Bennett Valley Climate

Bennett Valley has some unique physical characteristics that make it particularly suited to cool climate red varieties like Pinot, Merlot and Syrah. The gap between Sonoma Mountain and Taylor Mountain on the western edge of the valley through which Grange Rd/Crane Canyon Rd passes is called the Crane Canyon Gap. It is a major access point for cool marine air and fog from the Petaluma Valley to enter Bennett Valley.

The Crane Canyon Gap and to a lesser extent the Santa Rosa Plain provide a strong marine influence to Bennett Valley making Bennett Valley as cool as the coolest parts of Russian River despite being further inland.

In fact, Bennett Valley is such a unique environment that it is now its own appellation. Peter and Marie Young were a signatory to the AVA application.