The
Wine Country is an area of
Northern California in the
United States known world-wide as a premium
wine-growing region.
Viticulture and wine-making have been practiced in the region since the mid-19th century. There are over 400
wineries in the area north of
San Francisco, mostly located in the area's valleys, including
Napa Valley in
Napa County, and the
Sonoma Valley,
Alexander Valley,
Dry Creek Valley,
Bennett Valley, and
Russian River Valley in
Sonoma County. Wine grapes are also grown at higher elevations, such as
Atlas Peak and
Mount Veeder AVAs. The region is defined not only by its viticulture, but also its
ecology,
geology,
architecture,
cuisine, and culture. The majority of the grape harvest, by both area and value, derives from Sonoma County.