CALIFORNIA-Napa Valley

NAPA VALLEY IS–   AVA.- 17      @Napa

  • WHITE= Chardonnay 11%, Sauvignon Blanc 4%, Albariño, Assyriko, Burger, Chenin Blanc, Furmint, Friulano, Garnacha Blanco, Gewürztraminer, Greco, Grüner Veltliner, Malvasia, Marsanne, Muscat(Alexandria), Muscat(Canelli), Muscat(Orange), Muscadelle, Pinot Gris, Ribolla Giallo, Riesling, Roussanne, Sauvignon Gris, Scheurebe, Semillon, Tocai Friulano, Vermentino, Viognier
  • RED= Cabernet Sauvignon 55%, Merlot 10%, Aleatico, Alicante Bouschet, Barbarossa, Barbera, Blaufrankisch AKA=Lemberger, Cabernet Franc, Carignan, Carmenere, Charbono, Cinsault AKA=Black Malvoisie(California-Historic), Dolcetto, Garnacha, Grand Noir, Grignolino, Malbec, Mencia, Mission, Mondeuse, Mourvedre AKA=Mataro, Negrette, Perloursin, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, Primitivo, Refosco, Sangiovese, Schioppettino, Sousao AKA=Vinão, St. Macaire, Syrah, Tempranillo, Teroldego, Touriga Nacional, Tribidrag, Valdiguie AKA=Napa Gamay, Zinfandel

GEOGRAPHY– STATE-California, REGION-Napa, COUNTY-Napa, +Latitude(38.2° to 38.7°‘N’)

  • BORDERS-Lake County(North), Sonoma County(West), Solano County(East)
  • (34 Miles Long & 4 Miles Wide), @Hw.#29/ #121/ #128/ #221/ Silverado Trail
  • 26 Miles to Pacific Ocean, 48 Miles to San Francisco 360 Miles to Los Angeles.
  • SUB-ZONES/ AVA.’S–
    • Valley Floor- Calistoga AVA., Carneros AVA., Coombsville AVA., Oak Knoll AVA., Oakville AVA., Rutherford AVA., Stags Leap AVA., St. Helena AVA., Yountville AVA., Wild Horse Valley AVA.
      • UN-OFFICIAL– American Canyon AVA., Silverado AVA.
    • Mountains- Atlas Peak AVA., Chiles Valley AVA., Diamond Mountain AVA., Howell Mountain AVA., Mount Veeder AVA., Spring Mountain AVA.
      • UN-OFFICIAL– Pope Valley AVA., Pritchard Hill AVA.

TOPOGRAPHY– FEATURES- “Flat/ Rolling/ Hilly/ Mountainous/ Terraced/ Valley(Napa)”

  • Valley Floor- +Altitude(10ft. In Carneros to 350ft. In Calistoga.)
  • Mountains- +Altitude(to 4,342ft., Vines to 2,600ft.)
  • Mayacamas Mountain Range- In Inner Coast Ranges Which Are Part of the California Coast Range System.
    • Volcanic Origins, (Eastern Exposure/ +Morning Sunlight), Separates Napa Valley From Sonoma Valley.
  • Vaca Mountain Range- In Inner Coast Ranges Which Are Part of the California Coast Range System.
    • Franciscan Formation Origins, (Western Exposure/ +Afternoon Sunlight), Separates Napa Valley From Sacramento Valley.
  • GAP/ Chalk Hill(Provides Cool Hill From Pacific Ocean/ Russian River.)
  • On~Napa~River~(Tributaries)
    • 55 Miles Long From Headwaters On Mt. St. Helena to San Pablo~Bay~
    • Napa River Flood Project–  Widening Project On 6 Miles of the River to Alleviate Potential Flood Pressure On Napa Flood Plain.
  • On~Tributaries~Napa River~
    • On~Chase~Creek~/ On~Chiles~Creek~/ On~Conn~Creek~/ On~Foss~Creek~/ On~Maxwell~Creek/  On~Mill~Creek~/ On~Rector~Creek~/ On~Ritchie~Creek~/ On~Shelby~Creek~/ On~Simmons~Creek~/ On~Sulphur~Creek~/ On~York~Creek~
  • TOPOGRAPHIC EVENTS-
    • Napa Valley is the Outcome of the 140 Million Year Process of the Collisions Between the North American Plate and the Farallon Plate and Later the Pacific Plate.
    • Sonoma Volcanic Formation- (Separates Sonoma From Napa.)
      • “Piocene Age”, Obsidian, Diatomaceous, Tuff, Pumice Deposited In Basalt Lava, Parent Earth For Many Soils to Be Eroded From.
    • Franciscan Formation-
    • Great Valley Sequence-
    • VOLCANISM~ ~Mt. St. Helena~,  ~Mt. St. George~

SOILS– “Metamorphic”, “Volcanic”, “Sedimentary”

  • 100+ Soil Variations, 33 Soil Series, Primarily Composed of Decomposed Rock From Vaca & Mayacamas Mountain Ranges, and Alluvial Soils Composed of Silt, Clay, Gravel From Napa River Flood Plain.
    • Greenstones, Deep Sea Cherts, Limestone, Sandstone, Serpentines, Shales, Loam(Bale)
  • Mayacamas Mountain Range- Predominantly Volcanic Soils.
  • Vaca Mountain Range- Predominantly Volcanic Soils, Rhyolite, Tuff
  • Underneath Napa Valley- Under the Primary Soils of Napa is…(In Order of Depth)
    • River and Bays Deposits   |   Volcanic Rock   |   Marine Sedimentary Rock   | Oceanic Crust
    • Rutherford Dust
      • **Refer to “RUTHERFORD AVA” For Detailed Information On Rutherford Dust.
  • NAPA SOIL SERIES~
    • ~Aiken Series~   ~Bale Series~   ~Boomer Series~   ~Bressa Series~    ~Clear Lake Series~
    • ~Cole Series~    ~Contra Costa Series~     ~Coombs Series~     ~Cortina Series~     ~Dale Series~     
    • ~Diablo Series~    ~Egbert Series~     ~Fagan Series~     ~Felton Series~     ~Forward Series~   
    • ~Guenoc Series~    ~Haire Series~    ~Hambright Series~    ~Henneke Series~      ~Kidd Series~    
    • ~Lodo Series~    ~Los Gatos Series~     ~Maxwell Series~   ~Maymen Series~    ~Millsholm Series~
    • ~Montara Series~   ~Perkins Series~     ~Pits Series~     ~Quarry Series~     ~Pleasanton Series~
    • ~Reyes Series~  ~Rock Outcrop Series~    ~Riverwash Series~      ~Sobrante Series~  ~Tehama Series~
    • ~Water Series~    ~Yolo Series~
  • **Refer to “GEOGRAPHY/ Soils Series” For Detailed Information.

CLIMATE– “Mediterranean” With “Continental” Influences In the Norther Valley, and “Maritime” Influences In the Southern Valley, With Many Micro Climates, Napa Valley Can Range In Temperature 25° From North End(Calistoga) to South End(Carneros).

  •  *Summers– Warm, Sunny, Cool, Foggy   |   *Winters– Cold, Wet, Rain
  • +Rain(29 in./ yr.),  +WINDS~~Carneros Express~(Originates… San Pablo Bay)
  • Winkler Climate Scale- Southern End of Valley(Region II)
    • Northern End of Valley(Region III)   |  Eastern Portion of County(Region V)
  • Heat Convection- Moist Air Move Up the Vally During the Day and Withdraws as the Evening Cools.
  • Inversion Layer- Cooler Air In Valley Pushes Hot Air Upward, 1,600 ft.- 1,800 ft.
  • Chalk Hill Gap- Gap In Mayacamus Mountains Letting In Fog From Pacific.

VITICULTURE– 504,960 ac./ 45,000 ac. Planted,  (Red 75%/ White 25%)

