North Coast (AVA)
  Sign In
Subscribe to our newsletter
Bookmark and Share  


While California has more than 80 AVAs, some of them so small they are scarcely more than single vineyards, the vast North Coast region must be weighed on a different scale. This all encompassing appellation takes in all the counties north of San Francisco: Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, Sonoma, and Solano. Despite its gargantuan size of over three million acres, the North Coast AVA is generally influenced by a couple of key ecological factors, with the most significant climatic feature being the cool coastal air and fog from the Pacific Ocean. This creates temperatures that are consistently cooler with higher annual rainfall than in the hot and dry Central Valley. These are the conditions that favor production of premium grapes, like Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc. Ecology aside, the primary utility of "North Coast", as an AVA, is projecting a premium image in the marketing of high volume varietal brands, necessarily sourced and blended from far-flung vineyards.

Current Feature

In the southern Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and Georgia vineyards are small and few, yet the establishment of the Upper Hiwassee Highlands could bring much more.  [>] continue


Related Features


 

Alive & Well here


Cabernet Sauvignon: All hail the King! But a king doth not a gentleman make. A temperamental prince in youth, you’re  [>] continue

Recommendations

Quick Finds

Q: What are the most recognized grapes grown here?
Q: What wines are produced here?

The AppellationAmerica database identifies 109 wines labeled with the North Coast designation.

[>] see the complete North Coast Wine List.
Q: What wineries are based here ?
Q: What other wineries source fruit here ?
Q: What are the overlapping appellations ?

Search the North Coast Wine List

 
select wine style:
select grape:
 

Featured Wines

WineSmith 2008 Pennyfarthing Pinot Noir The delightful flavors may remind one of chocolate–dipped strawberries filled with a cherry vanilla cream.
buy wine $15.00


Clif Family Winery and Farm 2007 The Climber White Delightful aromas of passion fruit, grapefruit and honeysuckle lead to layers of citrus, nectarine and peach flavors. The result is a full flavored, crisp wine with good balance and acidity and a lingering finish.
buy wine $14.00

Buy North Coast wines
directly from these wineries

Advertisement



    Help us improve travel information to your favorite region...



Winery Sponsors

Winery sponsors of Appellation America’s coverage of the North Coast appellation.