Rockpile

Located in one of the most remote corners of Sonoma Valley, at the end of the Dry Creek Valley AVA on Rockpile Road, is the aptly-named Rockpile AVA. This new darling among wine afficianados is one of Northern California’s highest elevation AVAs, with elevations ranging from at least 800 feet to as high as 1,900 feet.

The vineyards are therefore perched high above the summer fog for non-stop, character-building, sunshine and warm temperatures. Rockpile vines are also stressed by the unforgiving, rocky hillside conditions, producing low yields and small grapes with intense flavors. Rockpile Zinfandel is particularly sought-after for its lush, complex, super-concentrated flavors of spice, blueberry, and blackberry. It's expensive and labor-intensive to farm the craggy hillsides, yet the payoff is in the intensity of the fruit.

Designated in 2002, Rockpile is Sonoma County’s 12th AVA and consists of approximately 15,400 acres, with about 160 acres under vine. Eleven vineyards call Rockpile home, supplying fruit to California’s most revered Zinfandel makers. But Rockpile’s charms are not limited to Zinfandel; Syrah also does well on those hillsides, as do Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petite Sirah. And, although the AVA supports 11 vineyards, the topography is so difficult that Rockpile has yet to attract a resident winery.

Although Rockpile’s AVA was approved in less than two years after submission, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (BATF) which approves all AVAs, they had initially rejected the petition, believing the Rockpile name to be a hoax. Historically speaking, however, Rockpile is not a newcomer. It has actually been the source of intense, highly-defined red wines since 1872.