Sonoma Valley: The middle child of the California wine regions. You know the type: not the eldest, not the baby, the prankster looking for attention, unaware of their own incredible assets. With the Russian River and Sonoma coastline to the west, and Napa Valley to the east, the Sonoma Valley is sandwiched between the young up-and-comer and the eldest, most respected region. But it has its own personality, its own character, its own quality.

Similar to Napa Valley, Sonoma Valley runs north-south, with San Pablo Bay at the southern end providing a cooling influence. Unlike Napa, which is basically closed at the north, Sonoma receives cooling winds from the Russian River area. Cooler at the north, cooler at the south, hot in the middle. Pinot noir, chardonnay, merlot, cab, zin: the varied climate and outstanding soil allow just about everything to grow well in Sonoma Valley.

Sonoma Valley has its place in California history as well. Home to the last of the California missions (Mission San Francisco Solano de Sonoma), to the first premium winery founded in California with European varietals, home to writer Jack London for a number of years. The city of Sonoma offers a great plaza for dining, shopping or just sitting and watching the world go by. Sonoma Valley deserves, and will earn, your respect based on its own merits, which you soon will discover are considerable.