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The Napa Valley AVA now joins the ONLINE ranks with The Mendocino County AVA and The Sierra Foothills AVA pages! Click on the links in the navigation bar to visit those pages. Explore Sauvignon Blanc |
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This page is all about Sauvignon Blanc, also known as Fume Blanc. This is a bright refreshing wine of which there are two varieties. One is a sweet dessert type wine often known as Sauternes and a drier variety. The classic flavors are described as herbal with lemon-grass character which is typical of the Sauvignon Blanc grown in cooler regions of California. Warmer regions of California create flavors and aromas of, lime, tropical fruits, melon and grapefruit and sometimes flavors of apricots or peaches. The aromas, depending on whether it has been barrel aged, can be minerally, toasty oak, vanilla or even creamy along with the aromas of the fruits and herbs described above. Sauvignon Blanc has high acidity contributing to its strong tartness in both the sweet and the dry varieties.
Sauvignon Blanc and Food Pairing
Sauvignon Blanc also demonstrates versatility with the kinds of foods it compliments. Pair dry Sauvignon Blanc with smoked cheeses, cilantro, bell peppers, tomatoes and garlic. It pairs well with spicy foods as well as seafood. The sweeter variety is generally used as a dessert wine. This white wine has good aging potential.
Terroir
Sauvignon Blanc is very influenced by its terroir and demonstrates versatility in its growing range. Warmer regions bring out tropical fruit and melon character while herbal/grassy characteristics are more common in the cooler regions. The grape also picks up the distinct mineral characterstics from the soils where it is grown.
Make sure you look through this whole page to see Sauvignon Blanc's diverse growing range. Each area is a tour of its own and each offers unique highlights of its own. For more information about the regions where Sauvignon Blanc is produced, click on the regional names in the navigation bar on the left. That will take you to There will be more information about this to come but keep in mind that if you like more fruity wines then look for Sauvignon Blanc from the warmer regions of California: Central Valley, Sierra Foothills, areas of Sonoma and Napa. Sauvignon Blanc from the Coastal regions or the Russian River will be somewhat more herbal. Specific terroir information will be provided for each AVA listed in the navigation bar on the left.
These pages will provide the tools for you to put together your own self guided tour to learn about and experience Sauvignon Blanc in California. Your exploration can focus on one region or follow a route to sample the highlights of several. Find links in the navigation bar to the left to move back and forth between California AVA regions which are listed in the tables below. Those will take you to pages that list all of the sub AVAs with lists of wineries and links to additional information about food, lodging and area highlights. Stay tuned as, over time, we will provide additional first hand information to give you more finely honed information for your own use.
A Little History
Sauvignon Blanc/Fume Blanc is one of the "noble grapes" which is a French reference to the 6 grape varieties (Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot) that produce world class wines. The term is somewhat defunct as other grape varietals have grown on a world wide scale. The grapes were brought to California from Bordeaux and the Loir Valley in France in the 1870's. DNA testing has identified Cabernet Sauvignon as being descended from the union of Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc.
California American Viticultural Areas (AVAs)
American Viticultural Areas are unique, legally designated grape growing areas that are defined by the ATF. These regions are most often defined by their topography, soil types, climate and sometimes historical relevance. Each of the AVAs and sub AVAs impart unique characteristics to the Sauvignon Blanc according to the terroir of the region.
| North Coast | Mendocino County, Lake County, Sonoma County, Napa Valley, Marin County and Solono County |
| Sierra Foothills | North Yuba, El Dorado, Fair Play, CA Shenandoah Valley, Fiddletown |
| Inland | Yolo County, Madera County, Sacramento County, |
| Delta | San Joaquin County, Siskiyou County, Stanislaus County |
| Central Coast | Alameda, Contra Costa, Monterey, San Benito, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara Santa Cruz |
| South Coast | Los Angeles County, Riverside & San Bernardino, San Diego County |
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The Mendocino County AVA is located in the California North Coast American Viticultural Area (AVA). This is a spectacular region that includes the high, rocky, Pacific Ocean wave pounded bluffs in the west and the Coastal Ranges which form the eastern border of the County. Mendocino County is where the San Andreas fault veers off into the ocean. Most of the wine grapes are grown in the Coastal Ranges where the vineyards are sheltered in the interior valleys that protect the warmth loving Sauvignon Blanc from cool ocean breezes. There are 56 wineries in Mendocino County and 250 growers. This is a very beautiful and interesting region and well worth the trek to explore. In the pages under development, we hope to provide information to help you to narrow your focus in this large area.
