Dry Creek Valley
Dry Creek Wine Country
Dry Creek wineries are world renowned for Zinfandel production. Because Dry Creek Wineries produce this grape in so many different styles, touring can be quite an educational experience. Well-known producers include Lake Sonoma Winery, Ferrari Carano, and Simi Winery.
Dry Creek Valley’s climate is generally warm, but there are some important distinctions that can be made between the wine region’s microclimates. The southern part of Dry Creek Wine Country is located near the Russian River, and can be quite foggy and cool, especially in the morning. Chardonnay and other cool-weather grapes do well here. Moving north, temperatures steadily rise, and fuller-bodied red grapes like Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah begin to dominate the vineyards. These varietals are what Dry Creek Wineries are known for.
The diverse terrain
of Dry Creek Wine Country supports many different grapes. Probably the most prized vineyard land is a geologic phenomenon called the Dry Creek Conglomerate. Similar to the Rutherford Bench, the Dry Creek Conglomerate is located along the base of the valley walls and is made of extremely well-drained, alluvial soils that have eroded from the hills over the millennia. Some of the region’s oldest Zinfandel vineyards are planted on the Dry Creek Conglomerate.
The history of wine production in Dry Creek Valley dates back to the 1870s. Italian immigrants were the first to cultivate grapes in this wine region. They planted several hillside Zinfandel vineyards that are still producing wine today. When touring Dry Creek Wineries, one is struck by the large number of ancient vineyards that look more like small trees than vines.
A Few Popular Dry Creek Wineries
- Puccioni Vineyards
- Fritz Winery
- Dry Creek Vineyard
- Everett Ridge Vineyards & Winery
- Quivira Vineyards
- Rafanelli Winery
Sonoma Wine Tours
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