden Gate Bridge where Valley Wine Tours conducts tours, the North Coast AVA. Within that AVA there are many sets and subsets. All of these smaller AVAs listed below are part of the North Coast AVA and are broken down by Sonoma Valley and Napa Valley. They are all included within the geographic boundaries of the six-county North Coast AVA. Selected Sonoma County AVAs Top wine regions in the United States - Travel | NBC News Advertise People talk about Napa as the holy grail of U.S.

wine regions for good reason, according to Jason Smith, a master sommelier and director of wine at Bellagio in Las Vegas. “They are really set up for travel and, of course, everyone knows the wines,” he says. Smith also favors Sonoma County — specifically the Russian River Valley — and its “small-town atmosphere.” He thinks of the wine industry there as more “farmers versus large production facilities,” with more hands-on producers, as well as stellar restaurants. Looking to Southern California, Smith notes the beauty of the setting as well as the heightened popularity of pinot noir coming from Santa Barbara County, due in large part to that another wine-centric movie, “Sideways.” The Santa Barbara Conference & Visitors Bureau and Film Commission even printed a “Sideways” wine country touring map showcasing the locations where scenes were filmed. And Los Olivos Café in Los Olivos offers a “Sideways” menu based on what the characters in the movie ate there in one of the movie’s key scenes. Beyond California and also one of Smith’s favorite U.S. wine regions is Washington, particularly the Walla Walla and Columbia valleys.

“That is Napa Valley 20 to 30 years ago,” he says, noting that he considers the entire state an underrated wine region. “People hear ‘Washington’ and they don’t know what to think,” he says. “They’re more comfortable with California.” Meanwhile, neighboring Oregon has its own version of “Bottle Shock.” The state earned the wine world’s respect in the 1979 Gault-Millau French Wine Olympiades when The Eyrie Vineyard’s pinot noir beat France’s best labels. Most impressively, winemaking in the Beaver State is only a 40-year-old endeavor. Oregon’s pinot noirs are so well thought of that luxury glassmaker Reidel last year introduced a vessel specifically for them. “What I look for are winemakers embracing their terroir, getting the most out of varietals that thrive wherever they are located,” says Gary Vaynerchuk, host of “The Thunder Show” on winelibrarytv.com .

“In the past few years, I’ve loved a number of cabernet sauvignon-based wines from Washington State, especially Walla Walla [and] pinot noir and pinot gris from Oregon, and especially Willamette Valley.” On the East Coast, Jason Smith suggests exploringNew York’s Hudson Valley. “I think you need to search out the wineries a little bit more,” he says, and the wines may also “need a little work.” But, “it’s absolutely gorgeous during fall when the leaves are changing.” Vaynerchuk agrees that the area has great potential. "I’ve been big on Rieslings from the Finger Lakes region in upstate New York,” he says, “and there is some great Cab Franc being made on Long Island.” But, Vaynerchuk expands, “I believe there is the potential for every state to make world-class wines. Remember, 30 years ago, no one was interested in wine from California.” Discuss: Napa vs Sonoma: Wine Country Travel | Wine Folly Articles , California , Intermediate , Napa , Sonoma , Wine & Travel Which is better: Napa or Sonoma? Truthfully, one is not better than the other, but they are both very different.

A better thing to know is which region–Sonoma or Napa–is more your style. This article points out the key differences between Sonoma and Napa from the wines they do best to what each region is like to visit. “Napa Valley is a Wine Disneyland, while Sonoma Valley is a Wine Region.” –Tom C. Wark, Fermentation: The Daily Blog Napa vs Sonoma The Napa and Sonoma Valleys are the second most visited attraction in California behind, you guessed it, Disneyland. If Mr. Wark’s saying is true, then the world of wine really can be a playful or serious pursuit for adults. Since Napa and Sonoma are America’s main wine attractions, tourists have two different ways to experience the happiest beverage on earth. You can hit the high road to Napa in a limo while the scenery glimmers with Michelin stars and 95+-point ratings. Or, you can drive slow down a dirt road in Sonoma to a casual outdoor patio with inexpensive (and sometimes free) tastings. Your call. Which is More Affordable?