The Mendocino County AVA Sauvignon Blanc page is NOW ONLINE! Click on the logo to go to the Mendocino Sauvignon Blanc page for detailed information about each sub-AVA including lists of wineries. There are additional links to food and lodging opportunities in Mendocino County.
Mendocino County AVA Sauvignon Blanc has mineral aromas with kiwi and lemon frangrances. The Flavors are tropical with pineapple, mango and lemon. The wines have bright acidity and a long finish.
| Mendocino | Mendocino Ridge |
| Anderson Valley | Redwood Valley |
| Potter Valley | Cole Ranch |
| McDowell Valley | Yorkville Highlands |
| Dos Rios |
The Lake County AVA surrounds Clear Lake, California's biggest natural lake. Lake County is next door to and east of Mendocino. This is a growing viticultural area. There are fourteen wineries that produce mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc. Topographically, the elevation is between 1,370 feet at the valley floor and the 2,000 foot extinct volcano, Mount Konocti. The soil is rich alluvial sediment in the valley and red volcanic soil is found at the higher elevations.
Lake County AVA Sauvignon Blanc are crisp with dried chamomile herb character and plenty of tropical fruit: pineapple and guava along with honeydew melon and lemon lime fruit.
The pages about these locations are under development.
| Benmore Valley | Clear Lake |
| Guenoc Valley | High Valley |
| Red Hills-California |
The Sonoma County AVA is located in the California North Coast American Viticultural Area (AVA). Sonoma is Mendocino's southern neighbor and it is west of Napa. Like Mendocino, Sonoma's western border is formed by the rugged, Pacific Ocean wave pounded bluffs. The Mayacamas Mountain Ranges are Sonoma's eastern border. Coastal regions are cooled by the cold waters and breezes from the Pacific Ocean. Inland, the days are warm but the nights are cooled as breezes and fog from the ocean filter through the Petaluma Gap and Russian River. Route 12 runs the length of the Valley from Santa Rosa to Glen Ellen.
The most widely planted grape varietals in Sonoma are Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel and others. There are 260 wineries in the County.
Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc tends to be classic with mineral and herbal lemon-grass character and grapefruit and honeydew melon followed by a hint of white pepper spice.
Please check back since the Sonoma County AVA is in the works and will be available soon!!!
| Alexander Valley | Chalk Hill |
| Dry Creek | Knights Valley |
| Los Carneros | Northern Sonoma |
| Russian River Valley | Sonoma Coast |
| Sonoma Green Valley | Sonoma Mountain |
| Sonoma Valley |
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The Napa Valley AVA, next door to Sonoma County, is the next stop on our journey south in the California North Coast American Viticultural Area (AVA). The region is nestled between the Mayacamas Mountains to the west and the Vaca mountains in the east. The 4,343 foot Mt. St. Helena and the town of Calistoga mark its northern border. Surprisingly, this northern region of Napa this is the warmest because it is sheltered from ocean influences. South, is the city of Napa and San Pablo Bay which connects to San Francisco Bay. The bays are conduits for cool air that moderates the temperatures in this southern portion of Napa. Evenings and mornings bring fog that filters its way from the ocean, through the bays up to the furthest reaches of the valley.
This is a 30 mile stretch of complicated geologic history as over millions of years, tectonic plates collided causing volcanic activity spewing lava and ash. During that time ocean levels rose and fell and water infiltrated from the bays to lay down layers of ocean soils. This has contributed to more than 30 different soils making up the ground of Napa. Once again, terroir is created by the variety of soils and combined with the numerous microclimates. These contribute to the success of just about any varietal of grape in Napa, among them is Sauvignon Blanc.
