![]() ![]() Healdsburg, with it’s crossroads position at the Russian River, Highway 101, and neighboring Dry Creek Valley is an ideal place to set up base camp for your two days of venturing among the vines. Two days is necessary to get in some must-visits while allowing some time for picnicking, hiking, biking and nibbling your way around some of the amazing artisanal food producers. With so many wineries on and off the beaten track we recommend having a plan to tackle a Russian River Zinfandel expedition. Russian River Valley earned its AVA status in 1983 and is now home to over 70 wineries. “The river’s reputation ends where the sea begins.” Russian Proverb It’s fairly common now to see Russian River wineries producing all three varietals – and at the very tops of their categories! In more recent times, along with old vines Zinfandel, the Russian River Valley has proven to be ideal conditions for the grape varieties of Burgundy – Pinot noir and Chardonnay. Remarkably, many of the historic Zinfandel vineyards still exist, their longevity due to their inherent health, wine quality and family traditions. Early farmers found this fertile and cool region to be ideal for hops, apple orchards and vineyards – especially Zinfandel. From an agricultural view, the Russian River Valley acts as a sort of coastal fog funnel, where the marine layer caused by cold air from the ocean meeting land flows in and out of the valley on a daily basis during the growing season. The Russian River is a major geographical feature and vital water source in Sonoma County that runs northeast to west and spills into the Pacific at Jenner. On the Sonoma coast Fort Ross was a thriving Russian colony that has been preserved as a historical landmark. Helena that looms above Sonoma, Napa, and Lake Counties is named for a Russian princess. ![]() Yes, Russians explored the coast of Northern California in the 1700’s and 1800’s and even established a colony above Bodega Bay. ![]()
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