Some may consider Petaluma new to wine growing. Its history is better remembered as being the “Egg Basket of the World.” But Petaluma’s tradition of growing grapes goes back 150 years. Over time, chicken ranches turned to dairy ranches. In recent years, Petaluma’s potential for producing premium Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah has boosted the vineyard acreage and sparked the movement for the country’s newest appellation, Petaluma Gap. “The wind and the fog are the Petaluma Gap’s trademark. The “Gap” is actually a wind gap named after a coastal mountain opening that stretches east from the Pacific through the town of Petaluma and then roars south to San Pablo Bay. ... Several Petaluma Gap winery members have tasting rooms in Petaluma where visitors can taste the depth and complexity that result from the “wind tunnel” microclimate.”
