The
Alexander Valley (
Wappo:
Unutsawaholmanoma, "Toyon Bush Berry Place") is a
Californian American Viticultural Area (AVA) just north of
Healdsburg in
Sonoma County. It is home to many
wineries and
vineyards, as well as the city of
Cloverdale. It is the largest and most fully planted wine region in Sonoma.
Highway 101 runs through the
valley, and the
Russian River flows down the valley, surrounded by vineyards on both sides. From the higher
elevations of the valley rim, there is view as far south as
Taylor Mountain and
Sonoma Mountain. The region was named for
Cyrus Alexander, owner of a part of the
Rancho Sotoyome Mexican land grant, in 1847. Granted AVA status in 1984, the boundaries of the appellation are defined in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 27, Section 9.53.