The Sonoma Coast AVA is an American Viticultural AreainSonoma County, California, United States containing more than 500,000 acres (2,000 km2), mostly along the coastline of the Pacific Ocean. It extends from San Pablo Bay to the border with Mendocino County. The appellation is known for its cool climate and high rainfall relative to other parts of Sonoma County. The area has such a broad range of microclimates that petitions have been made to the United States Department of the Treasury Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau for the creation of sub-AVAs such as the Fort Ross-Seaview AVA[2] which was approved in December 2011.
| Wine region | |
| Type | American Viticultural Area |
|---|---|
| Year established | 1987[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Part of | California, North Coast AVA, Sonoma County |
| Sub-regions | Chalk Hill AVA, Fort Ross-Seaview AVA, Green Valley of Russian River Valley AVA, Los Carneros AVA, Northern Sonoma AVA, Petaluma Gap AVA, Russian River Valley AVA, Sonoma Valley AVA |
| Total area | 500,000 acres (2,000 km2)[2] |
| Grapes produced | Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Marsanne, Merlot, Pinot gris, Pinot Meunier, Pinot noir, Pinotage, Roussanne, Sauvignon blanc, Syrah, Viognier, Zinfandel[2] |
The boundaries of the appellation are defined in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 27, Section 9.116.[1] The following seven cities are located in, or partly in, the Sonoma Coast AVA:
The Petaluma Gap is also part of the Sonoma Coast AVA.
E & J Gallo Winery operates Two Rock Vineyard, a 400-acre (1.6 km2) hillside vineyard near Cotati.[3]