Dry Creek Valley AVA
| Wine region | |
Vineyards in the Dry Creek Valley AVA | |
| Type | American Viticultural Area |
|---|---|
| Year established | 1983 |
| Years of wine industry | 140 |
| Country | United States |
| Part of | California, North Coast AVA, Northern Sonoma AVA, Sonoma County |
| Sub-regions | Rockpile AVA |
| Growing season | 240-270 days |
| Climate region | Region III |
| Heat units | 3,001-3,500 GDD units |
| Precipitation (annual average) | 30 to 70 in (760–1,780 mm) |
| Total area | 80,000 acres (125 sq mi) |
| 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 |
| No. of wineries | 88 |
Dry Creek Valley is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in Sonoma County, California, located northwest of the town of Healdsburg. It was established on August 3, 1983 by the Bureau 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." The inverted "U"-shaped valley extends southeasterly just east of the Warm Springs Creek/Dry Creek confluence, a tributary of the Russian River south of Healdsburg and is approximately 16 miles (25.7 km) long by two miles (3.2 km) wide. The appellation benefits from the proximity of the Lake Sonoma reservoir for irrigation in this relatively dry area.