2019 Sonoma Vintage

The 2019 growing season in Sonoma was anything but uneventful. Record winter rainfall soaked the region, and a cool, wet spring followed, delaying bud break into late March and early April for varieties such as Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Spring rains during bloom raised twin concerns of mildew pressure and coulure, which can reduce cluster size and crop yields. Despite these worries, fruit set proved solid throughout Sonoma County. The summer delivered warm, relatively even conditions with morning coastal fog helping preserve acidity in cooler zones. Harvest ultimately ran one to two weeks later than the prior year's record-early pace, benefiting from the long, unhurried growing season.

• Record winter rainfall followed by cool spring, pushing bud break into late March and early April
• Spring rains during bloom raised mildew and coulure concerns, though fruit set held up well county-wide
• Long, cool summer with few significant heat spikes allowed gradual, even ripening
• Morning coastal fog in zones like Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast preserved acidity and aromatics

The extended growing season benefited Sonoma's diverse appellations in different ways. Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir and Chardonnay zones gained from consistent fog influence moderating afternoon heat, producing wines with vivid aromatics and firm acid structure. Sonoma County Pinot Noir specialist Kathleen Inman noted the vintage reminded her of 2008, with high acids, high brix, beautiful fruit flavors, and strong backbone. Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon achieved excellent ripeness, with Jordan Winery beginning Chardonnay pressing on September 12, describing intense, pure fruit character. Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel and Sonoma Coast producers also praised the natural balance the season afforded.

• Russian River Valley Pinot Noir: High acids alongside ripe fruit, recalling the balanced 2008 vintage
• Sonoma Coast Chardonnay and Pinot Noir: Fog-moderated growing season preserved freshness and aromatic precision
• Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon: Ideal, even ripening; Jordan Winery's September 12 Chardonnay press showed intense Fuji apple purity
• Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel: Ripe, structured character from the warm, long season

The 2019 harvest came to a dramatic conclusion when the Kincade Fire ignited northeast of Geyserville on October 23, ultimately burning 77,758 acres and prompting the largest evacuation in Sonoma County history, affecting approximately 190,000 people. Critically for the vintage, an estimated 95% of the Sonoma County grape crop had already been picked before the evacuation orders were issued on October 26. The Alexander Valley and Chalk Hill subregions, where later-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon was still on some vines, were most directly affected. PG&E power shutoffs added further disruption, but most wineries with generators continued operations. Sonoma County Vintners confirmed at the time that 92% of grapes were in and declared the 2019 vintage exceptional.

• Kincade Fire ignited October 23, 2019, burning 77,758 acres and contained by November 6
• Approximately 95% of the Sonoma County grape crop was harvested before evacuation orders on October 26
• Alexander Valley and Chalk Hill Cabernet Sauvignon blocks were the most at-risk remaining fruit
• PG&E preemptive power shutoffs disrupted operations; producers with generators continued crushing

The 2019 vintage produced benchmark wines across Sonoma's key varietals. Kosta Browne's 2019 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, a verified release, is described as vibrant, pure, and precise, with redcurrants, wildflowers, and subtle baking spice. Seghesio Family Vineyards, one of Sonoma's oldest Zinfandel producers with roots to 1895, released a 2019 Zinfandel that earned 90 points from critics for its classic Dry Creek character. Jordan Winery's Maggie Kruse, in her first year as head winemaker, praised both the Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon from the vintage as showstoppers. David Ramey of Ramey Wine Cellars described the vintage conditions as nearly perfect, noting both reds and whites tasted outstanding from barrel.

• Kosta Browne Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2019: Vibrant, pure, and precise with vivid red fruit and wildflower aromatics
• Seghesio Family Vineyards Zinfandel 2019: 90 points from critics; classic Dry Creek Zinfandel character
• Jordan Winery Chardonnay 2019: Picked September 12, intense Fuji apple purity described as a 'showstopper'
• Ramey Wine Cellars: Winemaker David Ramey called conditions nearly perfect, with both reds and whites tasting exceptional

Wine Spectator's Vintage Chart rates the 2019 Sonoma vintage at 95 points and recommends 'Hold,' reflecting the ageworthy structure of the top wines. In 2026, the vintage is entering a rewarding window for many styles. Pinot Noirs from Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast, which benefited from high acids and ripe fruit, are showing beautiful secondary development and should continue to evolve through the late 2020s. Chardonnays are at or near peak complexity. Cabernet Sauvignons and Zinfandels from Alexander Valley and Dry Creek Valley remain structured and age-worthy, with the best examples built to improve through the early 2030s.

• Pinot Noir: Entering a rewarding drinking window in 2026, with peak drinking likely through 2028-2030
• Chardonnay: At or near peak drinking in 2026, with freshness still intact in well-cellared bottles
• Cabernet Sauvignon: Still building; finest examples from Alexander Valley will peak in the late 2020s to early 2030s
• Zinfandel: Drinking beautifully now, with structure for further development through 2028

The 2019 vintage earned strong praise from critics and sits comfortably among Sonoma's best recent years. Wine Spectator's Vintage Chart awards it 95 points, while critic Jeb Dunnuck described it as comparable in quality to 2016, 2017, and 2018, calling it 'a buyer's paradise' with beautiful wines across all appellations and price points. Unlike the fire-disrupted 2017 vintage or the extreme heat of some prior years, 2019's combination of a cool, long growing season and largely clean harvest created wines with natural balance. The season differed sharply from the record-large 2018 vintage in character: where 2018 was generous and opulent, 2019 is more precise, restrained, and terroir-driven, with an overall crop yield slightly smaller than the bumper 2018 crop.

• Wine Spectator rates 2019 Sonoma at 95 points with a 'Hold' recommendation
• Jeb Dunnuck ranks 2019 alongside 2016, 2017, and 2018 in quality; slightly behind the exceptional 2018
• Cool, long season produced more precise, lower-alcohol wines compared to warmer California vintages
• 2019 yield at approximately 4.2 million tons statewide, modestly below the record 2018 crop