Napa average cost per person/day: $460 Sonoma average cost per person/day: $292 Price is probably the most obvious comparison point between Napa vs Sonoma. To put it simply, Napa is usually more expensive than Sonoma. Of course, you can easily part with a small fortune staying in 5-star hotels, eating incredible multi-course meals, and spending all-day tasting in the winemaker’s private cellars in Sonoma, too. On that very same note, it’s entirely possible to pedal a rented bike to small family wineries, grab lunch at a roadside diner (like one of Robert Parker’s favorites: Gott’s Roadside), and pitch a tent under the California stars in Napa. A trip to Napa or Sonoma is what you make of it. Visiting Napa Valley Limos and High Rollers: the Vegas of Wine Country Napa is the name of a town, and it’s also the name of the region, the Napa Valley. This world-famous wine region also includes many sub-regions (AVAs) to explore.

People come from all over the world to sip the savory Cabernet Sauvignon, rich and buttery Chardonnay, and fruit-forward Merlot. Wineries: 390 physical wineries produce over 1,000 brands of wine Stats: 43,000 acres and 16 sub-AVAs Most Popular AVAs: Rutherford, Oakville, Stags Leap Best Wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot Flagship Wineries: Robert Mondavi, Beringer, Stag’s Leap, Chateau Montelena, Grgich Hills, Clos du Val, Screaming Eagle, Duckhorn, Rombauer, V. Sattui, Merryvale, Cakebread Average Wine Tasting Cost: $15-50 What to Expect: Call ahead to see if you need to make a tasting appointment, and be aware that each tasting will cost money. A few places waive the tasting fee if you buy a bottle.

Getting There Transportation: Drinking and driving is a definite no-no, so hire a limo for the day, choose a designated driver, take the Napa Valley Wine Train, or float up in a hot air balloon over the valley. Top Wine Routes: Highway 29 (The main route) and The Silverado Trail (prestige wineries) Traffic: It can be heavy and slow-moving with all the tourists, so be patient–very patient. Best Time to Visit: Go in May to avoid the summer crowds or in September through October for delightful weather amidst the backdrop of the crush while sneaking a taste of ripe cabernet grapes. Staying There Average cost per day: $460 (including lodging) Luxury Hotels: Auberge de Soleil, The Poetry Inn, Milliken Creek Inn & Spa Top Food: French Laundry, Oxbow, Bouchon Quite possibly the best thing I have ever done in Napa was play winemaker for a day and blend my own Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon at the Conn Creek Blending Seminar (~$95) . During this two-hour session, my boyfriend and I tasted Cabs from every AVA in Napa and mixed our own blends. You learn a lot.

You drink a lot. Plus, you get to take home the bottle of wine you made. Katie Eigel Visiting Sonoma Valley More Wine & More Country Similarly to Napa, Sonoma is the name of a town, name of the region, and it’s an AVA. Napa might win on being more expensive, but Sonoma is certainly more expansive, spread out, and laid-back. (People often say Sonoma is “less commercialized” than Napa.) It’s almost double the size of Napa, and grows far more grapes than Napa in a variety of conditions. People come from all over the world to sip Sonoma’s creamy and zesty Chardonnay, cool climate Pinot Noir, juicy Zinfandel, impressive Red Blends, and refreshing Sparkling Wine. Average cost per day: $292 (with lodging) Luxury Hotels: The Healdsburg Hotel, The Kenwood Spa, Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn Top Food: Farmhouse Inn, Madrona Manor, Mateo’s, Terra So, Is It Napa or Sonoma? It’s both, at least we like to think so. It’s Napa when you and your S.O.

