Russian River Valley: what the fuss is all about?

“Tangerine and zesty citrus with subtle hints of blooming Spring gardens, rise up my nose. As I take a sip, my taste buds go running; almond and creamy goodness fill my mouth, campfire smoke of past summer nights rolls down my throat”. These are just a few things that you can expect to taste from a Chardonnay from the Russian River Valley in California. But what is allowing all these wonderful flavours to come together to create this sensory experience?

Location, location, location! It’s all about the location. Its unique landscape and climate provide the opportunity for grape varieties like Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and old-vine Zinfandel to truly rock on out. The region follows the Russian River, which creates a ‘sweet spot’ that isn’t too cold but cool enough to ripen grape varieties, like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, which thrive in cooler climates. The Russian River flows its way out to the Pacific Ocean, which brings some refreshing ocean breezes inland but the biggest influence is the fog that likes to plummet its way into the Valley, through a gap in the mountain range (Petaluma Wind Gap for those of you, who love all the technical stuff). The fog acts like a blanket keeping the intense daytime heat out, bringing temperatures down and allowing optimal conditions for grapes to enjoy a long, ripening period.

Don’t expect to taste big and bold ‘American Made’ wines, with copious amounts of oak usage. Wines from the Russian River are a little bit more elegant and restrained and dare we say more ‘Frenchie’ in style. This region is a striking example of how the New World can rival, if not beat their Old World counterparts. 

So if you want to see what all the fuss is about; join Steve and Dan of Dutton Goldfield for our upcoming virtual wine tasting on Friday the 16th of April. Taste their iconic wines and delve deeper into the unique topography of the Russian River Valley. This tasting is one not to be missed, so get your tickets here whilst they last!