Alexander Valley Wines

Alexander Valley is located in the northeast corner of Sonoma. It has a warm climate, tempered by Pacific air funnelled in from the Petaluma Gap and Russian River Valley to the south. Winemakers take advantage of the region's micro-climates, with vineyards on the valley floor, west/southwest facing slopes and the benchlands of the Mayacamas Mountains. The aspect and altitude of these higher elevation vineyards receive extra sunshine, leading to ripe grapes that are high in colour and tannins.

Cabernet Sauvignon is the most planted grape and produces full-bodied wines with ripe flavours of blackberry, blackcurrant, dried herbs and chocolate. Wines from the valley floor tare lighter in style, whereas those from grapes on the slopes and benchlands tend to be more structured and concentrated. There are also notable plantings of Chardonnay, Merlot, Zinfandel, Petit Verdot and Malbec. Kendall-Jackson and Seghesio are perhaps the best known producers here.