(significant other) want to treat yourself to the best of the best. It’s Sonoma when you and your significant other want the whole peaceful valley to yourselves. It’s Napa when you and your friends want to rent a limo and cruise the Silverado Highway. It’s Sonoma when you and your friends want less crowds at the tasting bar and less competition on the bocce courts. If you are asking us once and for all, we at Wine Folly recommend you stick to your wine style. Choose either Napa or Sonoma the same way you choose your wines: If you buy pricier wines, then go to Napa. If you mainly drink Cabernet Sauvignon, buttery Chardonnay, and Merlot, then go to Napa. If you buy more reasonably priced wines, then go to Sonoma. If you mainly drink Zinfandels, Pinot Noirs, Sparkling Wines, Red Blends, and Unoaked zesty Chardonnays, then go to Sonoma. As your wine tastes change, so will your preference for Sonoma or Napa. The only recommendation that we insist on is that you visit BOTH valleys at some point.

Even though Sonoma is a neighbor to Napa, it’s a whole new world, although that world can be a small one, after all. SUBSCRIBE TO GET FRESH WEEKLY WINE STORIES Newsletter Signup United States & Canada UNITED STATES & CANADA Popular Destinations From snowcapped mountains in the north to sunny skies in the south, and from historic cites in the east to expansive national parks in the west, U.S. vacations offer memorable experiences for everyone. For the ultimate outdoor adventure, visit Canada. Its dramatic ski slopes, awe-inspiring glaciers and majestic Niagara Falls are perfect for active travelers. Austin Known for its eclectic neighborhoods and live music, Austin prides itself in being far from ordinary. Explore Austin Vacation Packages Boston Have a wicked good time in Massachusetts' capital. Boston is filled with historic sites, recognizable sports arenas and notable famous institutions. Explore Boston Vacation Packages Denver Outdoor enthusiasts will feel right at home in Denver. Its hiking, fishing, golf and skiing opportunities are unmatched. Explore Denver Vacation Packages Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale is a sophisticated, beachside city with Venice-like waterways, top-notch dining and sweeps of coastline.

Explore Fort Lauderdale Vacation Packages Fort Myers, Sanibel & Captiva Beautiful sunsets, white-sand beaches, blue waters, clear skies, lush greenery, immaculate golf courses and fine dining define this popular area. Explore Fort Myers Vacation Packages Houston Houston's massive size of more than 8,500 square miles equates to a vast number of attractions and activities promoting art, science, history and culture. Explore Houston Vacation Packages Jacksonville The most populous city in Florida, Jacksonville is the gateway to great destinations like Amelia Island and St. Augustine, where history comes alive. Explore Jacksonville Vacation Packages Key West The funkiest island in the Florida Keys, Key West is a unique blend of natural beauty, artistry and cultural diversity. Explore Key West Vacation Packages Las Vegas Las Vegas is entertainment — the best, the biggest and the most celebrity names. Enjoy the warm Nevada sun while sightseeing at nearby Hoover Dam, Lake Mead or Red Rock Canyon. Explore Las Vegas Vacation Packages Los Angeles Experience the glamour of Hollywood, relax on the beach, or discover eclectic neighborhoods, innovative restaurants and fabulous shopping.

Explore Los Angeles Vacation Packages Miami Miami, perched at the southern tip of Florida's Gold Coast, is the ideal spot for a vacation loaded with sun, sand and star-studded entertainment. Explore Miami Vacation Packages Montreal The cobblestone streets of Old Montreal contrast with the buzz of a energetic downtown that is trendy and wildly creative. Explore Montreal Vacation Packages Nashville Known as Music City USA for country-western enthusiasts, Nashville offers a variety of musical performances and a wide range of culture to explore. Explore Nashville Vacation Packages New Orleans Known for its cool jazz, hot nightlife and heavenly food, New Orleans is a place of culture, creativity and individuality. Explore New Orleans Vacation Packages New York City Visit the city that never sleeps, with enough famous sights and attractions to keep you busy every New York minute. Explore New York City Vacation Packages Orange County From family-fun parks and beautiful beaches to gourmet dining, world-class museums and sophisticated shopping, Orange County, California, has it all under the sun. Explore Orange County Vacation Packages Orlando Orlando is the place for family fun, with Universal Orlando®, Walt Disney World® Resort and much more. Explore Orlando Vacation Packages Philadelphia History buffs will enjoy all the cultural attractions Philadelphia has to offer, along with being a world-class sports destination.

