Russian River Valley
Named for the Russian explorers who maintained a fur trading post on the Sonoma coast from 1812 to 1841, The Russian River, the largest river in Sonoma County, winds peacefully through some of the most beautiful scenery in the California wine country.

The Russian River Valley appellation starts just north of Healdsburg and extends south and west along with the river, following it part way on its journey through the redwood clad coastal range and stopping just short of the California coast. At the western edge of the Russian River Valley lies the famous river resort town of Guerneville – longtime favorite getaway spot for San Francisco’s gay and lesbian crowd. In addition to Sonoma wine tasting and California winery tours, canoe trips on the river or strolls through the redwoods at Armstrong Woods State Park are just a

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few of the attractions on offer. A drive out to Jenner-by-the-sea will show you where the river meets the Pacific and a short way up the coast is Fort Ross, the old Russian settlement, now preserved as a State Historic Park.

The morning fog that winds up the valley from the sea as well as the cooling effects of the river itself make the Russian River Valley ideal for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Zinfandel is grown in the warmer, flatter portions of the Russian River Valley on the Santa Rosa plain. The wild blackberry brambles that grow along the river and in the cool hollows of the redwood groves give the zinfandels and pinot noirs an unmistakable jammy quality.

Russian River Valley wineries that offer winery tours and wine tasting are: Korbel, Martin Ray, De Loach, and Roshambo

Russian River Valley Wineries: 50
Russian River Valley Wine Grape Growers: 200
Russian River Valley Vineyard acreage: 10,000

Wineries

Korbel Champagne Cellars,
Guernville,
707-887-2294

De Loach Vineyards,
Santa Rosa,
707-526-9111