  • NAPA VINEYARD ACREAGE BY GRAPE
    • Cabernet Sauvignon…19,894   |   Chardonnay…7,238
    • Merlot… 5,734   |   Pinot Noir… 2,914
    • Sauvignon Blanc… 2,687   |   Zinfandel… 1,497
  • Know For High Quality Wine, Less Than 5% of California Output.
  • CHALLENGES/ Heat at Harvest, Fire, Drought
  • COOPERAGE~ ~Seguin Moreau~ French Barrel Maker Since 1838, Producing Barrels In Napa Since 1994.
  • ECONOMY~ Generally Napa’s Real Estate, Farming Costs and Wines Are Incredibly High.
  • ASSOCIATIONS~ ~Napa Valley Vintners Association NVV.~ 
    • Formed 1944 With 7 Members, Now +550 Members.
    • Mission~ “To Present a United Front” & “To Eat Drink and Be Merry.”
      •  Original 7 Members~ Beaulieu, C. Mondavi & Sons, Inglenook, Larkmead, Louis M. Martini, Louis Stralla, Napa Valley Cooperative.
  • ASSOCIATIONS~ ~Napa Valley Grapegrowers NVG.~
    • Mission– Established In 1975 as a Committe On How and When Grape Prices Are Determined.
  • ASSOCIATIONS~ ~Napa Green~
    • Mission~ To Protect and Restore the Napa River Watershed, Sanving, Energy and Water, Reducing Waste and Carbon Footprint and Being Conscientious Employers and Good Neighbors.
  • ASSOCIATIONS~ ~California Certified Organic Farmers~ CCOF.
    • Mission~ Non-Profit Organization That Advances Organic Agriculture For A Healthy World Through Organic Certification, Education and Advocacy.
  • URBAN WINE~ ~South Napa Warehouse District~ 
  • WINE & PHILOSOPHY?–“CONTENTIOUS WINE ISSUE!” “Phylloxera Was Actually a Good For the Wine Napa Wine Industry In That it had to Look at the Fundamental Processes of Growing Vines, and Forced Grape Growers to Pull and Replant Old Compromised Vines!”
    • NO…“Overall There is Nothing Good About a Insect Devastating an Entire Crop Around the World and All the Peoples Livelihood That is Associated With the Louse.”
    • YES…“In the Wake of the Phyloxera Epidemic Napa Grower Had to Take a Look at What Grapes They Were Growing and Where.  During the Replanning and Replanting Phase Growers Took the Opportunity to Plant Their Vineyards With the Correct Varieties(No Longer Was Cabernet Sauvignon Grown In Carneros and Which Was to Cool to Properly Ripen, and No More Was Pinot Noir Planted In Calistoga Which Was to Hot.), Correct Rootstock, Correct Micro-Climates, Correct Trellis System, Correct Vine Spacing and Orientation That Were Best Suited For the Vines But Never Done Because of the  Mass Overhaul of the Vineyard.”
  • WINE & PHILOSOPHY? “Should the AVA.’s of the Napa Valley Floor Be Redone In a West to East Manner Instead of the Current North to South Way It is Laid Out?”
    • “The Current Borders of the Napa Valley Floor Are North to South But the Real Difference and Nuance In the Valley Floor Lies Within the Maycamus Mountains In the West and the Vacca Mountain Range In the East and the Alluvial Fans That Run Down From Both Mountain Ranges.”
  • HISTORICAL VINEYARD SOCIETY
    • Canard/ Czapleski(HVS./*1890) @Calistoga AVA.   
    • David Fulton“Estate”(HVS./*1950’s/14.5ac.) @St. Helena AVA.  
    • Dickerson(HVS./*1920’s) @Oakville AVA.   Falleri(HVS./*1920’s/.5ac.) @Calastoga AVA.   
    • Frediani Ranch(HVS./*1930’s/21ac.) @Calistoga AVA.    
    • Gaudi Carli(HVS./*1920’s) @Calistoga AVA.  Grande(HVS./*1920’s) @Napa Valley AVA.    
    • Hayne(HVS./*1900’s) @St. Helena AVA.  Hayne(HVS./*1960’s/32ac.)@Cooombsville AVA.    
    • Jackse(HVS./*1930’s)@St. Helena AVA.  Library(HVS./*1920’s) @St. Helena AVA.    
    • MacDonald/Horton(HVS./*1873) @Oakville AVA.  Morisoli(HVS./*1900/2ac.) @Rutherford AVA.   
    • Oakville Farmhouse(HVS./*1930’s/2ac.) @Oakville AVA.   
    • Old Crane(HVS./*1880’s) @St. Helena AVA.    Old Kraft(HVS./*1890’s) @St. Helena AVA.   
    • Palisades(Block 11)(HVS./*1968/1.5ac.) @Calastoga AVA.   
    • R.W. Moore(HVS./*1900’s) @Coombsville AVA.   Tofanelli(HVS./*1920’s) @Calastoga AVA.   
    • Varozza(HVS./*1900’s)@St. Helena AVA.
  • TOP 15 GRAPES PLANTED IN 1970
    • 1) Carignane   2) Zinfandel   3) Garnacha   4) French Colombard
    • 5) Mission   6) Alicante Bouchet   7) Palomino   8) Cabernet Sauvignon
    • 9) Petite Sirah   10) Chenin Blanc   11) Pinot Noir   12) Ruby Cabernet 
    • 13) Rubired   14) Royalty    15) Burgur   16) Mataro   17) Valdepenas
    • 18) Salvador   19) Gamay   20) Chardonnay

VINICULTURE– No Chaptization, Grape Concentrate Addition Allowed.

HISTORY

  • PRE-PROHIBITION AGE (1836 to 1920)
    • 1836 @Oakvill, Rutherford, Yountville– “Land Grand”
      • Land Grand(Rancho Caymus) Given to George Yount.
    • 1836 @Yountville– “Viticulture”, George Yount Planted First Vineyards In Napa.
    • 1848 @Sierra– “Gold Rush”, Gold at Sutter’s Mills, Influx of European Settlers.
    • 1850 @Oak Knoll– Joseph Osborne Planted 1,800ac. In Oak Knoll
    • 1850 @California– Became a State
    • 1850 @Napa– Samuel Brannan, Plant 100ac. Acagua Caliete Ranch.
    • 1854 @Napa– John Patchett, Open Napa’s First Official Winery.
    • 1861 @St. Helena– Charles Krug, Plant Vines, Established Charles Krug Winery.
    • 1862 @St. Helena– German Jacob Schram Establishes Schramsberg Winery.
    • 1874 @St Helena– Joseph Ghisletta, Plants Sunny St. Helena Winery.
    • 1876 @St. Helena– German Jacob & Fredrick Beringer,  Establishes Beringer Winery.
    • 1877 @Napa– “Phylloxera”, Phylloxera Hits Napa Valley.
    • 1877 @Howell Mountain– Jean Brun & WJ. Chaix Plants First Vineyards.
    • 1879 @Calastoga– Finland Gustave Niebaum, Established Inglenook.
    • 1880 @Pritchard Hill– Charles Pritchard Planted Zinfandel.
    • 1881 @Oakville– Hamilton Crab, Planted 119ac. Vineyard That Became To-Kolon.
    • 1854 @Calastoga– “Viticulture”, Alfred Tubbs, Planted and Build Chateau Montelena.
    • 1890 @Napa– “Viticulture”, Pre 1900’s Planting Boom
    • 1890’s @Napa– “Phylloxera”, Hits Napa Valley Again.
    • 1895 @Rutherford– Thomas Rutherford, Plants Vineyards, Becomes Rutherford.
    • 1920 @America– “Prohibition”, January 17th. 1920 to December 5th. 1933, When Napa Reemerged From Prohibition Everything Needed to Be Rethought, Re-Done or Replaced.
    • IMPORTANT PRE-PROHIBITION WINERIES
      • Beringer, Inglenook, BV.
    • PREDOMINAT PRE-PROHIBITION GRAPES
      • White= Flame Tokay, Furmint, Green Hungarian, Muscat, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Vert, Semillon
      • Red= Cabernet Franc, Carmenere, Gamay, Grenache, Hamburg, Malbec, Muscadelle, Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel
  • PRE-PROHIBITION (Before 1920)
    • Before Prohibition There Where 121 Wineries, Working 16,000 ac.
  • POST-PROHIBITION (1933 to Mid 1960’s)
    • 1930’s @America– Great Depression
    • 1944 @Napa– Seven Members Formed Napa Valley Vintners Association.
    • IMPORTANT POST-PROHIBITION WINERIES
      • “The Big Four” Beaulieu Vineyard, Krug, Martini, Ingleno0k,
      • Freemark Abbey, Mayacaymas, Stonyhill
    • PREDOMINANT POST-PROHIBITON GRAPES
      • White= Riesling, Muscat Alexandria
      • Red= Alicante Bouschet, Carignane, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel
  • SILVER AGE (Mid 1960’s to 1980’s)
    • 1960’s @Napa– “Wine Renaissance”
      • New Generation Bringing: New Ideas, Passion, Technologies, Dedication, Wineries, Facilities, Viniculture Techniques.
    • 1965 @Oakville– Robert Mondavi, Leaved Krug to Start Robert Mondavi Winery.
    • 1975’s @Napa– “Irrigation”, Drip Irrigation Introduced
      • Stabilized Napa Growing, Increasing Yields and Helps Expand Vineyards to Areas of Valley.
    • 1976 @Paris– “Judgement of Paris”  
      • **Refer to “JUDGEMENT Of PARIS” For Detailed Information.
    • 1983 @Napa– Robert Mondavi & Philippe de Rothschild Collaborate on Opus One.
    • 1980 @Napa– “Phylloxera”, Hits In Late 80’s and Early 90‘s.
      • Replanting Took Place With a Better More Resistant Root-Stock Than AXR-1.
    • 1983 @Napa– “Wine Law”, Napa Valley Became California First AVA..
    • IMPORTANT “SILVER AGE” WINERIES
      • Chappelle, Heitz, Mondavi, Stags Leap Wine Cellars, Sterling
  • MODERN AGE/ CULT ERA (1990 to Late 2000’s)
  • NEW GENERATION (2010 to ?)
    • 2014 @Napa– On August 14, Magnitude 6 Earthquake Caused by the West Napa Fault.
    • 2014 @Napa– “Fire-Storms”, Fires Rendered Much of Grapes Bad.

CULTURE–  “…and the Wine is Bottled Poetry…”

