Bennett Valley Climate & Grape Growing
The Climate of Bennett Valley Vineyards
Bennett Valley is surrounded by mountain ridges, and encompasses the Matanzas Creek watershed. Each night, cool air from the surrounding hillsides settles on the valley floor. This often includes fog, which does not burn off until the late morning the following day.
Crane Canyon is located to the southwest of the AVA. Cool air enters Bennett Valley from the Petaluma Gap and ultimately the Pacific Ocean. Rainfall is higher in the region than surrounding AVAs.
Eastern parts of Sonoma Mountain are much warmer than Bennett Valley, which is to the northwest. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah are the most successful grapes in the AVA.
