Funneled marine wind defines this famed, gravel-laden terrain on a severe slope of Sonoma Mountain positioned in the Petaluma Gap, creating signature structural tannins and mineral characteristics. Gap’s Crown Vineyard sits on a western hillside with northwest exposure just outside the town of Penngrove. The sub-appellation of Petaluma Gap has strong afternoon wind and a reliable dense fog bank, which benefits from the cool microclimate of the area. The nature and speed of the wind make Gap’s Crown distinctive from other winegrowing regions. Winds exceeding 20 miles per hour are not uncommon. This cooling wind tunnel effect prolongs hang times and slows photosynthesis, allowing grapes to reach physiological ripeness at lower sugar levels while maintaining ideal levels of acidity.