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Arrowood wines are crafted from grapes grown exclusively in prestigious vineyards throughout Sonoma County's many sub-appellations. Each sub-appellation contributes a unique character to the grapes that represent the soils and climate of that region.
Sonoma Valley Generally regarded as the birthplace of California Viticulture, Sonoma Valley vineyards were planted as early as 1825 by Spanish mission fathers. Today, approximately 13,000 acres of vineyards in Sonoma Valley occupy areas encompassing a broad gamut of topography, soil and climate. The climate of the Valley is fairly cool in the winter and can become quite warm in the summer months. The Sonoma Mountains protect the rest of the Valley from direct fog from the Pacific Ocean, and can become quite warm in the summer. Russian River Russian River is one of the largest viticultural areas in Sonoma County, and supplies a large portion of the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay crushed by the sparkling wineries. Its predominant feature is its climate -- heavy rainfall and cool temperatures with frequent summer morning fog. Its geography is variable, running from heavier soil vineyards along the Russian River, up into the eastern hills of the Chalk Hill area, and into the western hills towards the coast. Most of the vineyards are in bench and bottom lands with predominantly but not exclusively white grapes. Dry Creek Most of the grapes grown in the Dry Creek viticultural area are produced in this valley because it has fertile, well-drained soils and morning fog, creating a climate that produces Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. On the hillside of Dry Creek Valley, red soils predominate and weather is warmer because the hills come under less fog influence. Dry Creek is an historical area for vineyards; grapes, particularly Zinfandel, have been planted there for a hundred years. Alexander Valley Historically, the Alexander Valley, part of the great Russian River Valley, has been rich in agriculture. The soil types are generally in the loam, gravelly loam and gravelly sandy loam category. The yields tend to be high and vines vigorous. The change in elevation from the upper to the lower end of the valley is only fifty feet. Summer fog flows into it from the Santa Rosa Plain cooling the area, which has a great effect on growing conditions. Knights Valley The valley takes its name from Thomas Knight, who arrived from Maine in 1845 to seek his fortune and became a farmer instead. Wine growing began here in the 1870s. The climate is moderated by its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, its isolation from a large valley and its low mountain elevation. The soils are characterized by low fertility; many are rocky and gravelly, and others exhibit low pH. The dominant variety planted is Cabernet Sauvignon followed by Sauvignon Blanc. Sonoma-Carneros Carneros is on the San Pablo Bay, at the base of Napa and Sonoma Counties, and is heavily influenced by the Bay with both fog and wind. It is generally cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter than the Napa or Sonoma valleys. Primary grape varieties here are Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Carneros has shallow, well-drained soil types. Viticulturally, grapes have a lower chance of developing bunch rot because of the wind blowing and drying off any rain or moisture. Winemakers feel they tend to ripen at lower sugars. |
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 History | The Winemaster |
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| Arrowood > Inside Arrowood > Region/Climate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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