Explore Philadelphia Vacation Packages Phoenix/Scottsdale This oasis is one of the fastest-growing areas in the U.S., with exceptional golfing, shopping and dining. Explore Phoenix & Scottsdale Vacation Packages Salt Lake City Just beyond the Wasatch Mountains and the Great Salt Lake, Salt Lake City is a mecca for snow activities and cultural happenings. Explore Salt Lake City Vacation Packages San Antonio Home to the Alamo and a 2.5-miles River Walk, San Antonio pulsates with a fun-loving spirit for its visitors of all ages. Explore San Antonio Vacation Packages San Diego With more than 70 miles of coastline, San Diego is a friendly metropolis offering prime watersports, unique shops and the renowned San Diego Zoo. Explore San Diego Vacation Packages San Francisco Cross the Golden Gate Bridge, ride a cable car, or visit an endless list of iconic attractions in this charming city. Explore San Francisco Vacation Packages Sarasota Sarasota offers 35 miles of white-sand beaches and a variety of art galleries, boutiques, museums and performing arts groups. Explore Sarasota Vacation Packages Seattle Home to the Space Needle and origin of the coffee shop phenomenon, Seattle is a thriving cultural, artistic city, surrounded by scenic water and mountains.

Explore Seattle Vacation Packages Tampa This vibrant region offers something for everyone, with theme parks, river excursions, culinary cuisine and a rich, cultural heritage. Explore Tampa Vacation Packages Toronto Cultured and cosmopolitan, Toronto is a center for performance theatre, and filled with ethnic diversity, unique restaurants and vibrant neighborhoods. Explore Toronto Vacation Packages Washington, D.C. Fill your days with historic monuments and fascinating museums, or discover the many charming sites outside the city. Explore Washington, D.C. Vacation Packages West Palm Beach West Palm Beach is host to many outdoor activities that provide an exciting opportunity to take in the natural beauty. Explore West Palm Beach Vacation Packages ADDITIONAL U.S. AND CANADA DESTINATIONS: Pitch a Tent in the Best U.S. Wine Regions Home > Camping Articles > Pitch a Tent in the Best U.S. Wine Regions Pitch a Tent in the Best U.S. Wine Regions By Bonnie Nicholls For ReserveAmerica.com Did you know every state in the U.S. produces wine? What's more, most of the popular wine regions—think Napa Valley, Rogue Valley and Shenandoah—have something else in common: they're all located near campgrounds.

Enjoy your traditional morning hikes and dinners around the fire, and then add a little wine-tasting to the day's agenda for a camping trip unlike any other. California California boasts several winery-dense areas, many of which are located along the coast. The most robust regions that have nearby campgrounds are Sonoma and Napa in northern California. Sonoma Sonoma is home to 450 wineries, according to SonomaWine.com . The growing harvest thrives thanks to a maritime fog that drifts in from the Sonoma Coast. This fog preserves the acidity and complexity in the wines, according to the Sonoma County Vintners. Chardonnay is the most common variety in this region, although there are plenty of varietals and reds such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir available. Sonoma State Beach has more than 100 campsites. When you're not relaxing at the campsite, walk along the beach, explore tide pools, watch the seals, or go fishing. Reserve a Campsite Napa Just east of Sonoma is Napa Valley, with nearly 500 wineries .

Despite its high concentration of wineries, Napa is actually one of the smallest wine-growing regions in the world, at just 30 miles long and a few miles wide, according to the Napa Valley Vintners Association. With a variety of microclimates and killer soils, growers produce many styles of wines, from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinot Noir to Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Bothe-Napa Valley State Park has 53 campsites, with one group site, 25 standard sites, 17 tent-only sites and 10 yurts. When you're not wine tasting, hike to Coyote Peak, or relax with a picnic next to the trailside creek. Reserve a Campsite Oregon Oregon is the country's third-largest wine-producing state and has almost 500 wineries and 300 tasting rooms. It's best known for a stellar Pinot Noir. Of the 22,000 acres that vintners harvest in Oregon, more than 15,000 acres are devoted to this variety. You'll also find Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Syrah and Riesling.

