Rockpile

As its name might suggest, the northern Sonoma County appellation, Rockpile, has the type of gravelly, well draining soil that grape vines love. Above Lake Sonoma and butting up against the Mendocino County border, Rockpile is a remote Sonoma County appellation. Like its neighbor to the southeast, Dry Creek Valley, Rockpile is known for its excellent Zinfandel grapes. Perched on the dry and rugged ridgelines above Lake Sonoma Recreational Area, Rockpile Appellation is positioned above the fog line that influences other Sonoma AVAs.

Italian immigrants have been growing grapes in this area of the California wine country since 1872. However, until recently the Rockpile appellation was a part of Sonoma county, largely overlooked and under developed. In 2002 Rockpile separated from Dry Creek Valley to become it's own AVA. Zinfandel may be the most widely know varietal from the Rockpile region, but Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Petite Sirah also thrive in this area producing intensely flavored red wines with great concentration and balance.

Legend has it that the appellation's unusual name comes from the Rockpile Ranch, where Sheriff Tennessee Bishop would put prisoners to work building roads to his mountain home. It was the men on the chain gang who allegedly dubbed the place "Rockpile."