The Moon Mountain District, a recent addition to the roll of California wine country AVAS, is also one of the state's most distinct. Established by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau in late 2013, Moon Mountain District encompasses 17,663 acres of land on the western slope of the Mayacamas mountain range that runs the length of Sonoma Valley, from Lovall Valley in the south to Kenwood in the north.
Moon Mountain District has roughly 40 operating vineyards, with a combined total of 1,500 acres of vines, including the historic Monte Rosso Vineyard planted in the 1880s and now owned by E. & J. Gallo. There are 11 bonded wineries in the AVA, including Kamen, Repris and Hamel.
The AVA derives its uniqueness in large part from its soils-the Moon Mountain District is composed entirely of volcanic soil. Additionally, the AVA starts at approximately 400 feet elevation and reaches to 2,200-plus at the ridgeline separating Sonoma and Napa counties, markedly different from the rest of Sonoma Valley. Grapegrower Phil Coturri, whose Enterprise Vineyards currently farms more than 600 acres in Sonoma and Napa, all organically, was instrumental in getting the AVA designation.
"The point of the AVA is to elevate farming. You get name recognition for it and you can charge more for the fruit," says Coturri, who works with Kamen and Repris. "But that means you have to back it up qualitatively." Repris winemaker Erich Bradley notes that the new AVA designation has helped the area draw attention from prominent Napa winemakers, such as Andy Erickson and Tony Biagi.
Denne historien er fra October 15, 2022-utgaven av Wine Spectator.
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Denne historien er fra October 15, 2022-utgaven av Wine Spectator.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
New Zealand's Success Story
From small beginnings, the country’s wines have ascended to global prominence
Wine Is Healthiest Choice for Drinkers
Decades of research has linked light to moderate drinking, especially of wine, to a range of health benefits.
In Pursuit of the Perfect Crust
“Dough is always the hardest challenge for any home chef,” explains chef and restaurateur Tony Gemignani. “But it’s the foundation of any great pizza.”
SEAVEY VINEYARD
In Napa’s Conn Valley, a family-run winery marches to its own drum
CALIFORNIA RHONES Show Their Range
RECENT VINTAGES DELIVER EXCELLENT REDS AND WHITES IN AN ARRAY OF STYLES
Tuscany Comes of Age
Anchored by the 2021 vintage, Tuscan reds set a new standard of quality
The Absolute Best Places to Eat and Drink in America
PROFILES OF THE 63 WINE SPECTATOR GRAND AWARD WINNERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TODAY, AS THE PROGRAM MARKS ITS 44TH YEAR
Events- A Grand Tour for Wine Spectator- a perfect day with an evening of outstanding wines.
A young couple in shorts and festival shirts sped into the ballroom of the New Orleans Marriott on a mission.
Big Wine Players Target Pinot Noir - Plenty of small winery owners are cashing out, either because they're looking to retire or they see selling as the best way to keep their label growing
Plenty of small winery owners are cashing out, either because they’re looking to retire or they see selling as the best way to keep their label growing
Restaurant Awards- Lazy Bear- Lazy Bear bills itself as a modern American dinner party. But it's so much more.
Lazy Bear bills itself as a modern American dinner party. But it’s so much more. This Mission District restaurant effortlessly strips away the formality of a multicourse dinner and replaces it with conviviality, nostalgia and curiosity. With reverence for time and place, Lazy Bear is an ode to California where guests dine in concert with the season and can explore diverse wines, including an impressive collection of older California vintages.
