Flocking To These Sea Bird Wine Regions

“AVA - The acronym for American Viticultural Areas. This indicates a wine’s geographical pedigree. Wines that have a designated AVA are required to have 85% or more of the wine derived from the grape grown from within the boundaries of that designation. “

One of the most unique and fascinating part about wine is how the same varietal can be so uniquely different depending on where it’s gown.

The French call it “terroir” which loosely translates to “a sense of place” and in California regions, each AVA brings it’s own sense of soul into every bottle. There is no place in the world as unique and geographically diverse than California wine country, that spans hundreds of miles both inland and along the coast.

At Sea Bird Wines, we get top of pick of our grapes each year from premiere, boutique vineyards in our favorite AVAs including the Sonoma Coast, Santa Rita Hills, and Napa Valley.

Stretch your wings and do a little flyover on some of our favorite regions to find Great Vines and turn them into Great Times.

Sonoma Coast

Every bit of this wild, wind-swept coast contributes to some of the West Coast’s most coveting wines. With over 2,000 acres of planted land in this AVA, Burgundian varietals like Pinot Nor and Chardonnay thrive here. Direct daily influence from the Pacific Coast brings cool, foggy mornings, warm afternoons for even ripening that maintains the AVA”s signature lively acidity and balance.

We love to see that balance shine in our wines, with minimal interference in the cellar. Wines like our  Sangiacomo Robert’s Road Chardonnay brings forward a gorgeous concentration of fruit, with that signature California Chard influence of topical fruits and hints of pears, vanilla and honey. Whereas a bottle like the Sonoma Stage Vineyard Pinot Noir comes from a vineyard nestled in the Petaluma Gap region of the Sonoma Coast AVA brings together a pinot noir that is both bold and balance with notes of cocoa powder, bridle leather and dark cherries.

Santa Rita Hills

This specifically region is home to 59 vineyards and over 2,700 acres planted to “cool climate” grape varieties like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The unique microclimate in the Santa Rita Hills contains marine sediment dating back to 20 million years ago when the mountains rose out of the ocean from the Pacific. Today, the maritime climate, elevated calcium in the soil and soils that make the grape vines “struggle” to produce some of the most delicious and balanced wines we’ve ever tasted (if we do say so ourselves!). Burgundian varietals like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir thrive here, as the midday sun and cool mornings and evenings allow for even ripening without spiking the sugars and alcohol, which allows that balanced acidity to shine through.

It’s not surprise that our award winning Chardonnay- 2017 Courtney’s Vineyard – is from here, a which has been a Flock favorite across the board since its release after scoring 94 points from Robert Whitley, and Platinum Medals at the 2020 San Diego International Wine Competition and 2020 Critic’s Challenge Wine Competition.

Napa Valley

One of the most iconic AVAs in the world, Napa Valley, is home to our Bordeaux varietals, where we love our tiny single vineyards in Atlas Peak and Rutherford.

Broken Rock is one of favorite vineyards in Napa where we typically source our Bordeaux varietals. Sitting at the base of Atlas Peak, these rocky volcanic soils cultivates soft, supple fruit with hints of dusty tannins. The vineyard itself benefits from warm days with plenty of sunshine, along with cool nights that allow the vines to produce fruit of the highest quality with soft, supple tannins. Broken Rock is home to our single-vineyard 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, where the harmonious balance of mountainside structure marries with Valley Floor fruit for that classic Napa Valley elegance.

You can also experience Broken Rock with 2016 Aphrodite, the newest addition to our Flock as our signature Napa Valley Merlot.

The wine that rules them all, Poseidon, is sourced from one of Napa’s most prestigious subregions, Rutherford. If you’ve ever heard a Somm talk about “Rutherford Dust” this is where you’ll find it. The GIII Vineyard in Rutherford is so classically Napa, bringing together polished tannins, lush fruit and wild berry flavors for a timeless bottle of wine that will age for decades.