While wineries can be found all over the state, the primary growing areas are Willamette Valley and southern Oregon. Willamette Valley On the western edge of Oregon is the Willamette Valley, the largest producing wine region in the state. Pinot Noir is king here because the cool-climate grapes used to make this variety appreciate the valley's cool winters and dry summers, according to the Oregon Wine Board. Willamette Mission State Park is eight miles from Salem, located on 1,600 acres of land, which includes woodland to wetland and rolling hills. You can reserve tent and horse campsites only. Reserve a Campsite Rogue Valley and Applegate Valley There are quite a few wineries in this area, off Interstate 5 and clustered around the historic town of Jacksonville. Make basecamp at the nearby Valley of the Rogue State Park. The Rogue River makes this state park a great spot for fishing, boating, and rafting. The campground has more than 170 sites, some for tenting, some for RVs. Reserve a Campsite Washington Washington is a camper's paradise with the Cascades, Mount Rainier the Columbia River all within the state's boundaries.

It's also the second-largest wine producer in the United States, and grapes are its fourth largest fruit crop, according to WashingtonWine.org . It boasts more than 750 wineries, all of which produce Riesling and Chardonnay, as well as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. While there are some growers in the Puget Sound area, the most popular wine regions are just east of the Cascades. Columbia Valley Almost all of Washington's grapes are grown in the Columbia Valley, which encompasses the Walla Walla Valley, Yakima Valley, and the Tri-Cities (Richland, Pasco and Kennewick). You'll find wineries off Highway 82 in Yakima and the Tri-Cities, and Route 12 and 125 in Walla Walla. Soda Springs Campground is near the Bumping River in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest with 19 standard non-electric campsites—suitable for tents and RVs. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife and hike along Goat Ridge Trail or the Richmond Mine Trail.

Reserve a Campsite Virginia One of the oldest wine regions in the country, vintners have been growing grapes here since the 17th century. In Jamestown, settlers were obligated by law to plant European vines, but these plants were prone to pests and did not fare well. Even the first and third U.S. presidents, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, tried to grow European grapes and failed, according to VirginiaWine.org . It wasn't until growers used Native American grapes that they had success. Now Virginia has almost 250 wineries. Chardonnay is the most popularly grown variety in Virginia. Many wineries also produce Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Viognier. Shenandoah Valley The Shenandoah Valley is the largest producer of Virginia wine, with more than 30 wineries nestled between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Allegheny Mountains. Nearly 19 wineries participate in the Shenandoah Wine Trail, where you can mosey from winery to winery with your hiking boots on.

The most spectacular time to visit is in the fall, when the leaves turn into a sea of red, yellow and orange, but you can enjoy water sports on the Shenandoah River in the summer including tubing, rafting, canoeing, and kayaking. Camp at the Shenandoah River State Park, with 15 cabins of various sizes, a six-bedroom lodge, 32 standard electric sites, and 10 tent sites. New York is home to more than 35 wineries and 1,600 vineyards, according to NewYorkWines.org . The most popular regions for wine growing are Finger Lakes and Long Island. Finger Lakes This region, with 119 wineries, specializes in sparkling wines, ice wine and dessert wine as well as Riesling and Pinot Noir. If you love fishing, then head to Cayuga Lake State Park. Cayuga Lake is the largest and longest of the Finger Lakes, and is home to bass, trout and salmon. The campground features 14 cabins and 267 campsites, all of which accommodate tents and RVs.

Reserve a Campsite Long Island Long Island is the state's newest wine-producing region has 66 wineries and is known for red wine. Get away from the wineries and pitch your tent at Hither Hills State Park, a 168-site campground located near the beach and close to the wineries. Napa, Sonoma wineries blend into new competition - SFGate Napa, Sonoma wineries blend into new competition Janice Fuhrman Published 4:00 am, Friday, July 13, 2001 Image 1of/1 The photo is of owner Ted Hall, of Long Meadow Ranch Winery. The photo is of owner Ted Hall, of Long Meadow Ranch Winery. Napa, Sonoma wineries blend into new competition 1 / 1 Back to Gallery Editor's note: This is first of a two-part series about increasing competition in the wine industry. . At the 24th annual International Eastern Wine Competition last summer, the top-rated Cabernet Sauvignon was not from Napa or France but from New South Wales. The top white was a Gewurztraminer from Sonoma's Chateau St.

