Fountaingrove District Wine Region and Appellation

The Fountaingrove District is a sleeper of an appellation within Sonoma County, achieving American Viticultural Area (AVA) status without much fanfare or controversy.

Yet it has a long and colorful history. Taking its name from an historic area of northeastern Santa Rosa, the Fountaingrove District is inspired by the legacy of California's original "cult winery." There are 500 acres of vineyard in the 38,000-acre appellation and five wine producers in the Fountaingrove District, which became Sonoma County's 17th AVA in March, 2015.

Top Grapes

Historically, Zinfandel, Riesling, Pinot Noir, and many other grapes were grown in the hills of the Fountaingrove area. Today, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Zinfandel, Syrah, and Viognier are top varietals.

The Lay of the Land

Tucked into central-eastern Sonoma County, the Fountaingrove District is surrounded by the Russian River Valley, Knights Valley, Sonoma Valley, and Napa Valley sub-appellations including the Spring Mountain District.

Viticulturally, it also fills the gap — classified as Warm Region II in the Winkler heat summation scale, it's more marine-influenced than Alexander Valley and areas of northern Napa Valley, but warmer than the Russian River Valley. The terrain is mainly rolling hills, with soils derived from Sonoma Volcanic and Franciscan Formation bedrock.

Notable Wineries

This new AVA's most notable winery is, unfortunately, nearly lost to history. In 1875, enigmatic spiritualist cult leader Thomas Lake Harris moved from Brocton, New York, to set up a second, utopian colony on a 600-acre ranch north of Santa Rosa. Termed the "Eden of the West," Fountain Grove had impressive buildings, gardens, a winery, and extensive vineyards.

Harris' "Brotherhood of the New Life" maintained a wine shop in New York City and even exported wine to the British Isles. The winery was recognized as one of California's premiere producers both before and after Prohibition (when it was renamed Fountaingrove), thanks to winemaker Kanaye Nagasawa, once called the "Wine King" of California. But since the 1940s the historic winery has been left to the elements.

Backroad Bodegas

All bodegas are backroads in the Fountaingrove District AVA. Several may offer visits and tours by appointment. Dry Creek Valley's Lambert Bridge Winery sources Chardonnay and Bordeaux varietals from the area, and many wineries purchase grapes from Kick Ranch, which is owned by Bricoleur Vineyards in Windsor. In the town of Sonoma, try Enkidu Wine's Syrah and Sauvignon Blanc and in Santa Rosa, try Carol Shelton's Zinfandel.

Restaurants and Lodging near Fountaingrove

Not too far away, you can experience the magnificent wine country lifestyle at the Vintners Resort, a 78-room luxury hotel that includes the legendary John Ash & Co. restaurant, the River Vine restaurant for breakfast, brunch or lunch, and The Front Room Bar & Lounge, as well as the relaxing and luxurious Vi La Vita Spa.

Also nearby, the Hilton Garden Inn – Sonoma County Airport offers comfortable and spacious guest rooms, and its onsite restaurant and bar serves casual, freshly-prepared American cuisine. Or if you're feeling a bit retro, head a bit south to the affordable and urban (and extensively redesigned) Astro Motel, and the delicious eats at the nearby Spinster Sisters, a local favorite.

Written by Sonoma Insider James Knight.

Sonoma County Appellations (AVA):

Alexander Valley
Bennett Valley
Carneros - Sonoma
Chalk Hill
Dry Creek Valley
Fort Ross - Seaview
Fountaingrove District
Green Valley of Russian River Valley
Knights Valley
Moon Mountain
Northern Sonoma
Petaluma Gap
Pine Mountain - Cloverdale Peak
Rockpile
Russian River Valley
Sonoma Coast
Sonoma Mountain
Sonoma Valley
West Sonoma Coast