Escape To… The Land of Wine - California!! Part 4

DISCOVER CALIFORNIA WINES AND WINERIES:

10) Napa County - At more than 400,000 acres, the Napa Valley AVA encompasses nearly all of the county of Napa and includes 14 AVAs within it. It is also part of the larger North Coast AVA. While Napa Valley produces only 4 percent of California’s wine, it’s the state’s most famous wine region, best known for its powerful Cabernet Sauvignons, and also for Merlot and Chardonnay. Yet Napa Valley is as diverse as any AVA in the state, also producing Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah and Zinfandel. Napa Valley is bordered by the Vaca mountains on the east and the Mayacamas range on the west, a boundary it shares with Sonoma County. Vineyard elevations range from 250 to 2,500 feet, and temperatures can vary by 10 degrees between Napa to the south and Calistoga in the warmer north. Napa Valley’s most recognized AVAs include Howell Mountain, Los Carneros, Oakville, Rutherford, St. Helena, Spring Mountain District, Stags Leap District, Atlas Peak, Diamond Mountain and Yountville.
For more information contact: Napa Valley Vintners at  www.napavintners.com.  Best Known Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot & Pinot Noir. Up and Coming Varieties: Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah & Zinfandel.
American Viticultural Areas: Atlas Peak - The mountain districts that ring the Napa Valley, Mt. Veeder, Spring Mountain, Diamond Mountain, Howell Mountain and Atlas Peak all produce Cabernet Sauvignons with powerful structure and concentration from lean, rocky mountain and hillside soils, but each of the peaks has a subtle style of its own due to differences in climate, soils and sun exposures. Mountain vineyards produce some of Napa Valley’s most stylish and age-worthy wines, and visiting the mountain wineries offers a respite from the bustle of the valley below. Of the five mountain AVA’s all are focused on Cabernet, now including Atlas Peak, which had in the past been heavily planted to Sangiovese and Chardonnay.

Chiles Valley, Diamond Mountain - The mountain districts that ring the Napa Valley, Mt. Veeder, Spring Mountain, Diamond Mountain, Howell Mountain and Atlas Peak all produce Cabernet Sauvignons with powerful structure and concentration from lean, rocky mountain and hillside soils, but each of the peaks has a subtle style of its own due to differences in climate, soils and sun exposures. Mountain vineyards produce some of Napa Valley’s most stylish and age-worthy wines, and visiting the mountain wineries offers a respite from the bustle of the valley below. Of the five mountain AVA’s all are focused on Cabernet, now including Atlas Peak, which had in the past been heavily planted to Sangiovese and Chardonnay.

Howell Mountain - The mountain districts that ring the Napa Valley, Mt. Veeder, Spring Mountain, Diamond Mountain, Howell Mountain and Atlas Peak all produce Cabernet Sauvignons with powerful structure and concentration from lean, rocky mountain and hillside soils, but each of the peaks has a subtle style of its own due to differences in climate, soils and sun exposures. Mountain vineyards produce some of Napa Valley’s most stylish and age-worthy wines, and visiting the mountain wineries offers a respite from the bustle of the valley below. Of the five mountain AVA’s all are focused on Cabernet, now including Atlas Peak, which had in the past been heavily planted to Sangiovese and Chardonnay.

Los Carneros - Los Carneros is located at the base of the Napa and Sonoma valleys where the two come together in an alluvial plain near the by the San Pablo Bay (a northern extension of San Francisco Bay). Cooled by the nearby water, Los Carneros produces excellent Pinot Noir and Chardonnay as well as top rate sparkling wine. Syrah and Merlot can also shine in Carneros, which is less than an hour’s drive from San Francisco.

Mt. Veeder - The mountain districts that ring the Napa Valley, Mt. Veeder, Spring Mountain, Diamond Mountain, Howell Mountain and Atlas Peak all produce Cabernet Sauvignons with powerful structure and concentration from lean, rocky mountain and hillside soils, but each of the peaks has a subtle style of its own due to differences in climate, soils and sun exposures. Mountain vineyards produce some of Napa Valley’s most stylish and age-worthy wines, and visiting the mountain wineries offers a respite from the bustle of the valley below. Of the five mountain AVA’s all are focused on Cabernet, now including Atlas Peak, which had in the past been heavily planted to Sangiovese and Chardonnay. 

Napa Valley - North Coast: Oakville - Cabernet Sauvignon is king in the Oakville District of Napa Valley, though other grapes certainly also grow well here. This two mile wide swath across the heart of the valley is home to many of California’s iconic ‘cult’ Cabernet producers like Screaming Eagle, Dalla Valle and Harlan Estate as well as larger producers like Robert Mondavi and Joseph Phelps Vineyards. Many Oakville growers have tasting rooms that are open year-round to visitors, but many others require appointments for tours and tastings. It’s best to check your favorite winery’s web site for tour and tasting information before your visit.

Rutherford - Napa Valley’s Rutherford District boasts some of the finest Cabernet Sauvignon in the valley, or for that matter in the world. Rutherford Cabernet is famous for its concentration and supple texture as well as the characteristic “Rutherford Dust” flavor on the wine’s long finish. The AVA also produces terrific Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc. The Rutherford Dust Society is an organization of local wineries and growers that have banded together to promote Rutherford wines. Each December they organize a passport weekend during which visitors can taste wines at many participating wineries for a flat fee. 

Spring Mountain District - The mountain districts that ring the Napa Valley, Mt. Veeder, Spring Mountain, Diamond Mountain, Howell Mountain and Atlas Peak all produce Cabernet Sauvignons with powerful structure and concentration from lean, rocky mountain and hillside soils, but each of the peaks has a subtle style of its own due to differences in climate, soils and sun exposures. Mountain vineyards produce some of Napa Valley’s most stylish and age-worthy wines, and visiting the mountain wineries offers a respite from the bustle of the valley below. Of the five mountain AVA’s all are focused on Cabernet, now including Atlas Peak, which had in the past been heavily planted to Sangiovese and Chardonnay. 

St. Helena - This warm district of northern Napa Valley between Rutherford and Calistoga is home to some of the region’s most historic wineries, including Beringer, Charles Krug and Louis Martini. The warm climate here is ideal for producing dense, fleshy Cabernet Sauvignon, and the old vine Zinfandels produced here are a special treat. 

Stag’s Leap District - Napa Valley’s Stag’s Leap District, located in a southeastern section of Napa Valley, has long produced some of Napa Valley’s most coveted Cabernet Sauvignon. The district is distinguished by the volcanic basalt outcroppings that can be seen from the Silverado Trail and have slowly been broken down over the years to become a major component of the soil below. You’ll also find outstanding Cabernet Franc and Merlot grown here.

Wild Horse Valley - Yountville - The Yountville AVA lies at the southern end of Napa Valley, just north of Carneros. Yountville’s moderately warm climate produces focused Cabernet Sauvignons renowned for their focus, elegance and age-worthiness. The AVA also produces outstanding Merlot and some excellent Chardonnay.