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Our Viticultural Region -- Appellation See also our Good Neighbor policy and Our Vineyard Year The term "appellation" is French and refers to a
viticultural region that, by virtue of its similar geographical features and
climate, produces wines with similar characteristics. This implies
Appellations in California are called "American Viticultural Areas" or AVAs. Wines carrying a label identifying its AVA must contain a minimum of 85% grapes from that AVA. Some Napa and Sonoma wines today do contain Sierra Foothills grapes, to add complexity to their wines, but in quantities that allow them to retain their Sonoma or Napa appellation.
The Sierra Foothills appellation stretches from Yuba County in the north to Mariposa County in the south on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada. It is described as an exciting and up-and-coming appellation. Yet vineyards were first planted here during the goldrush days. This whole area is mostly known for its ripe, chocolately Zinfandels. But today many other varietals are successfully grown here.
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that
the influence of soil, climate, sun, water quality, and landscape -- what the
French call "terroir" -- produce a style of wine
that cannot be exactly duplicated elsewhere. An appellation area can range
from very small plots of land to huge areas that cover hundreds of miles.