Anderson Valley AVA

An ava located in California's Mendocino County, north of Sonoma County and San Francisco. The area starts just south of Boonville and extends northwest for about 25 miles ending close to the Pacific Ocean at its northwest tip. Most of the Anderson Valley Viticultural Area is a cool growing area-a Region I to Region II rating (see climate regions of california). It does well with pinot noir, chardonnay, gewurtraminer and riesling; cabernet sauvignon; merlot and zinfandel are also grown. In addition to still wines this region successfully grows the style of grape required for good sparkling wines such as those from Pacific Echo (formerly Scharfenberger Cellars) and Roederer Estate.