| Sonoma is 1608 square miles. The
valley begins at the Edge of Santa Rose and extends 17 miles south to
San Pablo Bay. The valley is 7 miles wide and has the Mayacamas mountains
to the East and the Sonoma Mountains to the west. The ‘Mediterranean’
climate with warn, dry summers and mild winters make it perfect for grapes.
The valley is far cooler in the south and is home to
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Riesling and Gewürztraminer. Along
the hillsides and further north is Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon. Local
restaurants serve wines only in the distinctive blue stemmed wine glasses,
which have become a distinguishing symbol for Sonoma. Sonoma Valley also
inspired Jack London’s ‘Valley of the Moon”. He spent
his final years here on his Beauty Ranch in Glen Ellen.
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