CALIFORNIA WINE CENTRAL
North of Napa and Sonoma
By Liza B. Zimmerman
T
he entire North Coast American Viticultural
Area (AVA) in California covers more than
three million acres and officially includes Napa,
Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake Counties, as well as portions of Marin and Solano Counties, according to the
San Francisco-based Wine Institute (WI). The region
has been a winemaking hub since the mid-19th century.
While Napa and Sonoma are by far the best-known
regions in the area, smaller AVAs such as Mendocino
and Lake County are also making elegant, cool climate
wines at competitive price points. Diversity of wine
offerings — both single varietal, blends and sparkling
wine — including value and small-volume production
are all part of what makes these Northern California
growing areas unique.
Mendocino is home to more than 90 wineries and 10
AVAs, according to WI and the Ft. Bragg-based Visit
California's northern
regions produce a
wide range of cool
climate wines.
Mendocino County. Much of its production is focused on
chardonnay, pinot noir and approximately 25% of the
region's total vineyard acreage is certified organic, according
to WI. Lake County's most planted grape is cabernet
View of Lazy Creek Vineyards in the Anderson
Valley AVA with pinot noir in the foreground.
Introducing A Retail Guide to California Wine
everage Dynamics is happy to
announce a new supplement
for 2013: California Wine
Central.
In each issue this year, you'll
find overviews of California's distinct wine regions, complete with
information about the grapes and
brands within that geographic area.
B
These snapshots will provide details
that can help you sell more
California wine to your customers.
Plus, you'll have access to a
wealth
of
knowledge
at
www.CAWineCentral.com, our
new source for all things
California wine. Throughout the
year, you'll find images, videos,
12 • Beverage Dynamics • www.beveragedynamics.com • January/February 2013
podcasts, exclusive feature stories,
and proprietary data from The
Beverage Information Group, our
parent company.
Please visit the new site, check
out the exclusive digital content,
"like" our California Wine
Facebook page, and tell us what you
think of the supplement.
