Lamorinda is an AVA in the hills of Contra Costa County, just east of San Francisco. With just 56 hectares (139 acres) of vineyards, it is far from being a commercial winegrowing area, instead hosting a number of small home wineries making just enough wine to satisfy the local demand. Lamorinda is a portmanteau of the local towns of Lafayette, Moraga and Orinda.
The AVA was proposed as the growers in the area found the wider San Francisco Bay and Central Coast AVA titles too generic, and not at all indicative of the terroir in their area. Lamorinda's position in the hills protects it from the famous San Francisco Bay fog, and the vineyards have far less influence from the ocean than the surrounding areas. Instead, there is a range of different mesoclimates throughout the area that are more dependent on altitude, slope and aspect of the vineyards. Cabernet Sauvignon is planted at the base of the hills, while the earlier-ripening Pinot Noir prefers the higher vineyards.
Soil is also an important consideration for Lamorinda. The hills are made of uplifted sedimentary rock, and are covered with clay-rich soils. However, these soils are thin and sandy, and this, combined with the steep slopes, makes for excellent drainage in the vineyards. The lack of water in the soil reduces the threat of mildew, and decreases vine vigor, which helps direct energy into the production of high-quality berries.
The Lamorinda AVA was proposed by a group of winemakers in the region, and was established officially in February 2016.
