Russian River Valley (RRV)
Definition - What does Russian River Valley (RRV) mean?
The Russian River Valley or RRV is located in the Sonoma County region of California and produces cooler climate varietals. This region is over 15,000 acres, mainly grows Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes but also makes Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah and Pinot Gris. Mostly comprised of many small vineyards, this wine growing community is conscious of sustainable farming practices and natural solutions to pest removal.
WineFrog explains Russian River Valley (RRV)
This Russian River Valley is divided into several sub regions that each specialize different varieties of wine. The Sebastopol Hills region is the coldest in the RRV also known as the west Sonoma Coast. Wines from this region are typical of cold climate wines with a fruity taste and elements of herb that have a high pH and acidity. The Green Valley is the only sub-region recognized as an AVA and is very forested. The first grapes planted were intended for sparkling wines, and today, vineyards from this region pride themselves on fruity, luxurious Pinot Noirs.
The Santa Rosa Plain produces mostly Zinfandel wine with a spicy, berry taste and a wholesome acidity. Laguna Ridge, sometimes called the “Golden Triangle”, has a medium coldness and produce Pinot Noirs that have a rich, high quality mouthfeel with moderate acidity. Lastly, the Middle Reach region is home to some of the RRV’s oldest plantings of Pinot Noir but has slightly warmer temperatures. This makes a bold, dark Pinot that are riper, acidic, spicy and fuller bodied without added sugar.
