| Wine region | |
 Vineyards in the Dry Creek Valley AVA | |
| Type | American Viticultural Area |
|---|---|
| Year established | 1983[1] |
| Years of wine industry | 140[2] |
| Country | United States |
| Part of | California,North Coast AVA,Northern Sonoma AVA,Sonoma County |
| Sub-regions | Rockpile AVA |
| Growing season | 240-270 days[3] |
| Climate region | Region III[3] |
| Heat units | 3,001-3,500GDD units[3] |
| Precipitation (annual average) | 30 to 70 in (760–1,780 mm)[3] |
| Total area | 80,000 acres (125 sq mi)[1] |
| Size of planted vineyards | 9,000 acres (3,600 ha) |
| No. of vineyards | 150 |
| Grapes produced | Alicante Bouschet,Barbera,Black Malvasia,Cabernet Franc,Cabernet Sauvignon,Carignane,Chardonnay,Chasselas,Cinsault,Gewürztraminer,Grenache,Malbec,Marsanne,Merlot,Mourvèdre,Muscat Canelli,Muscat of Alexandria,Peloursin,Petit Verdot,Petite Sirah,Pinot blanc,Pinot noir,Riesling,Roussanne,Sangiovese,Sauvignon blanc, Sauvignon Musque,Sémillon,Syrah,Viognier,Zinfandel[4] |
| No. of wineries | 88[4] |
Dry Creek Valley is anAmerican Viticultural Area (AVA) inSonoma County, California, located northwest of the town ofHealdsburg. It was established on August 3, 1983 by theBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted on behalf of the Dry Creek Valley Association, Inc., a local grape/wine industry member group, proposing a viticultural area to be known as "Dry Creek Valley."[5] The inverted "U"-shaped valley extends southeasterly just east of the Warm Springs Creek/Dry Creek confluence, a tributary of theRussian River south of Healdsburg and is approximately 16 miles (25.7 km) long by two miles (3.2 km) wide. Theappellation benefits from the proximity of theLake Sonoma reservoir forirrigation in this relatively dry area.[1][4]
At the turn of the 20th century, Dry Creek Valley was one of California's most prominent producers ofZinfandel. DuringProhibition, much of the valley was converted to plum, pear, and prune trees, and much of the fruit was processed bySunsweet Growers in Healdsburg.[6] Since the resurgence of wine grape production in the 1970s,Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel have become the most planted varieties, and Dry Creek Valley AVA has become one of the state's top Zinfandel producers.Sauvignon blanc has become the most important white grape varietal produced in the valley.
Over 50 wineries are resident in Dry Creek Valley AVA, and over 160 wineries produce wines that bear a Dry Creek Valley AVA designation. Dry Creek Valley AVA is home to the majority of theSonoma vineyards ofE & J Gallo Winery, who established winery facilities in the valley in the early 1990s.[6]
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.38°39′13″N122°55′18″W / 38.65348966°N 122.92154136°W /38.65348966; -122.92154136
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