Jean winery -- but judges were shocked to learn its origin. Several of them had identified it as typical of the New York Finger Lakes region, where the competition was held. Quality wine is coming from the most unusual places these days -- and from so many of them. New vineyards and wineries are not only popping up in California, with its nearly 350,000 acres of vineyards in Sonoma, Napa, Monterey , Temecula, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Mendocino, among other areas, but in Oregon, Washington, New York, Virginia, the Carolinas and Texas, as well as other states. Then there's the rest of the world: In addition to France, Italy and Spain, there are burgeoning wine industries across Canada, Chile, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, among others. SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST What do these numerous other wine producing regions offer in the way of competition to Napa and Sonoma producers, and is anybody worried? Do Sonoma and Napa vintners pay attention to what's happening around the world, or simply mind their own vineyards and produce the best wine they can? Some vintners say they welcome the competition.

"The revitalization of our vineyards in the last eight-10 years due to phylloxera (plant lice) forced us to go to more sustainable farming practices, to be more aware of how and where and what we plant -- all these things go into producing better wines," says Margaret Duckhorn , president of the Napa Valley Vintners Association. "Only time will tell whether that will pay off for us. That's the main challenge to us in the long run. Those that make the best will be the survivors." Others look at the competition as more daunting. "It's going to be a long haul to keep our branding strong," says Jaimie Douglas , executive director of the Sonoma County Wineries Association . "The U.S. is importing more wine than ever before at lower price points, so that's a challenge in stores and in restaurants. And it's gaining momentum. The whole food and wine part of our lifestyle is being invaded." Sonoma wineries, "are concerned about our market share in this climate of increasing competition," Douglas says.

"We're evaluating marketing programs abroad as well as domestic ones." The Sonoma group is working to increase opportunities in the marketplace for its wines through educating the public about the differences between Sonoma and other regions -- even Napa. "We have visitors to our visitors center in Rohnert Park who think they're in Napa," Douglas says. "In my experience, European travelers can identify this area better than San Franciscans." REGIONS UNRIVALED The Napa Valley Vintners Association has an international program with 38 of its wineries participating in promoting the valley's wines. Its members will travel this year and next to Canada, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Singapore and Hong Kong, among other areas. But some wine producers here say wine is so defined by its place of origin and Napa and Sonoma are such unique growing regions that there is no real threat to the local industries as wine regions and production expands throughout the United States and the world. "If someone sells a bottle of wine in the Finger Lakes, it doesn't displace my sale," says Ted Hall , owner of Napa's Long Meadow Ranch Winery. "People are naturally going to take an interest in products made locally and this is likely to stimulate a broader interest in wine.

At the end of the day, when someone wants a great Cabernet, they'll reach out here to Napa county." This theory holds that Sonoma and Napa are a microcosmic example of the wine industry worldwide, where neighbors don't view one another as competition but people who are cooperative with one another. Since there are so many wineries and so much selection, no one specific winery is thought of as a direct competitor. "If there were only 10 wineries, like Ford and GM, or Coke and Pepsi, there would probably be more competitive feelings," says Mike Fisher , a partner in Motto Kryla Fisher LLP (Limited Liability Partnership), a wine industry consulting firm. "It's that kind of mentality, that we're all in this together and we're going to work together to increase the number of consumers who drink wine." But a growing number of Napa and Sonoma vintners, such as Kendall-Jackson and Robert Mondavi , have hedged their bets by expanding their operations outside California's premier wine country region, where land for vineyards is less expensive and more plentiful.

