AVA Wines of Sonoma County: Moon Mountain Wine Region and Appellation

Soaring more than 2,000 feet above Sonoma Valley, California, the highest vineyards in the Moon Mountain District American Viticultural Area (AVA) enable clear-day views of San Francisco from 50 miles away, skyscrapers gleaming in the distance.

One of the few AVAs in the Mayacamas mountain range — which divides Sonoma County from the Napa Valley — the Moon Mountain District inhabits the hills of the central Sonoma Valley AVA, opposite the Sonoma Mountain AVA.

The Lay of the Land

The Moon Mountain District’s vineyards generally receive ample exposure not only to afternoon sun, but also crosswinds from the Pacific Ocean and San Pablo Bay. At elevations ranging from 200 to 2,200 feet above sea level, vines here grow in a variety of soils, mainly rocky and of volcanic origin, on slopes and ridge tops of the Mayacamas Mountains.

Designated an AVA in 2013, with roughly 1,500 of its 17,663 acres planted to grapevines at last count, the Moon Mountain District contains one of Sonoma County’s oldest and most prestigious vineyards.

Monte Rosso

One of the AVA’s most famous vineyards was originally called Mount Pisgah, first planted with grapevines by San Francisco grocers-turned-vintners Emmanuel Goldstein and Benjamin Dreyfus in 1886. When legendary vintner Louis M. Martini bought the vineyard in 1938, he renamed it Monte Rosso (Italian for “red earth”).

Some of California’s top heritage clone vines have their roots in this vineyard, prized for the volcanic influence and mineral content of its iron-rich, loamy soil. Especially iconic at Monte Rosso are its complex, high-acidity, and age-worthy old-vine Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Top Grapes

Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon are undeniably the most important varieties in the Moon Mountain District, but Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec are also found here. Chardonnay is prominent, and you’ll even find some Pinot Noir growing in the cooler, southern end of the AVA.

At the AVA’s higher elevations, grapevines respond to the more intense solar rays and winds by growing smaller, thick-skinned grapes that make for intense color and flavor characteristics. Farming on this mountainous terrain is an expensive proposition, which is why the Moon Mountain District AVA is known for high-value grapes.

Notable Wineries

Headed by renowned Sonoma County winemaker Richard Arrowood, Amapola Creek in the town of Sonoma, offers estate wines and an illuminating Monte Rosso Zinfandel.

Set even higher, HANNA Winery & Vineyards’ tufa-etched Bismark Mountain vineyard in Santa Rosa produces Malbec, Cabernet blends, Zinfandel, and even a bit of Riesling.

In Kenwood, seek out B Wise Vineyards and Ty Caton Vineyards. Be sure to visit the stunning Kamen Estate Wines in the town of Sonoma. Also look for Monte Rosso wines from Sonoma’s Bedrock Wine Co.

Hanzell Vineyards, founded in the 1950s by Ambassador James Zellerbach in the town of Sonoma, is an appointment-only winery that, for the serious student of California Pinot Noir and Chardonnay history, is worth the pilgrimage.

Restaurants and Lodging around Moon Mountain

Moon Mountain District is located directly above a historic, rambling stretch of the Sonoma Valley whose culinary offerings include a mix of excellent taquerias, popular sidewalk grills, and highly rated restaurants like Santé at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa.

When taking a break from great mountain-grown wine, take in the long list of world and craft brews in the town of Sonoma at Olde Sonoma Public House, which encourages patrons to order in from the favorite Mary’s Pizza Shack, across the street.

Top lodging choices include Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, Kenwood Inn & Spa, and Olea Hotel in Glen Ellen.

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Written by Sonoma Insider James Knight

Sonoma County Appellations (AVA):

Alexander Valley
Bennett Valley
Carneros – Sonoma
Chalk Hill
Dry Creek Valley
Fort Ross – Seaview
Fountaingrove District
Green Valley of Russian River Valley
Knights Valley
Moon Mountain
Northern Sonoma
Petaluma Gap
Pine Mountain – Cloverdale Peak
Rockpile
Russian River Valley
Sonoma Coast
Sonoma Mountain
Sonoma Valley
West Sonoma Coast