A personal note to breaking news that puts Petaluma on the map, officially, for its distinctive grape growing terroir. "The very first meeting to talk about the possibility of a Petaluma Gap American Viticultural Area was a dinner party, held at my dining room table in Petaluma in November of 2004," says co-founder and past president of the Petaluma Gap Winegrower's Alliance, Petaluma native and former Pinot Noir grape grower, Teela Bihn.
Present with Teela that evening were Hoot and Linda Smith of Kastania Vineyard , Michael Ridgeway, Kamal and Pari Azari of Azari Vineyards Mary and Tom Stubbs of Stubbs Vineyard, Jim and Gayle Crayne of Armagh Vineyard, Timo Rivetti (Que Syra Syrah) and myself.
This initial group of neighbor growers worked on planting the seeds for an AVA and several members (Gayle especially) have been actively involved with the Petaluma Gap throughout this 13 year process of developing a board and volunteers. Kudos and congratulations to the many vineyard owners and winemakers and supporters of the Petaluma Gap who worked tirelessly over the years on fulfilling this AVA vision for our micro-region.
The Petaluma Gap Winegrowers Alliance (PGWA) has announced this December 2017 that the final rule making by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), establishing the Petaluma Gap on California’s North Coast as its newest designated AVA.This ruling defines the unique grape-growing area in southern Sonoma County and northern Marin County and acknowledges the region’s distinctive aspects based on topography and the effects of persistent wind and fog on the grapevines.
Of the 4,000 acres of vineyards in the 200,000-acre region, 75% are planted to Pinot Noir with most of the remaining acres equally planted to Chardonnay and Syrah; other grape varieties comprise less than 1% of the planted acreage.
“We are very excited to announce the official approval of the Petaluma Gap AVA in the Federal Register” said Rickey Trombetta, President of the Board of Directors of the PGWA. "Being able to proudly include this designation on our labels makes it easier for consumers to seek out and identify the wines of our members.
Local winemakers have long known that grapes grown in the Petaluma Gap ripen more slowly than in surrounding regions, allowing later harvest times which results in more complex flavor development while preserving natural acidity. With today's finalization of the AVA, wine lovers and members of the wine trade will have the opportunity to become more familiar with the distinctive quality and flavor profile of Petaluma Gap wines.”
The PGWA petition was submitted to the TTB in February 2015 and the proposal to establish the Petaluma Gap as an official AVA was published by the bureau in October, 2016. The final rule was published on December 7, 2017.
The Petaluma Gap AVA includes some 80 winegrowers and 9 wineries, with additional fruit sold to many other wineries throughout northern California. For more information see www.petalumagap.com.
About The Petaluma Gap Winegrowers Alliance
Founded in 2005, the Petaluma Gap Winegrowers Alliance (PGWA) exists to educate the wine trade and consumers about the Petaluma Gap and to increase awareness of the region’s unique growing conditions and resulting wine quality. PGWA additionally supports member winegrowers and vintners within the region through ongoing programs and communications designed to help maximize their success within the industry. The group’s membership is made up of grape growers, wineries, associate business members, sponsors and local community members with a passion for the region and its wine. Throughout the year, the group conducts educational events and tastings independently and through the Sonoma County Vintners.
OMGosh this is SO exciting! I remember being at my first Petaluma Gap meeting at what is now Pub Republic. I think I was the only "end-user" person there...meaning I wasn't involved in the wine business at all, I just liked wine and wanted to support the locals and GET Petaluma wines on the map!
You all have worked SO hard for this day - time for a big celebration - just wish I could be there instead of up in Medford. BTW, I'm loving the wines up here as well!
A huge congrats to all of the Petaluma Gap members and in particular the earlier folk who really got the ball rolling to begin with.
Blessings,
Anastasia
Posted by: plus.google.com/102207717595710136931 | Friday, December 08, 2025 at 03:09 PM