Petaluma winery
The AVA is one of several newer American appellations to gain its status based on climate and topography rather than political boundaries. But it is unique in being defined by particular effects of the wind. The zone is limited to those areas where the winds from the Pacific Ocean blowing through the Petaluma gap have a regular minimum speed of eight miles per hour. At the time of the creation of the AVA, there were over 4000 acres of vineyards out of a total land area within the zone of 202,476 acres (. Around 75 percent of plantings are Pinot Noir, with Chardonnay accounting for 13 percent, and Syrah 12 percent. The latter produces wines in something more like a Northern Rh ne style rather than jammier versions. Some Pinot Noir wines from Californian coastal-influenced sites such as Petaluma Gap have been bottled with a dash of Syrah. Less than one percent of the vineyard area is dedicated to other wine grape varieties. The vineyards are mainly owned by operations based elsewhere in Sonoma County and beyond. Keller Estate is one of the few operations with its winery located within the AVA boundaries. Seven of the 40-odd members of the Petaluma Gap Winegrowers Alliance have a tasting room within the appellation.