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564:(68,000 ha). When first proposed, the Russian River Winegrowers Association voted unanimously to oppose the expansion on the grounds that the proposed area is climatically different from the rest of the Russian River areas. Gallo contested that opinion and after changes in leadership the grower's associations officially takes a neutral stance on the proposal though some vocal opposition still exist. As of a meeting of the members on December 9, 2008, the Russian River Winegrowers are opposed the proposed expansion.
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742:. The region's cool climate produces more grapes with higher acidity that tend to be more balanced than the fatter, creamy style found in the Alexander Valley. Grapes from the Russian River and smaller Green Valley areas have been prized by sparkling wine producers for their crispness and high quality.
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for being too broad in scope. In 1999, the grower's association filed a new proposal to revise the boundaries based on the influences of coastal fog. Under this proposal the warmer Chalk Hill sub-AVA, which has little fog influence, would be excluded from the
Russian River AVA and more acreage along
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According to the trade group
Russian River Valley Winegrowers, 42 percent of the grapes harvested in the region are chardonnay, while 29 percent are Pinot noir. While the region is predominantly associated with Chardonnay and Pinot noir, hillside vineyard locations have shown success with other
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petition for a further expansion of the AVA in the southwestern corner of 14,000 acres (5,700 ha) that would include the winery's Two Rock
Vineyard located along the Highway 101 corridor near Cotati in the AVA. If approved, the petition would expand the AVA's total acreage to 169,000 acres
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the southwest corner of the AVA would be added. That proposal was later rejected as well. In 2003, a new proposal was issued expanding the AVA 767 acres (310 ha) on the south western end near the Green Valley region. This expansion was approved later that year.
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in the
Russian River Area often take place at later dates than in its neighboring regions. The central and western reaches of the AVA are the coolest and tend to be most extensively planted with Pinot noir and Chardonnay. The eastern parts of the AVA, located near
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invested significantly in the region in the late 20th century with Gallo purchasing the large Laguna Ranch vineyard for its flagship "premium" Chardonnay under its Gallo of Sonoma label in 1970 and purchasing the Twin Valley Ranch once owned by actor
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production. In the late 1990s and early 21st century, as the popularity for Pinot Noir grew, the region saw an explosion of investment with Pinot plantings jumping from 4,000 acres (1,600 ha) to over 12,000 acres (4,900 ha) by 2003.
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The
Russian River AVA has had a number of disputes regarding the expansion and revision of the appellation boundaries. In 1997, the Russian River Winegrowers association attempted to expand the AVA all the way down to the town of
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planted in the mid to late 20th century, including the
Martini, Swan, Pommard, and 115 clones, produced a "classic" style of Russian River Pinots that were characterized by vibrant (but pale) color, lively
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producers. It would not be until the 1970s that vineyards in the
Russian River region would begin to focus on quality wine production and begin using their grapes for local bottlings. The 1973 vintage of
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known as "Goldridge soil". Some of the area's most respected Pinot noir and
Chardonnay vineyards are planted along deposits of Goldridge soil. Near the town of Sebastopol, a different soil that is more
509:-fed waterway that swells in the wintertime and provides vital irrigation to the region's vineyards during the dry season in late spring. In the summertime, the warmth of the season is tempered by the
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based, known as "Sebastopol soil" has also shown itself to work well with Pinot noir due to its ability to retain less water than
Goldridge soil. This soil was created by water flowing off the
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that allowed for more leaf removal which exposed the grapes to more sunlight. In addition to enhancing some of the color producing phenols, the new trellising also served to increase
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783:. In response to these poor scores, some Russian River winemakers altered their techniques in order to enhance the color. These techniques ranged from blending in the darker color
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As of 2008, the
Russian River Valley accounted for nearly 19% of all the Pinot noir plantings in California and 10% of all grape varieties planted in Sonoma County. Older
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for its MacMurray Ranch label. Gallo's rival Kendall Jackson pumped more than $ 12 million into updating and establishing its La Crema label in the Russian River region.
