This Fall I have been lucky enough to get to know the Dry Creek Valley AVA through tastings, interviews, and tours. Beginning with yesterday’s feature on Paul Draper’s work with Ridge Vineyards–they began making Zinfandel from Dry Creek Valley within two years of Draper starting at Ridge–I’ll be showcasing aspects of Dry Creek Valley here.

Included will be considerations of Zinfandel, but also a tasting on Cabernet Sauvignon from differing types of loam; interviews with people that have helped shape the AVA; photos of specific sites; and historic pre-Lake Sonoma photos shared with me by the Mauritson family.

To begin, here are some photos of the beautiful valley. Enjoy!

Pasterick Vineyards, on West Dry Creek Valley Road

Jr. Drawing in a Rhone-varieties Vineyard

A view of the Valley from 1800 feet

Gustafson Family Vineyards, Looking Towards Lake Sonoma

The Oldest Madrone in Sonoma County, and likely in California, at Gustafson

Looking up the Valley from Dry Creek Valley Road, near Geyserville

A Garden Family at Nalle Vineyards

Head trained Zinfandel planted in 1932

The overlap of Dry Creek Valley and Rockpile AVAs in the early morning

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Drinking Balance: Considering Terroir, Old Vines, and Natural Winemaking, A Conversation with Paul Draper: http://wakawakawinereviews.com/2012/11/27/drinking-balance-considering-terroir-old-vines-and-natural-winemaking-a-conversation-with-paul-draper-ridge-wines/

Happy Halloween! Or, And Now For Something Complete Different (and a little random): The Heritage Madrone, A Bonus in the Wine Writer’s Life, for Shiloh: http://wakawakawinereviews.com/2012/10/31/happy-halloween-or-and-now-for-something-completely-different-and-a-little-random-the-heritage-madrone-a-bonus-in-the-wine-writers-life-for-shiloh/

Visiting Gustafson Family Vineyards, Dry Creek Valley AVA, 1800 feet elevation: http://wakawakawinereviews.com/2012/11/29/visiting-gustafson-winery-dry-creek-valley-ava-1800-feet-elevation/

The History of Dry Creek Valley, Lake Sonoma, and Rockpile: Meeting the Mauritson Family: http://wakawakawinereviews.com/2012/12/03/the-history-of-dry-creek-valley-lake-sonoma-and-rockpile-meeting-the-mauritson-family/

Visiting the Dry Creek Valley, Rockpile AVAs Overlap: The Mauritson Family Vineyards: http://wakawakawinereviews.com/2012/12/04/visiting-the-dry-creek-valley-rockpile-avas-overlap-the-mauritson-family-vineyards/

Tasting the Soil: Clay Mauritson’s Passion for Loam and Cabernet: http://wakawakawinereviews.com/2012/12/05/tasting-the-soil-clay-mauritsons-passion-for-loam-and-cabernet/

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Thank you to Michelle McCue and Dan Fredman.

Thank you to Krysa Dixon, and Anne Alderete,

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