Full disclosure here. We’ve been coming to the Russian River area for one reason or another for the last 30 years. There’s no other region that has the sentimental memories, from camping to canoeing to wine tasting. But no other region really exemplifies wine regions the way the Russian River Valley does. Rolling hills, smaller vineyards, and the Russian River running through on its way to the Pacific. If there’s such a thing as great grape karma, this is where to find it.

As with many of the other wine growing areas in Northern California, the Russian River area has a history going back over 100 years, to people settling in the area after the California Gold Rush. The Russian River Valley AVA was only formed in 1983, however. One of the defining features of the Russian River area is that it’s closer to the ocean (not just a bay) than the Napa and Sonoma Valleys. This results in more fog at night, larger temperature swings from high to low, and a longer growing season when compared to its neighbors.

While many grapes seem to grow well in the area, there is more Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel planted here than other varietals. Visiting the area means trying these wines in some of the outstanding restaurants in the Healdsburg and Santa Rosa and the other towns, staying in a cute B&B, pairing wines with some of the artisan cheeses made in the area, or just exploring the beauty of the river and the valley.