  • Napa Has Branded Itself Premier Wine-Tourist/ Wine Lifestyle Destination.
  • Zinfandel Steamer- Late 1800’s a Steam Liner Ship Would Regularly Travel From Napa to San Francisco to Pick Up and Deliver Wine.
  • Judgement of Paris– After Visiting Napa Steven Spurrier, an English Wine Merchant Living In France, Conducted a Blind-Tasting Wine Competition In France Putting California Wine Against French Wines. French Critics Score Chardonnay From Chateau Montelena, Over Puligny-Montrachet and Cabernet Sauvignon From Stags Leap Cellars Over Mouton Rothschild and Haut-Brion. The “Exposure” In a “Time Magazine Article” Put Napa Along With France Atop of the World Wine Scene.
  • Napa Original Cult Wines/ 1st. Growth– (Un-Official)
    • Araho, Bryant Family, Behrens & Hitchcock, Colgin, Dalla Valle, Grace Family, Harlan, Screaming Eagle(1992 Considered 1st. Napa Cult Cab.), Paulmyer, Heitz(Martha Vineyard)
  • Ghost Winery– Napa Wineries Built Between 1860 and 1920, But Had to Close During Prohibition or Change Their Crops.
    • Ghost Wineries of Napa~
      • Freemark Abbey, Chateau Montelena, Far Niente, Frog’s Leap, Ladera
  • WINE FESTIVAL~ ~Bottle Rock~ (May)
    • ~Napa Valley Wine Festival~ (July)      ~Napa Valley Film Festival~ (November)
  • PIONEERS~  ~Charles Krug~ “1861”, Open First Commercial Winery In Napa.
    • ~Caldwell, John~ One of Coombville Original: Vine Propagator/ Smuggler.
    • ~Carole, Meredith~ Owner Winemaker Lagier Meredith, Helped Solved Mystery of Zinfandel.
    • ~Chiles, Joseph~ “1841”, Awarded Original Land Grant, Planted First Vines.
    • ~Dunn, Randy~ One of Howell Mountain Original Grape Grower.
    • ~Emmolo, Salvatore~ Own a Rootstock Business In Napa After Prohibition.
    • ~Fay, Nathan~ First to Plant Vine In Stags Leap District AVA.
    • ~Heitz, Joe~ “1966”, Planted Martha’a Vineyard In St. Helena.
    • ~De Latour, George~ Started Beaulieu Vineyards, Influential In Napa Culture.
    • ~Long, Zelma~ “South Africa/ California”, “1945- ”
      • Enologist, Vinter, Simi Winery, One of First Female Winemakers In Napa Valley.
    • ~Mondavi, Robert~ Legend In Influencing Napa and Branding Throughout the World.
    • ~Niebaum, Gustave~  “1880’s”, Fur Trader Who Built Inglenook and Became an Early Pioneers.
    • ~Pritchard, Charles~ “1890”, Planted First Vines On Pritchard Mountain.
    • ~Schram, Jacob~ “1868”, Planted First Vines On Diamond Mountain.
    • ~Tchelistcheff, Andre~ Led Beaulieu Vineyards In Post Prohibition Era.
      • Inspired, Educated New Area of Winemaking Based On Hygiene and Quality Control.
    • ~Vedeer, Peter~ “1864”, Planted First Vines On Mount Veeder.
    • ~Yount, George~ “1831”, Help Settle Napa and Yountville Was Named After.
  • POLITICS~
    •  ~Napa Valley Hillside Ordinance~
      • Prohibits New Planting of Hillsides With Grades Greater Than 22.5%.
    • ~Napa County Watershed and Oak Woodland Protection Initiative~
    • “Napa Isn’t In the Wine Business, They’re In the Real Estate Business.”
  • NAPA VALLEY WINE AUCTION~ Generous Napa Valley Wine Makers Auction Off “One of a Kind” Wines to Benefit Great Causes Like Community Health and Children’s Education Nonprofit Services.
    • It Lends Itself the Unique Opportunity For Wine Merchants and Collectors to Get Wines From High-End Producers That Aren’t Available Anywhere Else.
  • ACADEMICS~
    • ~Napa Valley College~     @Napa, California
      • Specialization~ 3 Viticulture and Enology Degree Programs.
  • WINNER “Worlds Best”~ DtheV.com Awards “Worlds Best Terroir” (3rd. Place)
    • **Refer to “WINE CULTURE/ Derek’s Top 6 List” For Detailed Information.
  • Brother/ Sister- Napa is Known to Have a “Big Brother/ Little Sister” Relationship With Sonoma.
  • Zipies- Wine Maker Who Have a Napa Zip Code, But Owns No Vineyards or Brick and Mortar.

GOING THERE

  • TIPS FOR GOING THERE
    • Spend Day/ Time at Wineries On Valley Floor.
    • Spend Day/ Time at Wineries In Mountains.
    • Sign Up For a Guided Tour at One of the Historical Vineyards.
    • Eat at One of the Many Michelin Starred Restaurants.
    • Stay at a Luxury Hotel, or Stay at a Moderately Priced Hotel.
    • Spend Time In Downtown Napa at Night After Wineries Are Closed For the Day.
    • Do a Non Wine Related Thing.
    • Walk Around a High-End Estate Property That You Can’t Afford to Do a Tasting at.
    • Bus Tour- If Staying In San Francisco, Take an All Day Shuttle-Bus Tour of Napa.
      • (Companies Will Pick You Up at You San Francisco Hotel and Drop You Off After a Day of Wine Tasting.)
  • BEST MOUNTAIN WINERIES WITH A VIEW~ Cade, Mayacamus, Robert Craig, Sterling
  • WINE TRAIN~ Take Trip Up and Down the Valley Floor On Historic 1900’s Era Pullman Passenger Train.
    • Train Runs From Downtown Napa to St. Helena and Back.
  • AFTER DARK/ AT NIGHT~(Down-Town Napa)- Archer Hotel(50 Foot, Wall Raised-Releif Map), Benevolent Neglect*(TR.), Bounty Hunter, Cadet Wine Bar, Carpe Diem, Compline, Rebel Vintners, Vintners Collective(TR.), Wine Thief.
  • NON-WINE RELATED~ 
    • ~Old Faithful Geyer~   ~Petrified Forest~   ~Mud Baths~   
    • ~Christopher Hill Art Gallery~  ~Napa Valley Horse Riding Ranch~
    • ~St. Helena Health Spa~   ~Go to Oakville Grocery For Picnic Supples~
    •  ~V Market Place~   ~Napa Valley Museum~
    • ~Go to Yountville Market For Picnic Supples~  ~Napa Bike Rental~
    •  ~Take a Drive and Stop and Smell the Air & Vineyards~
    • ~Canoe/ Kayak Napa River~   ~Golf~  ~In-Shape Gym/Downtown~
    • Hikes/ Trails- 
    • ~Oak Hill Mine Trail~   ~Bothe State Park Hike~   
    • ~Hike the Palisades Trail~   ~Hike the Rim of the Volcanic Caldera~
    • ~Hike the Marsh Lands Sanctuary of San Pablo Bay~
    • ~Westwood Hills Park Hike~   ~Mount Saint Helena Radio Towers Trail~
    • Bike-
    •  ~Napa Valley Vine Trail (25 Mile Round Trip From Napa-City to Yountville)~

**Refer to “CALIFORNIA/ Overview” For Detailed Information On California as a Wine State.

NAPA COUNTY     @Napa

  • GEOGRAPHY- California, REGION-Napa(Greater)
  • VITICULTURE– Labeled– “NAPA COUNTY”  Wine Produced Non-Conforming to an AVA.
    • Estate/ Producers-(Not Found In Demarcated Sub-AVA.)– AJ Pearce, Ancien, Backstage, Buoncristiani Family, Brace & Bite, Cadie Family, Dirty & Rowdy, Fayard, Flanagan, Hendry(*1859), Hertelaendy, Kale, Keep Wines(J. Roberts), Keplinger, Leaf & Vine, LJ Crafted Wines, Longfellow, Nellcote, Nichelini, Le Pich, Purlieu, Roy, Solamente, Tournesol, Uncharted Wine, Vinoce
    • Vineyards-(Not located In Demarcated Sub-AVA.)– Backstage, Bengier(Vare), Borreo Ranch, Broken Rock(48ac.), Catacula, Dollarhide(500ac.), Grande(HVS.,*1920’s), Guck, Hansen, Kettle, Lampyridae, Melchoir Kemper, Moore-Earthquake, Razi, Soltan, Swing, Nichelini“Estate”, Ryan’s, Sage Ridge(60ac.), Sugarloaf,  Suscol(91ac.), Watson Ranch

**Napa Images Courtesy of “Delong Maps”, Purchase These Maps at Delong Maps.com

North Napa Valley Floor

  • GEOGRAPHY–  North Valley– Calistoga to Rutherford, +Altitude(400ft.), +Rain(40in. to 55in./ yr.)
  • TOPOGRAPHY– “Flat/ Rolling/ Hilly/ Mountainous”

CALISTOGA AVA.     @Calistoga

  • WHITE= Chardonnay, Furmint, Ribolla Gialla, Tocia Friulano, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier
  • RED= Cabernet Sauvignon 60%, Zinfandel 15%, Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Charbono, Malbec, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot, Syrah, Tempranillo, Touriga Nacional, Valdiquie
  • GEOGRAPHY- California, REGION-Napa, In Napa Valley AVA.(North), @Hw.#29/ Silverado Trail
    • (Northernmost Napa Valley“Floor” AVA.), North-West of Napa-City(27mi.)
    • BORDERS-St. Helena AVA./Bale Lane(South), Diamond Mountain AVA.(S0uth-West)
    • Sub-Zones– Calistoga Canyon, Dutch Henry Canyon
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling/ Hilly/ Gap(Chalk Hill)”, *Alluvial Fans
    • SLOPES/ Mayacamas Mountain Range(Palisades Mountains), +Altitude(300ft. to 1,200ft.)
    • On~Shelby/ Simmons~Creek~Tributary~Napa~River~
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Volcanic”, “Sedimentary”,  *Alluvial Fans, Cobles
    • Upper-Slopes- “Volcanic”   |   Lower-Slopes– “Sedimentary”
  • CLIMATE- “Continental” With “Mediterranean” Influences
    • Warmest AVA. In Napa Valley, GAPS/~Chalk Hill~
  • VITICULTURE- 12,675 ac., 2,500 ac. Planted,  2009- AVA. Was Officially Established.
    • Estate/ Producers– Amici Cellars/ Palisades, Araujo, Aubert, August Briggs, Biale, Barlow, Bennett Lane, Canard(25ac.), Chateau Montelena*(95ac.), Clos Pegase(E.), Cuvaison, Davis(E.), Dutch Henry, Eisele, Envy Wines*, Frank Family, Heibel Ranch, Huge Bear, Jax, Jericho Canyon, Kenefick, Kinsman Eades, Larkmead(E./*1885/110ac.), Laura Micheal, Lava Wine, Madrigal, Massican, Paoletti, Schrader, La Sirena, Sterling*, Stonybrook, Summers, Switchback Ridge, Tamber Bey, Tank Garage, Tedeschi, Theorem, Tom Eddy, Twomey, Venge(12ac.), Vermeil*, Vincent Arroyo
    • Vineyards– Aguila, Ala, Amoenus, Arboles, Bone Ash, Calistoga, Canard/Czapleski(HVS.,*1890), Casa Blanca, Cloudy’s(2ac.), Coyote, Deming, Eisele(*1971/38ac.), Falleri(HVS.,*1920/.5ac.), Fisher, Frediani Ranch(HVS./*1930’s/21ac.), Gaudi Carli(HVS./*1920’s), Godward, Jardin, Jericho Canyon“Estate”, Keneflick Ridge, Loma, Luvisi, Lynch, Meadows, Mill Creek, Monitor Ledge, Olivos, Viejos, Palisades(Block 11(HVS./*1968/1.5ac.), Paloma, Parr, Peterson, Piedras, Pocai(*1906), Plurbus, Rincon, Rockerbox, Romeo, Rosedale, Sherry’s Ace(1.2ac.), Stella Knight(8.5ac.), Tecolote, Three Palms(83ac.), Tofanelli(HVS./*1920’s), La Voleuse(1ac.), Walnut Wash, Winfield
  • GOING THERE- FESTIVALS~ ~Calistoga Wine Festival~ (May)
    • WINE TOURS~ Chateau Montelena, Sterling
    • AFTER DARK~ ~Downtown Calistoga Tasting Rooms~
    • NON-WINE RELATED~ ~Old Faithful Geyer~   ~Petrified Forest~   ~Mud Baths~
      • ~Oak Hill Mine Trail~   ~Bothe State Park Hike~   ~Hike to Mt. St. Helena Trail~
      •   ~Hike Robert Louis Stevenson State Park~

