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The Russian River Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA) was established in 1983 and is one of the largest in Sonoma County. Famous for early-ripening varietals, such as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the region has a fog-cooled climate and well-drained soils. Chardonnay is the region's most widely grown variety. It is planted on more than two-thirds of the appellation's 12,000 vineyard acres. Today the number of acres in the Russian River Valley devoted to Pinot Noir is increasing faster than any other variety. The Russian River Valley's cool climate makes the area one of a handful of places in the world where first-class Pinot Noir can be grown.
The AVA's boundaries roughly follow a low-lying plain extending
south and west of Healdsburg, following the Russian River toward
the Pacific Ocean. The Guerneville coastal hills mark its western
boundary. Our 42-acre Quail
Hill Vineyard is located in the
Laguna Ridge area of the appellation, one of three distinctive
regions in the valley.
The Quail Hill Vineyard is blessed with Sebastopol Sandy Loam soil, regarded as the best for growing Pinot Noir. In general, the soils of the Russian River Valley are well drained, as a result of the high percentage of degraded sandstone and shale in the soil, or due to gravel underlays beneath the soil. Drainage encourages extensive root development and less vigorous vine growth, which gently stresses the vines to concentrate flavor in the grapes.
The appellation has more than 50 wineries, 200 growers, and an estimated 12,000 planted vineyard acres.
Some of the information above was provided by the Russian River Winegrowers Association. Lynmar Winery is a proud member of this association and encourages readers to learn more about our winegrowing region. For more information about our appellation, and the region, please visit the following websites:
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