Moon Mountain District Sonoma County

Moon Mountain District Sonoma County AVA
Wine region
Moon Mountain vineyard
TypeAmerican Viticultural Area
Year established2013
Years of wine industrysince 1880
CountryUnited States
Part of California, North Coast AVA, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley AVA
Other regions in California, North Coast AVA, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley AVABennett Valley AVA, Los Carneros AVA, Sonoma Mountain AVA
Soil conditionsRocky, iron-rich volcanic
Total area17,633 acres (28 sq mi)
Size of planted vineyards1,500 acres (607 ha)
No. of vineyards40
Varietals producedCabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Zinfandel
No. of wineries11

Moon Mountain District Sonoma County is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) within Sonoma Valley and North Coast viticultural areas, just north of the city of Sonoma. This mountainous region on the very eastern edge of Sonoma County has a historic reputation for producing rich, intensely-flavored wines from Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah varietals since the 1880s. The District was established on November 1, 2013, by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). Its designation covers 17,663 acres (28 sq mi) of land stretching north-south along the western slopes of the Mayacamas mountains between Sugarloaf Ridge State Park and Los Carneros viticultural area with the Napa Valley’s Mount Veeder viticultural area outlining the eastern slopes. Its name is derived from Moon Mountain Road, which traverses through the area and itself a reference to Sonoma, which means 'valley of the moon' in the local Native American dialect. A clear view to San Francisco 50 miles (80 km) south is not uncommon from Moon Mountain District vineyards.