St. HELENA AVA.      @St. Helena

  • WHITE= Burger, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Malvasia, Muscadelle, Muscat Alexandria, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier
  • RED= Cabernet Sauvignon 40%, Alicante Bouschet, Barbarossa, Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Carignan, Cinsault, Garnacha, Grand Noir, Merlot, Mission, Peloursin, Pinot Meunier, Petit Verdot, Petite Syrah, Refosco, Sangiovese, Sousao AKA=Vinão, Syrah, Zinfandel
  • GEOGRAPHY- California, REGION-Napa, In Napa Valley AVA.(North)
    • North-West of Napa-City(18mi.)
    • BORDERS-Calistoga AVA.(North-West), Spring Mountain AVA.(West/Below), Rutherford AVA.(South-East)
    • Sub-Zones- Deer Park, North Valley, Spring Valley, Valley Floor
    • @Hw.#29/ Silverado Trail, Bale Lane, Zinfandel Lane
    • CONN VALLEY–
      • Estates/ Producers– Anderson’s Conn Valley, Bond-Melbury, Buehler, Fairchild-Sigaro, Neyers, Seavey, Stone the Crows Three Twins
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling/ Hilly”
    • SLOPES/ Mayacamas Mountain Range(Glass Mountain)(West), Vacca Mountain Range(East)
      • +Altitude(200ft. to 475ft.)
    • Valley Comes Together In a S Shaped Curve, On~Sulfur~Creek~to~Napa~River~
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Volcanic”, “Sedimentary”,~Bale Series~(Gravel- Loam)
    • Alluvial Fan, Gravel-Benchlands, Clay, Cobble, Tufa
  • CLIMATE- “Continental” With “Mediterranean” Influences, +Rain(39in./ yr.)
  • VITICULTURE- 9,000ac. Planted,  1995- AVA. Officially Established.
    • Estates/ Producers– Abreu, Accendo, Alejandro Bulgheroni(E./15ac.), Allora, Auburn James, AXR, Ballentine(*1906), Beckstoffer, Behrens, Bennessere, Beringer, Boswell, Brasswood, Burgess, Calafia, Casa Nuestra, Charles Krug(*1861/145ac.), Colin, Corison(Kathy)(19ac.), Conn Creek, David Fulton, Duckhorn*, Ehlers(E./42ac.), Failla, Flora Springs(E./98ac.), Freemark Abbey, Forman(E./28.5ac.), Frogs Leap, Gallica, Grace Family, Hall, Hundred Acre, Jackse, J. Lohr, J. Phelps, Keenan(E.), L. Martini, Long Medow Ranch, Macauley, Markham(E.), Marryvale, Melka, Newton, Orin Swift, Paloma, Paulownia, Priest Ranch, Revana, Rombauer*, Salvestrin, Seavey(E./40ac.), Seven Stones(2.5ac.), Somnium, Spottswoode(E.), Stony Hill, Sutter Home, Terra Valentine, Titus, Trinchero, Trujillo, Tudal, V. Madrone, V. Sattui, Varozza, Venge(E./17ac.),Viader, Vineyard 29, Vine Cliff, V. Suttui*(*1885), William Cole, Yao Family, Young Family(Venn)
    • Vineyards– 887, Bartolucci, Beckstrom, Betty’s(*1944), Bourn(12ac.), Bressler, Cariad(8ac.), Carol’s(31ac.), Cemetery, Centa, Chabot, Chafen(22ac.), Cornelius Grove, Criscione(9ac.), David Fulton“Estate”(HVS./*1950’s/14.5ac.), Decker, Denali, Dickerson, Dos A Dos, Del Dotto, Dr. Crane(21ac.), Dragonfly, Edge Hill, Ehlers“Estate”, Farella, Fawn ParkFew and Far Between, Fig Tree(*1949), Forman“Estate”(28.5ac.), Garden, Glass Mountain, Grace Family“Estate”, Haas, Hayne(HVS.,*1900’s), Home Ranch(124ac.), Hourglass, Jackse“Estate”(HVS./*1930’s), Jumping Goat(3.5ac.), Komes Ranch, Kronos(8ac.), Leonardini(14ac.), Levensohn, Lewelling(80ac.), Library(HVS./*1920’s), Lotus, Madrona Ranch, Marlee’s, Melbury, Montbleau(2ac.), Old Crane(HVS./*1880’s), Old Kraft(HVS./*1890’s), P & J, Panek, Pellet, Las Piedras(22ac.), Pocai, Quella, Revana“Estate”, Rossi, Ruston, Quella(9ac.), Salvestrin“Estate”, Silver Seeker, Spottswoode“Estate”, St. Helena Home, Stony Hill“Estate”, Sunbasket(7ac.), Titus, Tychson(6ac.), Varozza(HVS./*1900’s), Vida Valiente, Vittorio’s, Yewell, Young Inglewood, Yount Mill
  • CULTURE-
    • PIONEERS~ ~Charles Krug~ “1861” Open First Commercial Winery In Napa.
    • PIONEERS~ ~Gustave Niebaum~ “1880’s” Finnish Fur Trader.
      • Built Inglenook Estate and Was One of the Early Pioneers of the Napa Valley.
    • PIONEERS~ ~Joe Phelps~ “1970” Pioneer of the Modern Napa Movement and Leader to Many.
    • ACADEME~ ~Culinary Institute of America at Greysonte~ CIA.
  • GOING THERE-  WINE TOURS~  Duckhorn, Rombauer, Freemark Abbey
    • NON-WINE RELATED~  ~Wine Tasting In a Cave~,  ~Christopher Hill Art Gallery~
      • ~St. Helena Health Spa~, ~V. Suttui Artisan Italian Deli/ Marketplace~
      • ~Hike- Moore Creek Park~