"The strength of these emerging wine regions, Chile for example, is that in Chile, we can produce the same quality for one 10th the price of what producers here can. That is how Chile will come ahead," says Agustin Francisco Huneeus , president of Franciscan Estates, which includes seven wineries, including ones in Napa, Sonoma and Chile. "Production is growing like crazy; everywhere people are planting more grapes." THINKING GLOBALLY The Appellations Of California Wine - North Coast - The Wine Institute Home > Press Room > Lifestyle and Travel > The Appellations Of California Wine - ... The Appellations Of California Wine - North Coast The North Coast American Viticultural Area-Populated with the Most California Wineries The North Coast American Viticultural Area (AVA) in California, covering more than three million acres, includes Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake counties, and portions of Marin and Solano counties. The area forms a slightly crooked rectangle, approximately 100 miles long and more than 50 miles wide.

A winemaking mecca since the mid 19th century, today the area features about 800 wineries, nearly half of the total wineries in the state. American Viticultural Areas are to appellations of origin as grapes are to fruit. AVAs are delimited grapegrowing areas distinguishable by geographic, climatic and historic features, and the boundaries have been delineated in a petition filed and accepted by the federal government. In size, AVAs range from extremely small to extremely large. AVAs are one kind of appellation, but not all appellations are AVAs. An appellation can also be a political designation, such as the name of a country, the name of a state or states, the name of a county or counties within a state. More information on AVAs and appellations can be found at the Wine Institute's AVA section . Napa Valley Established in 1981, the Napa Valley AVA covers 225,300 acres of land, encompassing almost the entire county of Napa and is home to 400 wineries. Within that area, there are 45,000 acres of vineyards planted.

Cabernet Sauvignon is king in Napa Valley with a total of 18,200 acres, and Chardonnay is the most widely planted white wine variety with 7,300 acres. Napa produces about five percent of total California wine. The Napa Valley is bordered by two mountain ranges—the Vaca on the east and the Mayacamas, rising well above 2,000 feet and bordering the adjacent Sonoma County, on the west. Mt. St. Helena (4,343') stands sentry at the northern end of the appellation where the valley ends at the town of Calistoga. This is the warmest locale in the region. About 30 miles away, near the city of Napa, the southern end of the valley opens to San Pablo Bay, an interconnecting arm of the San Francisco Bay system. A uniquely diverse winegrowing appellation, the Napa Valley formed—much like the rest of the North Coast—through a geological evolution active with colliding tectonic plates (large pieces of the earth's crust), volcanic activity and changes in sea level as water alternately advanced and retreated over the southern end of the valley several times.

As a result of these geological events that took place over a 60-million-year history, the Napa Valley has soils of volcanic, maritime and alluvial origin, with more than 30 different types identified. Defined by mountain ranges and a proximity to the Pacific Ocean, the Napa Valley enjoys a temperate climate with a long growing season of sunny, warm days followed by cool evenings. Within the Napa Valley AVA, there are 14 other AVAs with distinct microclimates and terrains formed by a varied topographical configuration of hills, exposures and elevations. The Napa Valley AVA is also part of the North Coast AVA. Sonoma County The appellation of Sonoma County totals more than one million acres of land of which 60,000 acres area planted to winegrapes. The county includes 13 distinct AVAs as well as being a part of the North Coast AVA. The larger Sonoma Coast AVA has with 517,000 acres. Chardonnay takes the lead as the most planted variety with 15,100 acres, and Cabernet Sauvignon is the next most planted variety with 11,900 acres.

The area produces about eight percent of California's total wine production. Sonoma County is 52 miles wide and 47 miles long and is currently home to 260 wineries. On the east, Sonoma County borders Napa Valley along the Mayacamas Range. About two million years ago, volcanic eruptions deposited a series of ash and lava called the Sonoma Volcanics throughout much of Sonoma and Napa Counties, especially along the Mayacamas Range. The western edge of the County is the California coastline along the Pacific Ocean. Sonoma County borders Mendocino County in the north and Marin County in the south. Luther Burbank called Sonoma County "the chosen spot of all the earth as far as nature is concerned." A vastly diverse range of topography, including numerous small valleys with distinct microclimates, the Russian River and the Pacific Ocean, all characterize the region. A moderate climate with a cooling maritime influence, Sonoma County embodies ideal and diverse grapegrowing weather: from valley to hillside, moist ocean coast to dry inland, and cool southern regions that complement the warmer, more northern areas.

