Food & Wine

AVA Wines of Sonoma County: Fountaingrove Wine Region

Teran Vineyard; photo by George Marek

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 a 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 vineyards in the 38,000-acre appellation and five wine producers in the Fountaingrove District, which became Sonoma County’s 17th AVA in March 2015.

Rows of grape vines with mountains in the background — Photo by George Marek

Top Grapes & Varietals

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

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

Unfortunately, this newer AVA’s most notable winery is 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 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.

Today, Dry Creek Valley’s Lambert Bridge Winery sources Chardonnay and Bordeaux varietals from the area, and many wineries purchase grapes from Kick Ranch, owned by Bricoleur Vineyards in Windsor. In Sonoma, try Enkidu Wine’s Syrah and Sauvignon Blanc, and in Santa Rosa, try Carol Shelton’s Zinfandel.

Sloping vineyards next to a pond high up in the hills — Kick Ranch Vineyard, Santa Rosa; photo by George Marek

Restaurants and Lodging near Fountaingrove

Not too far away, you can experience magnificent wine country cuisine at 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 at the Vintners Resort, a 78-room luxury hotel.

Where to Stay

Also nearby, the Hilton Garden Inn – Sonoma County Airport offers comfortable and spacious guest rooms, and its onsite restaurant and bar serve 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