RUTHERFORD AVA.     @Rutherford

  • WHITE= Sauvignon Blanc 9%, Chardonnay, Semillon
  • RED= Cabernet Sauvignon 66%, Merlot 8%, Cabernet Franc, Carmenere, Grignolino, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Sangiovese, Syrah, Zinfandel
  • GEOGRAPHY– California, REGION-Napa, In Napa Valley AVA.(Central)
    • North of Napa-City(14mi.), @Hw.#29/ #128/ Silverado Trail/ Rutherford Crossing, Zinfandel Lane
    • BORDERS-St. Helena AVA.(North-West), Oakville AVA.(South-East)
    • Sub-Zones- Western Benchlands(Rutherford Bench), Valley Floor, Eastern Hillside
  • TOPOGRAPHY– “Flat/ Rolling/ Hilly”
    • SLOPES/ Mayacamas Mountain Range(West), Vacca Mountain Range(East)
      • +Altitude(155ft. to 500ft.)Max….750ft.)
    • On~Conn~Creek~Tributary~Napa~River~/ On~Lake~Hennessey~
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Volcanic”, “Sedimentary”, Cobble, Tufa
    • West– Dominated by Two Alluvial Fans of Clay/ Bale Loams From the Mayacamas Mountain Range.  These Fans Are Referred to as the Rutherford Fan Complex.
    • “Rutherford/ Oakville Benches”, 2,500ac., Slightly Elevated Bench That Runs 6 Miles Through Rutherford & Oakville. The Benches Were Formed by 3 Alluvial Fans Composed of Colluvial and Fluvial Soils That Formed at the Base of the East Facing Maycaymas Mountain Range. The Deposited Gravel, Sand, Silt and Clay Are All Well Drained and Allow For Deep Root Systems Which Produces High Quality Grapes.
    • The Boundaries of the Rutherford/ Oakville Bench Have Been Disputed For Decades But Generally Are Considered South of Bale Slough In Rutherford to North of Dwyer Road In Oakville and East to Highway 29. (Some Consider the East Boundary to Be the Napa River.)
    • ~Rutherford Dust~ Term Coined by Andre Tchelischeff/ Maynard Amerine to Describe the Soil and the Sensory Quality of the “Bench” Wines.  The Sandy-Loam “Dust” That the Vineyards Possess is Said to Express Wine That Exhibit Dusty, Cherry, Plum and Fine-Grain Tannin With All-Spice Notes.
  • CLIMATE- “Mediterranean”, +Rain(38in./yr.)
  • VITICULTURE- 3,518 ac./ 6,840 ac. Planted.  |   1993- AVA. Officially Established.
      • First Napa AVA. to Achieve 100% Participation In the Sustainable Winegrowing Cerificaiton.
    • Estates/ Producers–(72)– Alpha Omega(E./11ac.), Beaulieu(E./150ac.), Beckstoffer, Bella Oaks, Cakebread*(E./61ac.), Caymas*(E./73ac.), Chavez & Leeds(E./36ac.), Conn Creek(E./6ac.), Dana, Del Dotto(12ac.), Elizabeth Spencer, Fleury(E./10ac.), Foley Johnson, Franciscan(E./20ac.), Frogs Leap(E./39ac.), Grgich Hills*(E./21.5ac.), Hall, Heitz*, Hewitt(E./12ac.), Honig(E./67ac.), Inglenook(E./235ac.), Lieff(E./21ac.), Martin(E./12ac.), Mumms, Neyers, Peju(E./30ac.), Pina(E./23ac.), Prestoni, Provenance(E./60.5ac.), Quarry(E./88ac.), Quintessa(160ac.), Raymond(E./88ac.), Round Pond(E.), Rutherford Grove(E./9ac.), Rutherford Hill(E./29ac.), Rutherford Ranch, Rutherford Wine, Sawyer(E./40ac.), Scarecrow, Seabird, Sequoia Grove*(E./24ac.), Slaughterhouse St. Supery*(E./57ac.), Staglin(E./64ac.), Sullivan(E./40ac.), Swanson(E./18.5ac.), The Terraces, Tayson Pierce, Tonella, Tres Sabores, Wheeler Farms, Whitehall Lane(E./23ac.), Wildwood(E./73ac.), William Harrison, ZD
    • Vineyards- 1155, 4415, AJM(9ac.), Alsace, Auberge du Soleil(24ac.), Aubert(5ac.), Avenali(27ac.), Bakar(31ac.), Banca Dorada(33.5ha.), Beaulieu“Estate”, Beckstoffer Georges III(113ac.), Bella Oaks“Estate”, Bello(5ac.), Bensen(7ac.), Berliner(5ac.), Biel(18ac.), Blank(1.7ac.), Boddum(21ac.), Bommarito(25ac.), Bosche(30ac.), Boschwitz(8ac.), Bradford(78ac.), Calkins(5ac.), Campbell(10ac.), Carpy Connolly, C.C. Ranch(115ac.), Chavez Leeds, Chow(10ac.), Circa, City of Napa(240ac.), Cook(5ac.), Corbett, Cottage Gardener(9.5ac.), Craig(38ac.), Crull(21ac.), Dana“Estate”(28ac.), Davie Pina(4ac.), DeCarle, Deichen(21ac.), Del Bondio(31ac.), Del Dotto“Estate”(16ac.), Delimur(6ac.), Denend(30ac.), Dollarhide, Don Thomas, Doyle(8ac.), E. Mee(15ac.), Emmolo(51ac.), Evnin(60ac.), Ferguson(20ac.), Flora Springs(330ac.), Fogarty(11ac.), Franklin, G3, Gallegos(14ac.), Galleron(10ac.), Garvey, Georges III(251ac.), Georges de LaTour(130ac.), Glos(3ac.), Goodward(10ac.), Green(15ac.), Greer(7ac.), Hall(40ac.), Haworth, Helms, Holden(6ac.), Holland, Hornberger(16.6ac.), Hozhoni(18ac.), Hudson, I Block, Inglenook“Estate”, Ithaca(63ac.), J.J. Cohn(22ac.), Kroeber(35ac.), Laird(24ac.), Landry(64ac.), Leonardini(19ac.), Lieff(21ac.), Longstreth(15ac.), Lee Lane, Mathison(6ac.), McGah(43ac.), Melbury(7ac.), Melrose(82ac.), Millennium(20ac.), Montgomery(6ac.), Morisoli(HVS./*1900/2ac.), Morrow(8ac.), Navone(33ac.), Patriarch Winston Hill, Perret(5ac.), Patterson(5ac.), Pina, Pina, White(22ac.), Ponti(4ac.), Press(40ac.), Preston Ranch(55ac.), Proscenium, Quarry, The Ranch(70ac.), Raymond Tonella(20ac.), Riboli(17ac.), Rouas(22ac.), Rutherford River Ranch(23ac.), Rutherford Road 130(40ac.), Rutherford Star(60ac.), PT 101(21ac.), Sacrashe, Scarecrow“Estate”, Scott(7ac.), Sequoia Grove“Estate”(5ac.), Star(66ac.), Shartsis-Herringer(15ac.), Sloan(40ac.), SPP Napa(60.5ac.), Stone Crib, Sugar Shack, Sullivan“Estate”, Sycamore(20ac.), Thomas, Ticen(25ac.), Tietjen, Thomas(40ac.), Tonella(42ac.), Trailside, Tres Sabores“Estate”(35ac.), Usibelli(95ac.), Vineyard 1, Walther(5ac.), Watt(6ac.), Wildwood(73ac.), Wilson(5ac.), Windfall, Winston Hill, Witt(6ac.), Wood(84ac.), York
    • Vineyards/ Estates On Rutherford Portion of the Bench- Avenali, Bella Oaks, Beaulieu, Bosche, Chaix, Cohn, Del Bondino, Fehirg, Grgich, De Pins, Inglenook, Martha’s, Morisoli(HVS./*1900/2ac.), Opus One, Ranch #1, Ranch #2, Robert Mondavi, Sycamore, Sullivan, Tietjen
  • CULTURE-
    • ASSOCIATIONS~ ~Rutherford Dust Society~ RDA.
      • Mission~ To Encourage and Promote the Highest Standards In Grape Growing and Winemaking In Rutherford Viticultural Area, and to Help Wine Lovers and the Wine Trade Discover Rutherford’s Unique Expression.
    • PIONEERS~ ~Joe Heitz~ “1966”, Planted Martha’a Vineyard In Rutherford.
  • GOING THERE- Take Time to Drive Around Rutherford/ Bench 
    • WINE TOURS~ Cakebread, Inglenook, Opus One($$), Mumms(Sparkling)
    • FESTIVAL~ ~Rutherford Wine Experience~ (May/ Rutherford)

South Napa Valley Floor

  • GEOGRAPHY– South Valley– Oakville to Carneros, +Altitude(50ft.), +Rain(18in.-24in.)
  • TOPOGRAPHY– “Flat/ Rolling/ Hilly”

OAKVILLE AVA.     @Oakville

  • WHITE= Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Colomabard, Muscadelle, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gri, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon
  • RED= Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan, Malbec, Merlot, Mondeuse, Muscat(Black), Negrette, Petit Verdot, Sangiovese, Syrah, Zinfandel
  • GEOGRAPHY– California, REGION-Napa, In Napa Valley AVA.(Central)
    • North of Napa-City(12mi.), @Hw.#29/ Silverado Trail/ Oakville Crossing
    • BORDERS-Rutherford AVA.(North-West), Yountville AVA.(South-East)
    • Sub-Zones- Oakville Bench, West of Hw.#29, East of Hw.#29
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling/ Valley”, On~Conn/ Rector~Creek~Tributaries~Napa~River~
    • SLOPES/ Mayacamas Mountain Range(West), Vacca Mountain Range(East)
      • +Altitude(110ft. to 500 ft.)Max.)(Unique Modification/ 1,006 ft.)
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Volcanic”, “Sedimentary”, On “Rutherford Bench”, Bale-Loam
    • West- Dominated by Two Alluvial Fans of Clay/ Bale Loams From the Mayacamas Mountain Range.  These Fans Are Referred to as the Oakville Fan Complex.
    • East- Dominated by Volcanic Tuffs, Lava/ Pyroclastic Flows From Vaca Mountains.
    • “Rutherford/ Oakville Bench”
      • **Refer to “RUTHERFORD AVA.” For Detailed Information On Rutherford/ Oakville Bench.
  • CLIMATE- “Mediterranean” With “Maritime” Influences and Micro Climates
  • VITICULTURE-  5,700ac./ 5,000ac. Planted,  1993- AVA. Officially Established.
    • Estates/ Producers– Addax, Accendo, B Cellars, Beckstoffer, Bevan, BOND, Branding Iron, Cardinale & Lokoya, Cosentino, Dalla Valle(E.), Del Dotto, Detert, Durant & Booth, Far Niente, Favia, Flora Spring, Futo, Gallica, Gamble, Gargiulo, Ghost Block, Gilpin, Goldschimidt, Groth(E.), Harbison, Harland(E./40ac.), Hoopes, Kelham, Kelleher, Lewis, MacDonald, Maybach, Meyer, Miner, Mondavi*(E.), Morlet, Napa Wine Cellars, Nemerever, Nickel & Nickel, Oakville Cross, Oakville Ranch, Oakville Winery, Opus One(E.), O’Shaughnessy(E.), Paradigm, Pelissa(E.), Peter Michael, Plumpjack(E./36ac.), Promontory, Quicksilver, Raymond, Rock Cairn, Round Pond, Rudd(E.), Saddleback(14.8ac.), Silver Oak, Screaming Eagle(E.,50ac.), Spoto, Stanton, Swanson(E.), Tamber Bey, Teaderman, Tench, Textbook, Tierra Roja, Tin Box, Tor, Turnbull, Ulysses, Villa Ragazzi, Vine Cliff(E./26ac.),Vine Hill Ranch(51ac.)
    • Vineyards– Ames, Ashe, Au Paradis, Backus(20ac.), Bond“Estate”, Borrow Pit, Buselli, Contellation, Cosentino, Crossroads, Dalla Valle“Estate”, Debeikes, Detert, Dickerson(HVS./*1920’s), Double H Ranch, Double Rock, Dos Olivos, Durham, Ehrlich, Flora Spings“Estate”, Fortuna(59ac.), Franciscan, Futo“Estate”, Gamble Family Home, Gamble Ranch, Gargiulo Money, Giannone, Grapes of Raithe, Groth“Estate”, Hamilton, Harbison“Estate”, Harlan“Estate”(40ac.), Harris(50ac.), Holmes, Holy Smoke, Hoopes, Horseshoe, John C. Sullerger, Kelleher“Estate”, Kelham“Estate”, Laird, Leopoldina, Lincoln Creek, Lizzy’s, Lopez, Locust Hil, Lore, MBar Ranch, MacDonald/Horton(HVS./*1873), McWilliams, Martha’s(34ac.), Martin Stelling, Meyer“Estate”, Miner“Estate”, Missouri Hopper, Moffitt, Mondavi“Estate”, Money Road Ranch, Morlet-Coeur de Vallee, Muessel, Nemerever, Navone, Oakville(37ac.), Oakville 88, Oakville 360, Oakville Cross, Oakville Farmhouse(HVS./*1938/2ac.), Oakville Ranch, Oakview, Opus One, O’Shaughnessy“Estate”, Paradigm“Estate”, Rancho Prequeno, Pedregal, Pelissa, Penny Lane, Piazza del Dotto, Pigeon Hill, Rancho Pequeno, Rock Cairn, Rudd“Estate”, Saddleback“Estate”, Saunders, Schlein, Screaming Eagle(50ac.), St. Eden(11ac.), Silver Oak, Skiar, Skellenger Corner, Stanton, Swanson, Taddei, Tamber Bey“Estate”, Tench, Tenderman, Tierra Roja, Tin Box, To Kalon(Beckstoffer(83ac.), To Kalon(Detert), To Kalan(MacDonald), To Kalon(Mondavi/144ac./*1868)(I-Block/ H-Block/ U-Block), To Kalon(Opus One“North”/59.18ac.), To Kalon(Opus One“South”/59.61ac.), To Kalon(Monastery Block/ N2/ ZZ)(500ac.), To Kalon(Wilsey), To Kalon(UC. Davis Heritage)(19.70ac.)(90+Zinfandel Cuttings), Traina, True Dog Knoll, Teaderman“Estate”, Turnbull Home Ranch, Ulyesses“Estate”, Vecina(11ac.), View Estates, Villa Grazzi“Estate”, Vine Cliff, Vine Hill Ranch“Estate”(51ac.), Vinous, Vineyard House, Vyborny, Weity/ Leopoldina, Weitz, Yount Ridge
    • Vineyards/ Estates On Oakville Portion of the Bench- Farnienti, Martha’s, Robert Mondavi, Opus One(59.61ac.), Stelling, UC. Davis Heritage(19.70ac.)
  • HISTORY- 1868- HW. Crab Planted 240ac. To Kalon Vineyard.
    • ~Etymology~ To Kalon Translates to “The Highest Beauty” In Ancient Greek.
    • Oldest Sauvignon Blanc Vines In America Are Planted In To Kalon’s I Block. (Planted 1945)
    • CULTURE-
    • PIONEERS~ ~Robert Mondavi~ Legend In Influencing Napa Valley the 1960’s and Subsequently Branding Napa Throughout the World.
    • ASSOCIATIONS~ ~Oakville Wine Makers~
      • Mission~ A Non-Profit Organization Dedicated to Promoting and Preserving the Oakville AVA. In Napa Valley
  • GOING THERE- WINE TOURS~ Mondavi
    • NON-WINE RELATED~  ~Go to Oakville Grocery For Picnic Supples~

