1997 Simi Late Harvest Chardonnay, 375ml

Simi Winery is in Sonoma County. It was established in 1876 after brothers Giuseppe and Pietro Simi left Tuscany to pan for gold in California. Within 20 years they were making wine in Healdsburg. During prohibition Giuseppe’s daughter ran the winery and continued to make wine, which she stored in the cellar. Today the winery is owned by Constellation Brands, a large conglomerate with which owns numerous wineries around the world. The estate owns 600 acres in Alexander Valley and 120 acres in the Russian River Valley and produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Pinot Noir.

Sonoma County is not an AVA, but it is a commonly used informal designation for wines made outside of more specific AVAs within Sonoma, which is a large wine producing region just west of Napa Valley. Though Sonoma is often overshadowed by its glamorous neighbor Napa Valley, it has a long history of wine production. The area specialized in jug wine until the mid-20th century, when Sonoma producers took a cue from Napa and started improving quality. Unlike Napa, where Cabernet Sauvignon is king, Sonoma specialized in Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel, though excellent Cabs are produced too. There are at present 16 AVAs within Sonoma County, and, like much of the West Coast of the United States, new AVAs are created in Sonoma County with regularity. Some Sonoma appellations, such as the Russian River Valley, are renowned for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.