Petaluma Gap & Bennett Valley

The Petaluma Gap is located within the Sonoma Coast AVA, and here, it is all about the wind. In cooler climates such as this, Pinot Noir develops all of the potential flavor and character that is possible. 

The daily weather pattern goes something like this: Early-to-mid-morning finds a distinctive crisp coolness and a blanket of fog. By late morning the sun has chased away the fog and the temperatures rise. By mid-afternoon, however, the cool breezes return, flowing west to east, picking up speed as the afternoon progresses and bringing in the almost nightly fog. There are daily temperature swings of forty to fifty degrees. This cooling “wind tunnel” effect means the vineyard yields are smaller and grapes ripen later, developing wonderful flavors and fruit characteristics, while maintaining ideal levels of acidity. It’s the perfect recipe for intense but well-balanced wines.