Located in the northern part of SONOMA COUNTY, this APPELLATION runs from north of the town of Geyserville to just south of Healdsburg and spreads west from these towns. Most of the vineyards and wineries are scattered around Dry Creek, a tributary of the Russian River. The warmer northern and middle sections of this VITICULTURAL AREA favor ZINFANDEL grapes, which have been planted in this area since the 1880s. Other varieties that do well here include SAUVIGNON BLANC, CHARDONNAY, and CABERNET SAUVIGNON. RHÔNE varieties are increasingly being planted in some of the warmer areas as well. In the cooler southern portion (near the RUSSIAN RIVER AVA), even RIESLING can do well.