Rather like a heart in its shape, roughly 15 miles wide and tall, the AVA occupies a “sweet spot” that’s cool, but not too cold. Then the river makes an abrupt left at Healdsburg and cuts west through rugged terrain all the way to the Pacific Ocean. The Russian River Valley AVA does not strictly outline the path of the Russian River, which flows from Mendocino County south-by-southeast through Alexander Valley. It is recorded that the region produced in excess of 500,000 gallons of wine, with about 7,000 vine acres planted. The migration of subsequent settlers, many from wine-producing European countries, continued to develop this initial viticultural venture, establishing the foundation for what would become a flourishing industry within the Russian River Valley.īy 1876 viticulture was well established in the Russian River Valley. The Russians eventually abandoned their foothold in Northern California around 1841. Although we don’t know exactly when the Russians first planted grape vines or if wine was actually produced from these plantings, we now believe those early plantings at Fort Ross were the first in Sonoma County. Wine grapes planted at Fort Ross on the Sonoma coast, and subsequent vineyards started by the settlers throughout Sonoma County, took place well before the Gold Rush of 1849. Outposts were established in the areas of Sebastopol, Graton and Freestone. Agriculture, including viticulture, was a primary goal of these endeavors and the fertile soils of the Russian River Valley provided a region apt for farming and sustaining their outposts.ĭuring the 1830’s, the Russian settlers ventured southeast from Fort Ross in search of more temperate agricultural regions. They found this region optimal to hunt sea otters for their furs providing food and staples for Russian colonies in Alaska. The Russians, who settled along the Sonoma Coast at historic Fort Ross from 1812 to 1841, left a significant impact on the area. The valley is named for the first non-natives to settle in Sonoma County.
0 kommentar(er)
