Clarksburg
The Clarksburg AVA is an emerging wine region with many vineyard owners. Although much of this fruit is purchased by non-resident wine producers, a handful of Clarksburg wineries are turning heads with Chenin Blanc and Petite Sirah. In addition to these grapes, over 20 other varietals are grown in the vineyards of Clarksburg.
Clarksburg’s climate is moderated by regular wind and fog from the San Francisco Bay. Chenin Blanc and Petite Sirah vineyards thrive in the wine region’s mild weather. Clarksburg’s terrain is composed of flat, alluvial soils that are quite productive for grape growing, but not particularly useful for Cabernet or Chardonnay. Countless years of alluvial deposits have caused the region to be quite fertile.
The Clarksburg appellation contains 56,900 acres of rich farmland spanning Sacramento, Solano and Yolo counties. Sixteen miles long and eight miles wide, it has over 10,000 acres of vines! While the Clarksburg appellation produces over 40,000 tons of grapes annually, 90% of it is crushed outside the appellation.