YOUNTVILLE AVA.      @Yountville

  • WHITE= Chardonnay, Gewürtztraminer, Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Semillon
  • RED= Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Garnacha, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Syrah, Zinfandel
  • GEOGRAPHY- California, REGION-Napa, In Napa Valley AVA.(Central)
    • North of Napa-City(9mi.), @Hw.#29/ Silverado Trail/ Yountville Crossing
    • BORDERS-Oakville AVA.(North-West), Oak Knoll AVA.(South-East), Stags Leap AVA.(East)
    • Sub-Zones- West of Hw.#29, East of Hw.#29
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling/ Hilly/ Mound(Yountville)”
    • SLOPES/ Mayacamas Mountains(West), Vacca Mountains(East), +Altitude(20ft. to 200ft.)
    • On~Rector~Creek~Tributary~Napa~River~
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Volcanic”, “Sedimentary”, Alluvial Fan, Clay, Loam
  • CLIMATE- “Mediterranean”
  • VITICULTURE- 8,000 ac./ 4,000 ac. Planted
    • Estates/ Producers– Bell, Blankiet, Cornerstone, Chandon(Multi-National), Charello, Corley, Cornerstone, Dalla Valle, Dominus, Elyse, Gemstone, Gamble Family, Girard, Hestan, Hill Family, Hope & Grace, Hipper Creek, JCB, Jessup, Kapcsandy, Keever, Madrone Ranch, Markham, Mira(10.5ac.), Paraduxx, Priest Ranch, Silver Trident, State Lane, Stewart, V Wine
    • Vineyards– Abreu, Camusi, Carsi Ranch, Flat Rock, Gamble“Estate”, Holbrook Mitchell, Hopper House(12ac.), Keever, Max, Maxine’s, Miller Ranch, Morgaen Lee, Newton, Oak Glen(25ac.), Paradise Hills, Policy(14ac.), Rector Creek, Promontory, Sleeping Lady, State Lane(18ac.), State Ranch, Yountville(48ac.), Yountville Ranch
  • CULTURE- 1999– AVA. Officially Established.
    • PIONEERS~ ~George Yount~ “1831”, Help Settle Napa and Yountville Was Named After.
  • GOING THERE-  WINE TOURS~ Chandon(Sparkling)
    • NON-WINE RELATED~  ~V Market Place~, ~Napa Valley Museum~
      • ~Go to Yountville Market  For Picnic Supples~, ~Napa Bike Rental~

STAGS LEAP DISTRICT AVA.     @Napa

  • WHITE= Chardonnay, Muscat(Canelli), Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Semillon
  • RED= Cabernet Sauvignon 80%, Merlot 12%, Cabernet Franc, Carignane, Garnacha, Malbec, Merlot, Mourvedre, Peloursin, Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot, Sangiovese
  • GEOGRAPHY- California, REGION-Napa, In Napa Valley AVA.(Central), +Latitude(38.5°‘N’)
    • North of Napa-City(5mi.), BORDERS-Yountville AVA.(West)
    • Below Atlas Peak, (1 mi. Long & 3 mi. Wide), @Silverado Trail
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Hilly/ Mountainous/ Valley(Stags Leap Corridor)”
    • SLOPES/ Vacca Mountains/ Palisades(East), +Altitude(50ft. to 485ft.)
      • Bedrock Island(West) Caused by Faulting and Uplifting.
    • Stags Leap Corridor Forms a Valley/ Narrow Funnel Within the Larger Napa Valley That Pulls Air Up From the South.
    • Sub-Zones– Valley    Foothills,  On~Chase~Creek~Tributary~Napa~River~
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Volcanic”, “Sedimentary”, Alluvial Fan
    • West- Gravely-Loam, Clay Over Basalt,  East- Decomposing Volcanic
  • CLIMATE– “Mediterranean”, +Diurnal Shifts(+35°Variation)
    • +Rain(38 in./ yr.), Palisades Reflect Sun Onto Vineyards.
  • VITICULTURE- 2,9000 ac./ 1,600 ac. Planted,  1989- AVA. Officially Established.
    • Estates/ Producers– Annapurna, Baldacci, Bevan, Cavus, Chimney Rock*(E./105 ac.), Cliff Lede(22ac.), Clos Du Val(E.), Como No?, Futo 550, Hartwell, Husic, Ilsley, Joseph Phelps, Lindstrom, Malk, Never Bend, Odette(E./45ac.), Opulentia, Pillar Rock, Pine Ridge(E.), Ragusci, Realm, Robert Sinsky, Robinson, Rose & Clay, Quixote, Schweizer, Shafer(E.), Silverado(E.), Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars*(E./100ac.), Stags’ Leap Winery(E.), Steltzner(E.), Stony Meadow, Taylor, White Rock, Wild Foote
    • Vineyards– Alpine, Andelin(9ac.), Annapurna(8ac.), Arrowhead, Barboza(16.5ac.), Borderline, Cavus“Estate”, Circle Hill, Cliff Lede“Estate”, Fay, Ganymede, Griffin, Hackett, Hartwell“Estate”, Hermosa(20ac.), Hillside(14 Blocks), Hirondelle, Husic(7ac.), Ilsley“Estate”, Imagine, Joseph Phelps“Estate”(40ac.), K. Spicer, Locked Horns, Mary Jane Fay(12ac.), Miller, Ne Cede Malis(Field Blend), Reed, Pegasus, Poetry, Robert Mondavi, Robert Sinskey, Robinson“Estate”, Los Rocas(37.5ac.), Schweizer, Silverado“Estate”(*1888), SLD., SLV., SOLO, Spicer, Stags Landing(44ac.), Steltzner, Stony Meadow, Sunspot, Tomahawk, Twin Peak, Wappo Hill, White Pebble, White Rock“Estate”, Wildfoote(22ac.)
  • HISTORY & CULTURE-
    • 1870’s First Vines Planted by T.L. Grigsby.
    • 1976 Wine From Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Takes 1st. at Judgement of Paris Tasting.
    • ~Etymology~ From Native Wappo Legend of a Stag Leaping to Escape Hunters.
    • ASSOCIATION~ ~Stags Leap District Winery Association~
    • ASSOCIATION~ ~Stags Leap WineGrowers~
    • PIONEERS~ ~Nathan Fay~ First to Plant Vine In Stags Leap District AVA.
    • Stags Leap/ Stag’s Leap/ Stags’ Leap) Apostrophe is Pivotal to Know.
      • Stags Leap District AVA., (No Apostrophe)
      • Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars (Apostrophe Before “S”)
      • Stags’ Leap Winery (Apostrophe After “S”)
    • WINNER “Worlds Best”~ DtheV.com Awards “Best American AVA.”  (1st. Place)
      • **Refer to “WINE CULTURE/ Derek’s Top 6 List” For Detailed Information.
  • GOING THERE-  WINE TOURS~ Stags Leap Wine Cellars
    • NON-WINE RELATED~ ~Hike the Palisades Trail~

OAK KNOLL DISTRICT AVA.     @Napa

  • WHITE= Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Friulano, Greco, Ribolo Giallo, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier
  • RED= Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir, Refosco, Sangiovese, Schioppettino, Teroldego
  • GEOGRAPHY- California, REGION-Napa, In Napa Valley AVA.(South)
    • North of Napa-City(7mi.), @Hw.#29/ Silverado Trail(West)/ Oak Knoll Ave
    • BORDERS-Yountville AVA.(North-East)
    • Sub-Zones- West of Hw.#29, East of Hw.#29
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling/ Hilly”
    • SLOPES/ Mayacamus Mountains(West), Vacca Mountains(East), +Altitude(30ft. to 800ft.)
    • On~Dry~Creek/Soda~Creek~Tributary~Napa~River~
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Volcanic”, “Sedimentary”, Alluvial Fan(Dry Creek), Fluvial Soils(Napa River), Schist
  • CLIMATE- “Mediterranean” With “Maritime” Influence From San Pablo Bay
  • VITICULTURE- 8,300 ac./4,100 ac. Planted
    • Estates/ Producers–  Andretti, Aratas, Ashes & Diamonds, Beckstoffer, Beta, Biale, Black Stallion, Boyd, Celani, Dariush, Doyd, Hagafen Cellars, James Cole, Laird, Lobo, Luna, Materra(E.), Matthiasson, O’Brien, Razi, Reynolds Family, Robert Biale, Signorello, Silenus, Trefethen
    • Vineyards– Aldo’s(HVS./*1930’s), Ashes & Diamonds“Estate”, Bayview, Bear Flat(3ac.), Beau Terre, Bengier(Vare), Biale“Estate”, Black Chicken, Crane, Cunat, Epps, Gaspare(30ac.), Gibson, GnR, Linda Vista, Little Canyon, Matthiasson“Estate”(5ac.), Moulds, Nonna’s, Orchard(64ac.), Phoenix(6ac.), R/D, Red Hen, Ryan’s, Silenus, Sleeping Lady, Soda Creek, Sunshine Valley, Tattered Flag, Trio, Truchard, Trubody, Twisted Oak, Vaca Vista, Vare, El Venadito(36.5ac.), Voyager, Wooden Valley, Wulff
  • HISTORY & CULTURE- 2004- AVA. Officially Established.
  • GOING THERE-  WINE TOURS~ ?,  NON-WINE RELATED~ ?

