Fort Ross-Seaview AVA

Fort Ross-Seaview
Wine region
TypeAmerican Viticultural Area
Year established2011
Years of wine industry208
CountryUnited States
Part ofCalifornia, North Coast AVA, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast AVA, West Sonoma Coast AVA
Growing season264 days
Climate regionRegion II
Heat units2,580-2,615 GDD units
Precipitation (annual average)2 to 4 in (50–100 mm)
Soil conditionsGravelly loam derived from metamorphic rock
Total area27,500 acres (43 sq mi)
Size of planted vineyards506 acres (205 ha)
No. of vineyards18
Grapes producedChardonnay, Marsanne, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Pinotageóa, Roussane, Syrah, Viognier, Zinfindel
No. of wineries5

Fort Ross-Seaview is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located along the Pacific coast of Sonoma County, California. It was established as the state’s 124th and Sonoma County's 17th viticultural area on December 13, 2011 by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by Patrick L. Shabram, on his behalf and David Hirsch of Hirsch Vineyards with all the wine grape growers and bonded wineries within the 27,000 acres (42 sq mi) viticultural area in coastal Sonoma County to be named "Fort Ross-Seaview." The AVA is located adjacent to the Pacific Ocean between Jenner and Sea Ranch, about 65 miles (105 km) north-northwest of San Francisco defined by its higher elevation. It lies entirely within the Sonoma Coast viticultural area and the vast multi-county North Coast AVA. Fort Ross-Seaview boundaries does not overlap, or otherwise affect, any other viticultural area. Eleven years later, the TTB established the 141,846 acres (222 sq mi) West Sonoma Coast appellation further distinguishing Sonoma's unique coastal environment from the inland regions within the larger Sonoma Coast AVA. As a result, Fort Ross-Seaview became a sub-appellation of West Sonoma Coast.