Geography
Bennett Valley is a series of high sloping ridges, hills and swales suspended from Bennett Mountain to the north, Taylor Peak to the west and Sonoma Mountain to the south. Most of the planted acreage sits on bench land between 400 and 1,100 feet above sea level. The AVA lies entirely within the Sonoma Valley appellation, and overlaps part of both Sonoma Mountain and the Sonoma Coast appellations. The boundaries of the AVA roughly correspond to the Matanzas Creek watershed. More an alluvial bench than a valley, volcanic activity created both the diverse topography and a wide range of soil types, exposures and terrains. The volcanic history of the region defines our landscape: steep, rocky soils with good drainage to encourage deep roots and intense flavors without dilution.
Climate
Consistent marine influence defines this cool-climate region. A depression in the coastal mountains known as the Petaluma Wind Gap, allows early morning fog and cool marine breezes to pour into the valley thru Crane Canyon on a regular basis throughout the growing season. While the AVA is classified as “very cool” the mountains that define its boundaries shelter the vineyards and protect them from extremes during the growing season. In the lee of the valley walls, abundant sunshine warms the fruit where ripening happens slowly and flavors develop ahead of sugars. As a result, Bennett Valley wines are ripe and fully flavored but maintain elegance and complexity that can sometimes be lost in warmer areas.
Soil Types
The volcanic history of the Bennett Valley landscape is outlined by the stone walls of eroded lava and tuff that crisscross its pastures and vineyards. On the slopes of the foothills, soils are primarily of volcanic origin (Goulding-Toomes-Guenoc Association) and include lava flow, tuff beds, sandstone, gravel and some conglomerate. The lower slopes and valley floor soils offer more variety, including some soils with an alluvial origin. Spreckels loam is distributed throughout the region. This rocky array of volcanic cobbles predicts the common characteristic of Bennett Valley’s vineyard soils: good drainage and moderate fertility.