SILVERADO AVA. (Un-Official)    @Napa

  • WHITE= Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc
  • RED= Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
  • GEOGRAPHY- California, REGION-Napa, In Napa Valley AVA.(South-East)
    • BORDERS– Stags Leap AVA.(North), Coombeville AVA.(South), Napa River(West)
    • North-East of Napa City(5 mi.), @Hw.#121(North)
    • Sub-Zone- Milliken Creek
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Hilly”, SLOPES/ Vaca Mountain Range(East), +Altitude( ? ft.)
    • On~Milliken~Creek~
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Volcanic”, “Sedimentary”
    • Clay Over Basalt/ Volcanic Ash, Loam, Cobblestone
  • CLIMATE- “Mediterranean”, +Influenced/Proximity to San Pablo Bay
  • VITICULTURE- ? ac. Planted
    • Estates/ Producers– Beaucanon, Del Dotto, Judd’s Hill, Kitchak Cellars, Krupp Brothers, Patland, Signorello, Whetstone, William Hill
    • Vineyards– Grande

COOMBSVILLE AVA.     @Napa

  • WHITE= Chardonnay, Muscat, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc
  • RED= Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnacha, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Zinfandel
  • GEOGRAPHY- California, REGION-Napa, In Napa Valley AVA.(South-East)
    • West of Napa-City(5mi.), @Hw.#121(South)/ #221/ Silverado Trail(East)
    • Sub-Zones– Alta Heights
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling/ Hilly/ Mountainous”
    • SLOPES/ Vaca Mountains(Mt. St. George), +Altitude(100ft. to 1,000ft.)Peak…1900ft.)
    • Ancient Volcanic Caldera/ Half Bowl-Depression(West-Facing), On~Napa~River~(East)
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Volcanic”, “Sedimentary”, Aiken Clay
    • Clay Over Basalt/ Alluvial Volcanic Ash/ Tuff, Loam, Cobblestone, Alluvial Flows, +Boron
  • CLIMATE- “Mediterranean” With “Maritime” Influence
    • +Influenced/ Proximity to San Pablo Bay & Petaluma Gap.
  • VITICULTURE- 11,000 ac./ 1,390 ac. Planted
    • Estates/ Producers– Ackerman, Arrow & Branch, Ancien, Azur, Black Cat, Caldwell(E./65ac.), Le Chanceux, Coho, Comis, Covert(E.), Crosby Roamann, DJK, Dumol, Faniani, Farella-Park, Faust, Faustini, Favia, Frazier, Hendry, Ilaria, Italics(E.), Maroon, Merus, Napa de Oro, Neiman, Porter, Nathan Coombs(Paul Hobbs), Realm, Rodde, Rooca, Sandhi, Scalon, Sciandri, The Setting, Shadybrook(E.), Silverado, Sodaro, Tournesol, Tulocay, Verismo
    • Vineyards– 00, Ancien Mink, Arcadia, Bennett, Black, Black Cat, Blue Oak, Caldwell, Chinn, Coldwell“Estate”, Collinetta, Coombsville, Cork Tree, Dead Fred, Dickhaus Valley, Farella, Ferrogiaro, GEO, Ghost Horse, Glass Slipper, Harmony School, Haynes(HVS./*1900’s/32ac.), Hendrickson Family“Estate”(7ac.), High Ranch, Immaculate, Larry Hyde & Sons, Lunar Ridge, Marita’s, Meteor, Mink(2ac.), Mt. George(*1868), Musque Haynes, Nathan Coombs“Estate”, Never Say Never Dead Fred, Omlin, Palmaz(64ac.), Porter, Purlieu, Rancho Chimiles, Rancho Wieruszowski, Robert John, Rocca, R.W. Moore(HVS./*1900’s), Sciandri, Siverado“Estate”, Soda Canyon(113ha.), Simpkins, Terra Solis, Teucer, Thatihah, Tranquility, Tournesol(15ac.), Wieruszowski
  • HISTORY & CULTURE-
    • 1863- The Carbone Brothers Become the First to Plant 125 ac. In Combsville.
    • 2011- AVA. Officially Established.
    • ~Etymology~ Named After Nathan Coombs, an Early Settler In Napa Who Purchased the Area In 1836.
    • ASSOCIATIONS~ ~Coombsville Vintners & Growers~
    • PIONEERS~ ~John- Caldwell~ One of Coombville Originals, Vine Propagator/ Smuggler
  • GOING THERE-  WINE TOURS~
    • NON-WINE RELATED~ ~Hike the Rim of the Volcanic Caldera~
      • ~Napa Valley Horse Riding Ranch~

WILD HORSE VALLEY AVA.       @Napa

  • WHITE= Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc
  • RED= Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Noir
  • GEOGRAPHY- California, REGION-Napa, In Napa Valley AVA.(South-East)
    • (Laps)Solano Green Valley AVA., COUNTIES-Napa, (Laps)Solano
    • @Hw.#Wild Horse Rd.
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Hilly/ Valley(Wild Horse)”, On~White~Creek~
    • SLOPES/ Vaca Mountains, +Altitude(850ft. to 2,130ft.)
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Volcanic”, Soil Series- –Trimmer Series–, Rich In Minerals
  • CLIMATE- “Mediterranean” With “Maritime” Influence
  • VITICULTURE- 3,300 ac./ 110 ac. Planted,  1988- AVA. Officially Established.
    • Estates/ Producers– Enfield Wine Co., Heron Lake(24ac.), Kenzo(100ac.), Under the Wire
    • Vineyards– Clarke, Heron Lake“Estate”(24ac.)
  • HISTORY & CULTURE- 1881- First Vineyard Planted by Joseph Vorbe.
    • 1988- AVA. Officially Established.

LOS CARNEROS AVA.     @Napa

  • WHITE= Albariño, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Roussanne, Vermentino, Viognier
  • RED= Aleatico, Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnacha, Merlot, Nebbiolo, Pinot Noir
  • GEOGRAPHY- California, REGION-Napa, In Napa Valley AVA.(South)
    • South of Napa-City(5mi.), (Southernmost Napa Valley AVA.), @Hw.#12/#29/#121
    • Transitional Area of Sonoma Between Salt Plains/ Marshes and Foothills.
    • Sub-Zones- Carneros Hills
    •  COUNTIES– Napa, (AVA. Laps)Sonoma County(West), BORDERS-Mt. Veeder AVA.(North-West)
    • Only 1 of 3 California AVA. to Cross County Lines(Spring Mountain AVA., Pine Mountain AVA.)
    • **Refer to “SONOMA/ Carneros” For Additional AVA. Information.
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling/ Valley(Lovall)”, SLOPES/ Mayacamus Mountain(Mt. Veeder), +Altitude(6ft. to 60ft.) 
    • On~San Pablo~Bay~(Near/ 3 mi.), On~Napa~River~/Carneros~Creek~
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Sedimentary”
  • CLIMATE- “Maritime”, +Influenced/ Fog, Proximity to San Pablo Bay
    • Coolest AVA. In Napa, Receives Moisture From Petaluma Gap & San Pablo Bay.
    •  +WINDS~~Carneros Express~…Originates San Pablo Bay
  • VITICULTURE- 1,100 ac. Planted,  1983- AVA. Officially Established.
    • Estates/ Producers- Acacia, Adastra, Artesa(E.), Beckstoffer, Bonneau, Bouchaine(E.,87ac.), Cuvaison, Domaine Carneros*(E.,450ac.)International/ Taittinger), Etude(E.,500ac.), Hudson, Hyde(E.), Kieu Hoang, Larry Hyde & Son, Liana, Madonna, Mckenzie, Saintsbury*(E.,5ac.), Shug(E.)*, Starmont, Truchard
    • Vineyards– Las Amigas(58ac.), Beau Terroir, Las Brisas, Brown Ranch, Carneros Creek(34ac.), Carneros Lake(300ac.), Carneros Ranch(400ac.), Catherine’s, Church, Cold Creek, Cottonwood, Cressida, Fotinos, Grace Benoist Ranch(500ac.), Henry Road, Hudson(200ac.), Hyde(*1979), Invisible, Kahn, Lavender Hill, Laurier, Lee, Mahoney Ranch, Moses-Hall, Napa Golf Associates, Stanley Ranch, Red Barn, Red Door, Red Shoulder Ranch, Senemar, Stanley Ranch, Stewart, Sunset Knoll, Thornton, Toyon, Truchard“Estate”, Vineburg, Vistula Vista, Winery Lake
  • CULTURE-
    • ASSOCIATIONS~ ~Carneros Wine Alliance~
      • Mission~ Committed to Promoting the Distinction, Diversity and Quality of Grapes Grown In Carneros.
  • GOING THERE-
    • ~Etymology~ Los Carneros Meaning The Rams In Spanish Referring to the 1840’s When this Area Was Sheep Ranches and Dairies.
    • WINE TOURS~ Domaine Carneros(Sparkling), Saintsbury
    • NON-WINE RELATED~  ~Hike the Marsh Lands Sanctuary of San Pablo Bay~

AMERICAN CANYON AVA. (Un-Official)    @American Canyon

  • WHITE= Chardonnay, Muscat(Canelli), Sauvignon Blanc
  • RED= Merlot, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir
  • GEOGRAPHY- California, REGION-Napa, South-East of Napa-City(3mi.)
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Hilly”, SLOPES/ ?, +Altitude(100ft. to 400ft.)
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Volcanic”, “Sedimentary”, Shale
  • CLIMATE- “Mediterranean” With “Maritime” Influences 
  • VITICULTURE-  ? ac. Planted
    • Estate/ Producers– Bourassa, Elkhorn Peak, Falcor, Holman, Napa Smith, Rocca, Spelletich, #Trendingwine, Trinitas
    • Vineyards– Clarke, Jamieson Ranch, Watson
  • CULTURE- AKA=Jamieson Canyon

Napa Valley Mountain Appellations

  • GEOGRAPHY– California, REGION-Napa
    • 5 Mountain AVA. Spread Over 2 Mountian Ranges.
  • TOPOGRAPHY-  “Rolling/ Hilly/ Mountainous/ Terraced”
    • West Valley– Mayacamas Mountains, +Altitude(2,600ft.),  +Rain(40in. to 55in./ yr.)
    • East Valley– Vacca Mountains, +Altitude(2,590ft.),  +Rain(18in. to 24in./ yr.)