There are more than 400 wineries in Napa Valley. This is an exceedingly diverse area and there are several little known regions that are well worth the effort to explore.We will highlight the Napa regions where Sauvignon Blanc flourishes. General Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc has aromas of papaya, lime and orange blossoms with flavors of mango, pineapple, peaches and a hint of ginger spice.
| Atlas Peak | Chiles Valley |
| Howell Mountain | Los Carneros |
| Mt. Veeder | Napa Valley |
| Oakville | Rutherford |
| St. Helena | Spring Mountain |
| Stags Leap | Wild Horse Valley |
| Yountville |
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The Sierra Foothills AVA is on the Western slopes of the Sierra Nevada. There are 5 sub-AVAs (listed below) that make up the Foothills. The vineyards in the Sierra Foothills are relatively remote and are found at elevations between 1,200 to 3,600 feet above sea level which is well above the fog line. This makes for long, sunny summer days. The soils from 1,200 to about 2,000 foot levels are made of decomposed granite and at elevations above the 3,000 foot level there is crushed volcanic rock. Both soil types provide good drainage but lack many nutrients. So what's this about nutrients? Aren't they good? Grape vines tend to restrict the amount of grapes they produce when nutrients are sparse. The result is that those grapes end up with a greater concentration of those desirable characteristics--meaning better wine! The Sierra Foothills Sauvignon Blanc page provides more information about the unique qualities of this region's Sauvignon Blanc. You will find hints about food pairings, lists of wineries and links to associations and Chambers of Commerce for more information about restaurants, lodging and local highlights.
The Sierra Foothils AVA is not great Sauvignon Blanc territory although microclimates do provide prime spots for the grape. The aromas are distinctly mineral with melon, orange and anise. Apple is the dominant flavor followed by ginger spice and a hint of sweetness. This wine is commonly called Fume Blanc in the Sierra Foothills.
| North Yuba | El Dorado |
| Fair Play | Fiddletown |
| CA Shenandoah Valley |
The Inland region is not an AVA but it is a region located east of San Francisco Bay and the Coastal Ranges and west of the Sierra Nevada Foothills. The town of Red Bluff is on the northern end and Sacramento, the state capital, marks the southern border. This 120 mile long valley is protected from ocean breezes and fogs by the Coastal Ranges. Chardonnay and Zinfandel are the most widely grown grapes. Many of the sub-AVAs in this region are one vineyard enterprises so they have been grouped together under the county heading.
Stay tuned for more information about these regions including lists of wineries and specific terroir information per AVA as well as links for area food, lodging and points of interest.
| Yolo County | Madera County |
| Sacramento County |
The Delta region is not an AVA but we have collected the following counties geographically into this category. This is an area that contains some of the most fertile soils in the world. The Delta region is located east of San Francisco Bay and the Coastal Ranges and west of the Sierra Nevada Foothills in the west. The San Joaquin Valley is cooled by ocean breezes and fogs filtering through the San Francisco and San Pablo Bays. Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are the most widely grown grapes.
Stay tuned for information about these sub-AVAs.
| San Joaquin County | Siskiyou County |
| Stanislaus County |
The Bay Area AVA is marked by great diversity in geography and microclimates influenced by mountains, by the ocean and by valleys. Each region produces equal diversity in the character of the wines. The upper elevations of of the Santa Cruz Mountains, combined with the cool ocean breezes create dense, spicy fruitful wines. Valley regions have climates moderated by ocean fog that is blown into them.
Stay tuned for information about these sub-AVAs.
| Ben Lamond Mountain | Livermore |
| San Francisco Bay | San Ysidro District |
| Santa Clara Valley | Santa Cruz Mountains |
The Central Coast AVA is one of the largest and stretches from San Francisco County south to Santa Barbara County. That is 250 miles long and 25 miles wide. This region mostly features Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir all of which favor the cooling influence of the Pacific Ocean, San Francisco Bay and Monterey Bay. Paso Robles is distinct within the region being 20 miles inland which allows for warm days but the topography brings ocean filtered air to cool the nights. This is an area of diverse topography creating the magical microclimates that allow for a diversity of varietals to thrive.
These pages will be available soon.
| Alameda | Contra Costa |
| Monterey | San Benito |
| San Francisco | San Luis Obispo |
| San Mateo | Santa Barbara |
| Santa Clara | Santa Cruz |
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