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Dunnigan Hills is a small wine-growing region located in the northern part of California's Central Valley. The area is relatively new to viticulture with the first vineyards being established in the 1980s. The area has gained recognition for its excellent production of Rhone-style wines, particularly Syrah and Viognier.
Dunnigan Hills is set in rural Yolo County, and it is characterized by its rolling hills and Mediterranean-like climate. Its warm, dry summers and mild winters offer ideal conditions for growing grapes. The region's loamy soil is another contributing factor to its high-quality wine production.
The vineyards of Dunnigan Hills sprawl across around 90,000 acres. However, only a fraction of this space is planted with grapevines due to the area's thriving olive industry. Today, the region is home to several wineries and vineyards, all committed to sustainable farming practices.
Key aspects of the Dunnigan Hills terroir are the cool maritime influences that blow in from the Pacific Ocean and the Coast Range, which provides some respite from the Central Valley heat. This significantly helps in the accumulation of flavor and color in the grapes grown here. These cooling influences make the growing season longer, which is particularly beneficial for the area's signature wine variety, Syrah.
Despite its comparatively youthful wine industry, Dunnigan Hills has established a reputation for producing distinctive, full-bodied wines with rich fruit flavors and complex layers. The region's Syrah, in particular, is highly acclaimed for its unique qualities and distinctive profile. Dunnigan Hills is an intriguing and unassuming wine region that continues to grow and make its mark in the Californian wine industry.