Anderson Valley Terrain & Soil
The Influence of Anderson Valley Soil on Wine Production
The AVA begins at about 800 feet above sea-level in the northwest part of the valley. At these lower elevations, soils are primarily alluvial with a substantial amount of clay. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Gewurztraminer and Riesling dominate plantings in this part of the AVA.
Soils in the foothills surrounding the valley are substantially more acidic and austere than those on the valley floor. The geology of this part of the region supports fuller-bodied varietals including Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
However, wines made from these grapes do not resemble those from warmer AVAs.
These vineyards are still affected by wind and fog from the Pacific Ocean and Navarro River. Subsequently, most wines have high acid levels and are light to medium-bodied.
The viticultural area is approximately 15 miles long and about two miles wide. It is immediately to the west of the 3,000 foot Coastal Mountain Range and about 30 miles east of the Pacific Ocean.
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