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In 1983, the region was approved for AVA status. Over time the region began to develop a reputation for the quality of its Chardonnay and Pinot Noir for both still and
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583:" for personal family consumption, commercial wineries sprung up and by the dawn of the 20th century there were nearly 200 wineries operating. The advent of
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With parts of the AVA located less than 10 miles (16 kilometers) from the Pacific, the climate of the Russian River AVA is characterized by cool morning
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varietals, the nature of the Russian River Valley's cool climate can be seen in the wine. For example, Russian River Merlots tend to have distinctive
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in the north. The Russian River Valley has a characteristically cool climate, heavily affected by fog generated by the valley's proximity to the
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with nighttime temperatures dropping as much as 35 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit (about 20 °C) from daytime high. The Russian River is a
391:, the river changed course. The small segment of the river valley that makes up the AVA begins near Healdsburg once the river leaves the
852:(Title 27: Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms - Part 9—American Viticultural Areas - Subpart C—Approved American Viticultural Areas)
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aroma. Despite its close proximity, the Russian River AVA produces Chardonnays that are dramatically different from those found in the
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that add color to the wine. Other winemakers altered some of their viticultural practices in the vineyards, including adopting new
107:
599:" to survive during this period. (Today one of the most prestigious vineyards in the region is the Jackass Hill Vineyard owned by
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claims to be the first wines to include the words Russian River on their wine labels. The winery giants of E & J Gallo and
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and include the sub-AVA of Chalk Hill, are the warmest areas of the Russian River AVA being the furthest away from the ocean.
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compounds found in the grapes. The style of Pinot noir produced from these techniques tend to be heavier, more
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727:. While Sauvignon blanc from the region tend to be slightly less "grassy" they still tend to exhibit
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The geography of the Russian River Valley was shaped millions of years ago by collisions between the
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notes. While that style had it share of fans, the lack of coloring would be a factor in poor score
603:.) At the end of Prohibition the few vineyards that were operating would sell their grapes to bulk
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that carried with it clay deposits. A third soil type, found close to the river, is predominantly
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723:-like note and Zinfandels tend to exhibit more tart red fruit than Zinfandels from the warmer
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1157:"Russian River Valley Winegrowers group votes against boundary change 71-18 in secret ballot"
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and burns off during the day. The cooling influence of the fog is responsible for the large
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countries descended upon the region and began planting vines. While most vineyards were "
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Approximate location of the Russian River Valley AVA along the path of the Russian River.
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dealt a devastating blow to the region with many wineries going out of business. Some
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was granted AVA status in 1983 and enlarged in 2005. The area generally lies between
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in the Russian River region dates back to the 19th century when immigrants from
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Despite its name, the Russian River Valley AVA does not cover the entire
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and limits the risk of over ripeness or "baked" flavors in the grapes.
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families continued to make wine illegally and others converted to
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883:"Russian River Valley Appellation May Get Bigger -- Or Smaller"
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but during its history, for reasons not yet understood by
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American Viticultural Areas of Sonoma County, California
383:. Originally the river continued south and emptied into
343:. The area is known for its success with cool climate
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extraction that added more weight and extraction of
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Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
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994:(3rd ed.). Oxford University Press. pp.
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906:"Russian River Valley (AVA): Appellation Profile"
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1237:Russian River Valley Wine Region and Appellation
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1179:"Russian River Valley: Pinot noir Gets Its Dew"
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988:Robinson, Jancis; Harding, Julia, eds. (2006).
965:Russian River Valley Wine Grower's Association
819:) and decrease the amount of the green tasting
513:influence of fog that facilitates a long, slow
367:A Pinot noir from the Russian River Valley AVA.
595:a sugar and water base wine known as "Jackass
427:. In 2003 the AVA was expanded to include 767
674:An unoaked Chardonnay from the Russian River.
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1028:(4th ed.). Dorling Kindersley. p.
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42:A vineyard in the Russian River Valley AVA
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407:and Sebastopol and west to the towns of
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108:Green Valley of Russian River Valley AVA
16:American Viticultural Area in California
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1155:McCallum, Kevin (December 11, 2008).
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691:that allow for suitable plantings of
403:. From there it extends south to the
61:1983, amended in 1987, 2003, and 2005
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551:. This proposal was rejected by the
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1086:MacNeil, Karen (February 1, 2000).
936:"Russian River Valley AVA Boundary"
836:
687:. Within the AVA there are several
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657:
637:A vineyard of Russian River Valley
117:96,000 acres (150 sq mi)
14:
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1291:1983 establishments in California
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379:and southwest all the way to the
1199:Russian River Valley Winegrowers
940:Russian River Valley Winegrowers
771:that would often include earthy
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585:Prohibition in the United States
1136:Fish, Tim (December 31, 2008).
1092:. Workman Publishing. pp.
1062:Morgan, Jeff (March 31, 1998).
1177:Berger, Dan (April 23, 2008).
928:
881:Fish, Tim (January 11, 2003).
130:
1:
1228:Russian River Valley Wineries
1117:Morgan, Jeff (May 18, 1999).
