Local Terroir

Geological Influences

The landforms and soils of the West Sonoma Coast AVA are predominantly related to the Franciscan Complex –  the subduction of the Pacific tectonic plate beneath the North American plate which took place from 190 million to 16 million years ago. This long, slow process created mountains and soils, along with the San Andreas and other earthquake faults.

As the Pacific Plate moved east, much of the seafloor was scraped off and either wound up on top of the North American plate or accreted to its edge. This formed coastal mountain ranges from marine sedimentary and metamorphic soils. The Pacific Plate’s deeper bedrock went below the North American Plate.

There are many different Franciscan Complex soils within the West Sonoma Coast AVA. However, when it comes to the actual vineyards there is less diversity. Since the vineyards tend to be at altitude, due to the climate, they have thin, well-draining top soils on subsoils of sedimentary rock.


Mountains/River/other key influences

The two main geographical influences on the West Sonoma Coast AVA are the Pacific Ocean and the Coastal Mountain Ranges. The ocean has a profound cooling and moderating effect. The AVA boundaries were drawn with this in mind, including only territory with direct maritime influence. So, the area is notably cooler and somewhat more humid than portions of the county further east. 

The effects of the mountains on vineyards in the AVA are based on slope and altitude. Low altitude areas in the AVA have a cool marine climate and spend much of the day enveloped in fog. Low temperatures and sunlight, along with damp air, make viticulture in many spots challenging, though it can work in some. In contrast, the high-altitude vineyards have a cool Mediterranean climate with plenty of sun and a long growing season. Slopes influence water drainage, soil depth, and aspect to the sun.


Climate

High-altitude areas of the West Sonoma Coast AVA are marked by a warm-summer Mediterranean climate and long, sunny, dry growing seasons. Winters are moderate, but that’s when almost all of the precipitation comes. Though the AVA shares this climate type with other  California growing areas with coastal influence, the West Sonoma Coast is cooler than most.

From a Winkler degree-day standpoint, vineyards in the West Sonoma Coast AVA are Region I, cool climate. Accumulation varies with vintage and location, but generally runs from 927-1093° C (1,700 to just over 2,000° F). On a daily basis, the AVA experiences cooler days but warmer nights and thus a much smaller diurnal shift than zones further inland. Warm nights also mean that there is little risk of frost.

The West Sonoma Coast is also less windy. To the south, wind rushes through the Petaluma Gap to fill the low-pressure zone caused by rapidly rising, hot air well inland. Since West Sonoma Coast’s back is to the mountains and its air is cool, there’s little wind generation.


Sub-AVAs

Fort Ross-Seaview AVA
Location/Geography
An 11,129-ha (27,500-acre) appellation far north within the West Sonoma Coast AVA. Remote, wooded and mountainous, it lies in the high ridges above Jenner, where the Russian River meets the Pacific Ocean, largely centered along Meyers Grade Road.
Name Background
Named for Fort Ross, the historic outpost of Russian settlers set along Highway 1, and the small community of Seaview along Seaview Road.
Topography/Elevation/Water Sources/Geographic Features
This is a mountainous AVA with most vineyards located at elevation to accrue enough hours above the fog to receive enough warmth and sunlight to achieve ripeness for cool-climate varieties. Altitudes vary, but can exceed 1,000 feet (305 m), whereas they d
Geology/Soil Composition
Defined by the San Andreas Fault and Pacific Ocean, the soils are diverse and derived from sedimentary rocks and deposits. Well-drained gravelly loam soils derived from sandstone and shale are common.
Climate
Heavy winter rainfall, moderate conditions during the growing season, with drier, warmer temperatures than many of the valley AVAs that sit in summertime fog.
Main Grape Varieties
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.