Knights Valley AVA

Infobox Wine Region
name = Knights Valley AVA


caption =
official name =
other name =
type = American Viticultural Area
year = 1983 [http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr;sid=bff700d0bbb2a632948b70fe7e91d7d4;rgn=div5;view=text;node=27%3A1.0.1.1.7;idno=27;cc=ecfr#27:1.0.1.1.7.3.41.56 Code of Federal Regulations. "§ 9.76 Knights Valley."] Title 27: Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; Part 9 — American Viticultural Areas; Subpart C — Approved American Viticultural Areas. Retrieved Jan. 4, 2008.]
wine years =
country = USA
part of = California, North Coast AVA, Northern Sonoma AVA, Sonoma County
similar =
sub regions =
season =
climate region =
heat units =
precipitation =
soil =
total size = convert|37000|acre|km2|0
planted = convert|2000|acre|km2|0Appellation America (2007). [http://wine.appellationamerica.com/wine-region/Knights-Valley.html "Knights Valley (AVA): Appellation Description"] . Retrieved Jan. 4, 2008.]
vineyards = over 30
grapes = Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Malbec, Merlot,Mourvedre, Petit Verdot, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Syrah, Tinta Cao, Zinfandel
varietals =
wineries =
wine produced =
designation =
comments =

Knights Valley AVA is an American Viticultural Area in Sonoma County, California. One of Sonoma County's original five American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), Knights Valley AVA was formally designated an American Viticultural Area on October 21, 1983. Knights Valley AVA includes approximately convert|37000|acre|km2|0. Over 30 growers maintain the convert|2000|acre|km2|0 planted to wine grape vineyards. The easternmost designated Sonoma County wine region, Knights Valley AVA has the warmest climate in the county. The valley lies between the Alexander Valley AVA and Chalk Hill AVA wine regions to the west and the Mayacamas Mountains to the east. Geographically, the appellation separates the rest of Sonoma County from the Napa Valley AVA.

Climate

Protected from direct Pacific Ocean influence, the valley is the warmest of Sonoma County's viticulture areas. Warm afternoons and cool evenings provide the ideal environment for growing Bordeaux grape varieties. Cabernet Sauvignon remains the star in the valley. Also present are the rest of the Meritage blend: Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot, as well as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier, Syrah, and some limited plantings of other varietals.

Wineries

Several wineries produce wine with the Knights Valley AVA designation. The two largest producers of Knights Valley AVA designated wines are Beringer Vineyards and Kendall Jackson Winery (under its Highland Estates label).

References

External links

* [http://www.sonomagrapevine.org/ava_map.html Sonoma County Wine Regions (map)]