Location
Up The Creek Vineyard, located at 2740 River Road, is located within the Sonoma Coast AVA and Russian River Valley AVA.
Close to:
Martinelli Vineyards & Winery | 1.2 mi away
Croix Estate Winery | 1.5 mi away
Hook & Ladder Vineyards & Winery | 2.5 mi away
Vinarosa Resort & Spa | 2.6 mi away
Charles M. Schulz – Sonoma County Airport | 2.9 mi away*
Kendall Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens | 2.9 mi away
La Crema | 3.0 mi away
Benovia Winery | 4.9 mi away
Downtown Santa Rosa | 7.9 mi away
Sebastopol | 9.1 mi away
Healdsburg Plaza | 12.0 mi away
Sonoma Square | 29.1 mi away
Downtown Napa | 47 mi away
SONOMA COAST AVA
AN ACCLAIMED REGION
The Sonoma Coast American Viticulture Area (AVA) stands out as one of Sonoma County’s most intriguing and diverse wine regions. Stretching from the rugged, wind-swept northern coastline to the gently rolling hills in the southern dairying areas, it encompasses a broad geographic range.
AVA designations, established by the Treasury Department’s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, identify distinctive winegrowing regions with unique characteristics. These designations help winemakers accurately convey the origin of their wines while guiding consumers in their selections. The Sonoma Coast earned its AVA status in 1987.
This appellation is home to many of Sonoma County’s most acclaimed Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vineyards. Yet, relatively few wines are labeled specifically as Sonoma Coast AVA, and several notable sub-regions remain unofficial.
Nonetheless, there is no question that some of California’s highest-rated and most sought-after cool-climate wines come from this AVA. The region includes roughly 2,000 acres of vineyards and fewer than 10 wineries, excluding those affiliated with overlapping appellations such as the Russian River Valley.
Geographically, the Sonoma Coast AVA spans a distinctive area stretching northwest along the Pacific. Its shape has been likened to a lobster tilted at a 45-degree angle, with its 'head' and 'tail' overlapping the Russian River Valley and Carneros appellations, respectively. The central ‘body’ and ‘claw’ represent the core of Sonoma Coast.
The region’s defining characteristic is the Pacific Ocean’s direct and persistent influence. In the northern sections, vineyards sit on upland ridges just a few miles inland, often above the fog layer that settles in the afternoons. The Freestone area, a sheltered valley at the AVA’s center, features hillside vineyards that benefit from sunlight breaking through the coastal fog. Toward the south, vineyards thrive on adobe soils near the salt marshes of San Pablo Bay.
*Up The Creek Vineyard (2740 River Road, Windsor CA) is located within the Sonoma Coast AVA and Russian River Valley AVA
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY AVA
SCENIC AND VIBRANT
The Russian River Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA) is located at the geographic center of Sonoma County, California, serving as a key source of cool-climate grapes for many leading wineries and setting the benchmark for some of the region’s most popular varietals.
This AVA gained official recognition in 1983 and is known for being shaped not by corporate interests but by visionary growers who helped drive the premium wine movement.
Today, the Russian River Valley is home to more than 70 wineries, including passionate new producers crafting exceptional wines.
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel dominate the plantings here, followed by Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sauvignon Blanc. Though planted in smaller quantities, the cool-climate Syrah from this AVA is highly regarded by collectors. Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer also hold significant places in the region’s portfolio.
The boundaries of the Russian River Valley AVA don’t strictly follow the river’s course, which flows through rugged terrain to the Pacific Ocean. Instead, the AVA forms a roughly 15-mile-wide “heart-shaped” zone characterized by an ideal climate—cool, but not cold.
Throughout the growing season, warm days are moderated by coastal fog from the Sonoma Coast. In the late afternoons, a cool fog often settles over the hills west of Sebastopol, making a light jacket a smart choice when visiting this lush region.
*Up The Creek Vineyard (2740 River Road, Windsor CA) is located within the Sonoma Coast AVA and Russian River Valley AVA
