Sonoma Coast is one of the largest AVAs in Sonoma, California. It covers some 500,000 acres (200,000ha) of land altogether, although only a tiny portion of this is planted to vine. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay dominate the vineyards along the Sonoma Coast, making premium wines in a range of different styles.
The AVA was created in 1987, primarily for political and commercial reasons. In the mid-1980s, the legal definition of 'estate bottled' was tightened in the US, restricting use of the term to wines that were grown and vinified within a single AVA. This led a number of wine companies whose vineyards were scattered all along the coastline of Sonoma County to propose an over-arching AVA, affording them continued use of the phrase. This sets Sonoma Coast apart from other AVAs in northern California, most of which were created based on geological and climatological considerations.
Despite its name, the Sonoma Coast AVA stretches quite a long way inland as it follows the border with Marin County to the south. Its boundaries veer sharply inland just east of Bodega Bay, and spread out southwards and eastwards into the Petaluma watershed, hugging the southern point of the Russian River Valley. Where it meets the northern tip of Sonoma Valley just outside Santa Rosa, the edge of the AVA is more than 20 miles (35km) east of the coastline proper, and even further from the inland bays east of San Francisco.
Climatically speaking, the Sonoma Coast is decidedly maritime, and is cooler and wetter than the rest of Sonoma County. This is due to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, and the cooling fog that creeps into the coastal valleys via the Petaluma Gap during the summer.
As a result of the cool climate, the distribution of grape varieties differs noticeably from that found in the drier, warmer climes inland. The Burgundy family are out in force here – Pinot Noir and Chardonnay together account for more than 75 percent of the AVA's wines. There are also plantings of Pinot Gris, Zinfandel and Syrah in Sonoma Coast, but these are the clear exception.
Notable wines from the AVA include Sonoma Coast Pinots Noirs from Kosta Browne, Kistler Vineyards, Marcassin and Joseph Phelps. Sonoma Coast Chardonnays, although generally less revered than their Pinot Noir counterparts, can be very fine. They are championed by the likes of Flowers Vineyard & Winery, Aubert Wines and of course Sonoma-Cutrer, which owns substantial acreage within the AVA.
There is currently one subregion within the extensive Sonoma Coast AVA – Fort Ross-Seaview, located in the northwestern part of the AVA. It is highly likely a second, the Petaluma Gap AVA, will soon be approved by the authorities.
