T Alexander Road and CA 128, Healdsburg, Sonoma County, CA, 11/1/2005
Early one autumn morning in California's wine country I drove along Alexander Valley Road (CA 128) near the town of Healdsburg. Looking northeast I spotted this row of colorful liquid amber trees (Liquidambar styraciflua or American sweetgum) lining the entrance road to Alexander Valley Vineyards. In the fall these trees put on a beautiful pageant of color, and I admired the red trees, the golden vineyard behind them, and the green Mayacmas Mountains in the distance! Liquid amber is a popular ornamental tree, cultivated for its distinctive foliage and intense autumn colors. The Alexander Valley is home to many wineries and vineyards and is the largest and most fully planted wine region in Sonoma County. The valley was named in 1847 for Cyrus Alexander, owner of part of the Rancho Sotoyome Mexican land grant.
