Northern Sonoma AVA

{{Short description|American Viticultural Area in Sonoma County, California}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}

{{Infobox Wine Region

| name = Northern Sonoma

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| type = American Viticultural Area

| year = 1985{{cite journal|url=https://www.ttb.gov/media/68962/download?inline | journal=Federal Register | title=Establishment of the Northern Sonoma Viticultural Area | publisher=Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury| format=27 CFR 9 [T.D. ATF-204; Re: Notice No. 472] Final Rule |volume=50|issue=96| pages=20560-20562 |date=1985-05-17}}{{PD-notice}}
1986 Amended{{cite journal|url=https://www.ttb.gov/media/68957/download?inline | journal=Federal Register | title=Revision and Realignment of the Boundaries of Alexander Valley and Northern Sonoma Viticultural Areas| publisher=Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury| format=27 CFR 9 [T.D. ATF-233; Re: Notice No. 591, T.D. ATF-187/204] Final Rule |volume=51|issue=165| pages=30352-30356|date=1986-08-26}}{{PD-notice}}
1990 Amended{{cite journal|url=https://www.ttb.gov/media/68959/download?inline| journal=Federal Register | title=Realignment of the Eastern Boundary of the Alexander Valley Viticultural Area and the Northeastern Boundary of the Northern Sonoma Viticultural Area (88F-120P)| publisher=Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury| format=27 CFR 9 [T.D. ATF-300 Re; Notice No. 694] RIN 1512-AA07 Final Rule |volume=55|issue=154| pages=32400-32403|date=1990-08-09}}{{PD-notice}}
2011 Expand{{cite journal|url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2011-11-16/pdf/2011-29519.pdf|journal=Federal Register|title=Expansions of the Russian River Valley and Northern Sonoma Viticultural Areas|publisher=Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Treasury |format=27 CFR Part 9 [Docket No. TTB–2008–0009; T.D. TTB–97; Re: Notice Nos. 90 and 91] RIN 1513–AB57 Final Rule |volume=76|issue=221|pages=70866-70878|date=2011-11-16}}{{PD-notice}}

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| country = United States

| part of = California, North Coast AVA, Sonoma County

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| sub regions = Alexander Valley AVA, Chalk Hill AVA, Dry Creek Valley AVA, Green Valley of Russian River Valley AVA, Knights Valley AVA, Rockpile AVA, Russian River Valley AVA, Sonoma Coast AVA,

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| total size = {{cvt|329000|acre|sqmi|0}}
2011:{{cvt|373244|acre|sqmi|0}}

| planted = {{cvt|26000|acre}}

| vineyards = 72

| grapes = Chardonnay{{cite web |website=Appellation America|date=2007 | url=http://wine.appellationamerica.com/wine-region/Northern-Sonoma.html |title=Northern Sonoma (AVA): Appellation Description|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204013122/http://wine.appellationamerica.com/wine-region/Northern-Sonoma.html |archivedate=2009-02-04 |accessdate=January 4, 2008}}

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Northern Sonoma is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in Sonoma County, California. The appellation covers most of the county with the notable exceptions of the Los Carneros AVA, Petaluma Gap AVA and Sonoma Valley AVA wine regions, which are located in the southern portion of the county. It was established on May 16, 1985 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after reviewing the petition proposing the viticultural area named "Northern Sonoma."{{cite web |title=Petition To Establish A New American Viticultural Area to Be Named Northern Sonoma |url=https://www.ttb.gov/media/68963/download?inline | website=TTB.gov|publisher=E & J Gallo Winery |date=1982-09-28}}{{PD-notice}} The creation of the Northern Sonoma AVA was largely based on the petitioning of the E & J Gallo Winery as part of their expansion of their Gallo of Sonoma brand. The viticultural area entirely encompasses Alexander Valley AVA, Chalk Hill AVA, Dry Creek Valley AVA, Knights Valley AVA, Russian River Valley AVA, Sonoma Coast AVA appellations,and portions of the Green Valley of Russian River Valley AVA and Rockpile AVA.

The majority of the grape varieties grown in Sonoma County are grown in Northern Sonoma AVA, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon blanc, Chardonnay, and Zinfandel. Zinfandel is more commonly grown in the Rockpile and Dry Creek Valleys.{{cite web|author=Selinger, Hannah|url=https://www.wineenthusiast.com/basics/beginner-guide-sonoma-wine/|title=Diverse Soils and Coastal Winds: The Ultimate Guide to Sonoma|website=Wine Enthusiast|date=6 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801182442/https://www.wineenthusiast.com/basics/beginner-guide-sonoma-wine/ |archive-date=2023-08-01 |url-status=live|access-date=17 August 2021}} Gallo Family Vineyards are known for their Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay while Rodney Strong Vineyards is known for its Zinfandel and Sauvignon blanc. Bacigalupi Vineyards, situated in the Russian River Valley, are known for their Chardonnay.{{cite web|url=https://www.sonomacounty.com/articles/northern-sonoma-wine-region-and-appellation|title=Northern Sonoma Wine Region and Appellation|publisher=Sonomacounty.com|accessdate=17 August 2021}}