Mendocino County Mendocino is an approved American Viticultural Area with 275,200 acres. The total area planted to vineyards is 16,700 acres. About 4,300 acres are planted to Chardonnay, 1,900 acres to Pinot Noir, and 2,600 acres to Cabernet Sauvignon. Approximately 25 percent of the total vineyard acreage in Mendocino County is certified organic. There are 10 official American Viticultural Areas in Mendocino County. There are 56 wineries and over 250 growers harvesting approximately 62,000 winegrape tons, representing about two percent of the state's wine tonnage. Located directly north of Sonoma County and about 90 miles north of San Francisco, the Mendocino wine region is bounded by California's Coastal Mountain Range, the Pacific Ocean and the great northern redwood forests. A mountainous region, it is part of the seismically active Coast Range and is also the place where the San Andreas Fault reaches the ocean. Almost 60 percent of the county is blanketed with coniferous forests.

Most of the vineyards are located in the inland valleys in the south and east areas of the region. The vineyards growing white wine grape varieties are located on flood plains and alluvium along the Navarro and Russian Rivers. Most of the red varieties are grown on the bench lands above. Lake County The western portion of Lake County comprises the North Coast AVA. It encompasses the Clear Lake AVA, which in itself has 168,900 acres of land, the Red Hills Lake County AVA, and High Valley AVA. Within Lake County, a total of 8,530 acres are planted to winegrapes. This is expected to double in the next few years, as many new vineyards are being planted. Cabernet Sauvignon is the most planted variety with 3,300 acres. Sauvignon Blanc is the second with 1,790 acres. Fourteen wineries are located in the region. About 20 out-of-county wineries purchase Lake County grapes from independent growers. Lake County crushed 32,000 tons in 2005, about one percent of California's total winegrape tonnage.

Lake County surrounds Clear Lake, the largest natural lake in California. The vineyards are planted throughout the county, from the agriculturally rich valley at 1,370 feet elevation (lake level), to the rocky red volcanic soil at more than 2,000 feet elevation around Mt. Konocti—a dormant volcano in the Pacific Rim chain. These elevations provide cooler winter conditions and a later start to the growing season. Summer growing conditions are suitably warm to ripen the grapes and the elevation allows rapid cooling in the evening. Few grape pests can tolerate the altitude and cool climate. Lake County growers are committed to sustainable farming and participate in year long educational programs to this end. Marin & Solano Counties Marin County has 80 acres of vineyards and 13 wineries. Bordered on three sides by the cooling influence of the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay, the area grows mostly the early maturing Pinot Noir and some Chardonnay. The northeastern half of Marin is officially in the North Coast AVA. A small portion of Solano County, forming the southeast tip of the North Coast AVA, has three AVAs, covering an area of more than 21,200 acres.

It too receives the cool maritime influence with ocean breezes flowing through the San Francisco Bay and the Delta. The vineyards and wines of California's North Coast are recognized worldwide for their quality and diversity. There is a sense of place that identifies the region as well as the people. From the days of the Gold Rush of 1849, this part of the state has embodied the pioneering spirit and innovation that still energizes the California wine business. Most acreage and crush statistics come from the California Grape Acreage Report and California Crush Report . Wine type statistics are used, as raisin and table grape data reflects what is usually crushed for fruit juice concentrate. Information is also from regional winery and grower associations and from the "Economic Impact of California Wine" by MKF Research. Most of the AVA information comes from the Wine Institute's American Viticultural Areas section . Vestra contains AVA area maps and the TTB has information on Appellations of Origin . Credentialed journalists and Wine Institute members requiring further information may contact the Wine Institute Communications Department .

Question: In which US state are the Sonoma and Nappa Valley wine growing areas?
Answer: California