Sonoma Carneros Climate
The Climate of Sonoma Carneros
The Sonoma side of Carneros is generally much flatter and does not have the heat retaining hills that Napa does. Constant winds sweep into this unprotected region from the San Pablo Bay. This causes vineyards to shut down metabolically, keeping acidity high and sugars low.
Rainfall is not very abundant, and many of the region’s vines rely on irrigation. Pinot Noir from the AVA is generally more full bodied than those from the cooler Anderson Valley, Sonoma Coast, and Green Valley.