Davis Family Vineyards 2019 Pinot Noir, Green Valley

Green Valley is one of the smallest appellations in Sonoma County. It lies in the southwestern part of the Russian River Valley, bounded by the towns of Sebastopol, Forestville, and Occidental. It is very tightly delineated, both geographically and climatically, and is the most consistent of any North Coast appellation in terms of soil, climate and flavor.

The fog is Green Valley’s trademark. Most of the fog originates at the Petaluma Wind Gap in the coastal mountains. Because of its proximity to this gap, Green Valley typically experiences cooler morning temperatures for a longer period of time than do the northern parts of the Russian River. Green Valley is the first place where the fog comes in and the last place where it burns off, making it the coolest, foggiest part of the Russian River Valley.

The predominant soil type (60%) of this American Viticultural Area (AVA) is Goldridge soil, a fine sandy loam. It is derived from the remains of an ancient inland sea that slowly emptied into the Pacific three to five million years ago. It is particularly valuable for grape production because of its excellent drainage and low soil fertility. There is a wonderful cohesiveness among the Green Valley wineries; their wines share a distinctive flair.