830:
745:
644:Freeman Vineyard & Winery
503:diurnal temperature variation
991:The Oxford Companion to Wine
973:Accessed: January 25th, 2009
849:"§9.66 Russian River Valley"
377:Mendocino County, California
125:15,000 acres (6,100 ha)
7:
1204:September 25, 2008, at the
1025:Sotheby's Wine Encyclopedia
856:Code of Federal Regulations
767:fruit flavors and delicate
547:in the southeast corner of
10:
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815:content (and subsequently
787:and Syrah or the red wine
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375:-which extends north into
298:American Viticultural Area
52:American Viticultural Area
1138:"Sonoma Winemakers Clash"
827:and almost "Syrah-like".
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122:Size of planted vineyards
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399:in the foothills of the
395:region through a narrow
294:Russian River Valley AVA
22:Russian River Valley AVA
1222:considered for deletion
1022:Stevenson, Tom (2007).
969:Climate & Geography
1261:38.48335°N 122.81619°W
942:. 2008. Archived from
912:. 2007. Archived from
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646:was founded in 2001.
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490:regions of the river.
461:over layers of eroded
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319:in Sonoma County. The
1239:Sonoma County Tourism
715:. Even for these non-
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665:
537:
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359:Geography and climate
1266:38.48335; -122.81619
946:on December 9, 2008.
740:Alexander Valley AVA
373:Russian River Valley
1257: /
1183:Appellation America
1064:"The Promised Land"
910:Appellation America
425:Sonoma Green Valley
401:Mayacamas Mountains
86:Northern Sonoma AVA
23:
1161:The Press Democrat
809:trellising systems
805:phenolic compounds
713:Cabernet Sauvignon
679:varieties such as
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610:Foppiano Vineyards
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369:
331:in the south, and
308:. Centered on the
165:Cabernet Sauvignon
21:
1103:978-1-56305-434-1
1039:978-0-7566-3164-2
916:on March 24, 2016
785:Alicante Bouschet
601:Martinelli Winery
530:Boundary disputes
486:and makes up the
453:and eruptions by
405:Santa Rosa Plains
385:San Francisco Bay
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145:Alicante Bouschet
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90:Sonoma Coast AVA
58:Year established
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457:that deposited
451:tectonic plates
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141:Grapes produced
82:North Coast AVA
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1089:The Wine Bible
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697:Gewürztraminer
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619:Fred MacMurray
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455:volcanic vents
444:North American
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225:Muscat Canelli
201:Gewurztraminer
193:Early Burgundy
161:Cabernet Franc
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944:the original
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918:. Retrieved
914:the original
909:
886:
859:. Retrieved
855:
781:wine critics
777:wine ratings
749:
701:Petite Sirah
677:
648:
641:
571:
558:
541:
499:Petaluma Gap
492:
459:volcanic ash
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293:
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233:Petite Sirah
229:Petit Verdot
181:Chenin Blanc
157:Black Muscat
133:of vineyards
27:
18:
1264: /
1252:122°48′58″W
825:full bodied
793:Mega Purple
789:concentrate
593:bootlegging
573:Viticulture
435:) south of
413:Guerneville
333:Forestville
321:appellation
237:Pinot Blanc
100:Sub-regions
29:Wine region
1280:Categories
1249:38°29′00″N
920:January 4,
861:January 4,
831:References
797:maceration
791:known as "
746:Pinot noir
717:Burgundian
589:winemaking
431:(310
421:Chalk Hill
417:Occidental
389:geologists
353:Chardonnay
349:Pinot noir
347:, notably
337:Healdsburg
329:Santa Rosa
325:Sebastopol
306:California
261:Sangiovese
249:Pinot Noir
241:Pinot Gris
177:Chardonnay
114:Total area
78:California
1220:is being
685:Zinfandel
666:Zinfandel
559:In 2008,
488:benchland
467:sandstone
409:Monte Rio
345:varietals
300:(AVA) in
285:Zinfandel
257:Roussanne
173:Carignane
1213:template
1202:Archived
821:pyrazine
773:mushroom
605:jug wine
511:maritime
484:alluvial
314:vineyard
281:Viognier
269:Semillon
253:Pinotage
217:Marsanne
205:Grenache
189:Dolcetto
185:Cinsault
1094:671–672
996:643-644
757:acidity
581:gardens
568:History
519:Harvest
463:bedrock
448:Pacific
317:acreage
213:Mammolo
153:Barbera
74:Part of
66:Country
1232:Curlie
1226:
1217:Curlie
1100:
1036:
1002:
761:cherry
752:clones
733:citrus
729:herbal
709:Merlot
597:brandy
545:Cotati
524:US 101
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