The Alexander Valley runs along the Russian River from Cloverdale in the north to Chalk Hill Road south of Healdsburg. It is bordered on the east by the Mayacamas mountains and touches Dry Creek Valley and the Russian River Valley to the west. This is famous vineyard country and is home to many premium wineries and vineyards.

Here’s what the Wine Enthusiast had to say about the Alexander Valley,

“The Alexander Valley is the most diverse grape-growing region in California’s most diverse wine county, Sonoma. This long, narrow valley, home to more than 50 wineries and 200 producers, earned its reputation with rich, fruity Zinfandels and field blends in the 19th century. Alexander Valley Chardonnays were the first in the state to be vineyard-designated, and today the region produces remarkable Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Viognier, Pinot Blanc, Syrah, and Sangiovese, and its world-class Cabernet Sauvignon competes with the best of Napa Valley. Alexander Valley remains a consistent source of both sound, inexpensive value wines, and upscale, ultrapremium bottlings.”

Alexander Valley is bordered on the east by the Mayacamas Mountains and has about 13,000 acres of vines planted at this time.

Because of the success of Cyrus Alexander and other early farmers, large parcels of land weren’t broken up into the small ranchettes common in Sonoma and Sebastopol. The large parcels make for efficient farming, but keep residential prices correspondingly high. You will find occasional small parcels for sale, but for the most part, country properties here are large farms sized to support efficient agricultural operations.