DIAMOND MOUNTAIN AVA.     @Calistoga

  • WHITE= Grüner Veltliner, Sauvignon Blanc
  • RED= Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Zinfandel
  • GEOGRAPHY- California, REGION-Napa, In Napa Valley AVA.(North-West)
    • (Northernmost Mountain AVA.), South of/ Above Calistoga,  @Hw.#29
    • BORDERS-Sonoma County(West), Spring Mountain AVA.(South-East)
    • (Laps)Sonoma County)(15 ac.)
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Hilly/ Mountainous/ Terraced”
    • SLOPES/ Mayacamas Mountains(Diamond Mountain), +Altitude(400ft. Min. 2,100ft.)Peak…2,300ft.)
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Volcanic”, Red Volcanic, White-Grey Ash, Volcanic Glass
    • Aiken-Loam, Boomer-Loam
  • CLIMATE- “Mediterranean” , +Influenced/ Inversion Layer, Above Fog
    • +Rain(40in. to 55in./ yr.), East Facing Mountain/Vineyards, Mitigates Afternoon Heat.
  • VITICULTURE– 5,000 ac./ 500 ac. Planted,  2001- AVA. Officially Established.
    • Estates/ Producers– Andrew Jeffery, Cardinale, Diamond Creek(E./*1968/20ha.), Diamond Terrace, Frisson, J Davies, Joseph Cellars, Lokoya, Reverie, Schramsberg*(*1862), Teachworth, Von Strasser, Wallis
    • Vineyards– Agira, Andrew Geoffrey, Constant, Dyer, Ebiner, Gravelly Meadow(5ac.), Lake, Post, Red Rock Terrance(7ac.), Seraphim, Sori Bricco, Theorem(20ac.), Volcanic Hill(8ac.), Wallis“Estate”
  • HISTORY– 1892 First Vines Planted by Jacob Schram/ First Mountain Vineyard In Napa.
  • CULTURE- Names After Small Pieces of Volcanic Glass Found In Soils.
    • PIONEERS~ ~Jacob Schram~ “1868”, Planted First Vines On Diamond Mountain.
  • GOING THERE-  WINE TOURS~  Schramsberg(Sparkling), J Davies, Diamond Creek
    • NON-WINE RELATED~ ~Take a Drive and Stop and Smell the Air & Vineyards~

SPRING MOUNTAIN AVA.       @St. Helena

  • WHITE= Sauvignon Blanc 4%, Chardonnay 3%, Gewürtztraminer, Riesling, Viognier
  • RED= Cabernet Sauvignon 25%, Merlot 5%, Cabernet Franc 3%, Blaufrankisch, Gamay, Malbec, Mencia, Mourvedre AKA=Mataro, Petit Verdot, Zinfaldel
  • GEOGRAPHY- California, REGION-Napa, In Napa Valley AVA.(North-West)
    • West of/ Above St. Helena, Sub-Zones– Sulphur Canyon
    • BORDERS-Sonoma County(West)(153 ac. Cross Into Sonoma County), Diamond Mountain AVA.(North-West), St. Helena AVA.(East)
    • Only 1 of 3 California AVA. to Cross County Lines(Pine Mountain AVA., Carneros AVA.)
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Hilly/ Mountainous/ Terraced”
    • SLOPES/ Mayacamas Mountains, +Altitude(400ft. to 2,600ft.)
    • On~Mill/ Ritchie/ Sulphur/ York~Creeks~
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Volcanic”, “Sedimentary”, Alluvial Fan, Andesite, Aiken Clay Loam
      • Franciscan Sedimentary Rock(Sandstone & Conglomerate)
    • Soil Series-   ~Aiken Series~     ~Felton Series~     ~Forward Series~
      • ~Hambrigh Series~    ~Boomer Series~     ~Millsholm Series~
  • CLIMATE- “Mediterranean”, +Influenced/ Inversion Layer, Above Fog
    • +Rain(25-55 in./ yr.), East Facing Mountain/Vineyards, Mitigates Afternoon Heat.
  • VITICULTURE–  8,600 ac./ 1,050 ac. Planted
    • *Generally– Draught Resistant Rootstock, Trellis: Bilateral Cordon/ Vertical Shoot Positioning.
    • Stoney Hill Vineyards is Home to the Oldest Riesling Vines In State.
    • Estates/ Producers– Andesite, Anomaly, Barnett, Behrens, Behrens & Hitchcock, Cain(E./90ac.), Charbay, Chase, Chiron, Cornell(20ac.), Eeden, Guliam’s, Juslyn, Keenan, Luscher-Ballard, Marston, Meander, Murphy, Newton, Paloma, Peacock Family, Phillip Togni, Pride Mountain(E.), Ritchie Creek, Ruston, School House, Schweiger, Sherwin, Smith-Madrone(E./22ac.), Stottswoode, Spring Mountain(226ac.), Stony Hill(E./41ac.), Terre Valentine, Togni, Upper Bowl, York Creek
    • Vineyards– Ballard, Barnett“Estate”, Big K, Cain“Estate”, Chevalier, Cooks Flat, Draper/ La Perla, Lake, Marston Ranch, Newton“Estate”, Patzimaro, La Perla, Pluribus(7ac.), School House“Estate”, Schweiger“Estate”, Spring Mountain/ Miravalle, Streblow/ Alba(33ac.), Upper Bowl, Vineyard 7 & B, York Creek, Yverdon, Wurtele
  • CULTURE- 1993- AVA. Officially Established.
    • ~Etymology~ Named For the Many Seasonal Springs That Cross the Mountain.
  • GOING THERE- NON-WINE RELATED~ ~Take a Drive On Mountain/ Stop and Smell the Vineyards~

MOUNT VEEDER AVA.     @Yountville

  • WHITE= Albariño, Chardonnay, Garnacha, Gewürztraminer, Grüner Veltliner, Nebbiolo, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Semillon, Viognier
  • RED= Cabernet Sauvignon 64%, Cabernet Franc, Carignan, Garnacha, Malbec, Merlot, Mondeuse, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Sangiovese, Syrah, Tribidrag, Zinfandel
  • GEOGRAPHY- California, REGION-Napa,  In Napa Valley AVA.(South-West)
    • South-West of Yountville-City(2mi.), (Southernmost Mountain AVA.)
    • BORDERS-Sonoma Valley AVA.(West), Carneros AVA.(South-East), Yountville AVA.(East(Above)
      • @Hw.#Dry Creek Rd.(West)
    • Sub-Zones- Browns Valley, Pickle Canyon
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling, Hilly/ Mountainous/ Terraced”, Veiw of San Francisco From Vineyards
    • SLOPES/ Mayacamas Mountains(Mt. Veeder), +Altitude(400ft. to 2,450ft.)Peak…2,677ft.)
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Volcanic”, “Sedimentary”
    • Ancient Up-Lifted Clay Sea-Bed, Sandstone, Shale(Fractured), Sub-Soil is Gravelly Loam, Cobbles, Stony Loam.
    • Soil Series-  ~Aiken Series~
  • CLIMATE- “Mediterranean”, Coolest of the Napa Mountain Appellation.
    • +Influenced/ Inversion Layer, Above Fog, +Rain(35 in./ yr.)
    • East Facing Mountain/Vineyards, Mitigates Afternoon Heat.
  • VITICULTURE– 15,000 ac./ 1,000 ac. Planted
    • CHALLENGE– Vertically/ Labor Intensive
    • Estates/ Producers– Aaron Pott, Black Cordon, Bolden Family, Brandlin, Craine, Devil’s Canyon, Fontanella, Godspeed, Guffy, Hendry Yates, Hess Collection*, Jade Mountain, Lagier Meredith(4.5ac.), Mayacamas(52ac.), Mt. Brave(Chateau Potelle), Mt.Veeder, Mt. Veeder Ranch, Peter Franus, Progeny, Reid, Rudd, Sky, Tesseron, Veeder Ridge, Wing Canyon, Yates, Young Ridge
    • Vineyards– Allomi, Beller, Betty’s(17ac.), Brandlin“Estate”(HVS./*1920), Brioso, Chateauneuf-DuPott, Cloud’s Nest, Drew(18ac.), Fohr, Haspel, Hillwalker, Hulet, Lampyridae(14.5ac.), Langtable, Lynne’s, Nosotros, One Lane Bridge, Paras, Paratus, Pickle Canyon, Phoenix, Pym-Rae(24ac.), Round Table, Rubissow(17ac.), Saffron, Segassia, Scaggs, Summit, Su’skol, Veeder Crest, Veeder Peak, Veeder Summit, Wing Canyon, Woolls Ranch(32ac.), Yates“Estate”
  • CULTURE- 1993- AVA. Officially Established.
    • PIONEERS~ ~Peter Vedeer~ 1864, Planted First Vines On Mount Veeder.
    • PIONEERS~ ~Carole Meredith~ Owner Winemaker Lagier Meredith.
      • Phd./ Grape Geneticist(DNA Fingerprinting), Helped Solved Mystery of Zinfandel.
  • GOING THERE-  WINE TOURS~  Hess Collection
    • NON-WINE RELATED~  ~Westwood Hills Park Hike~

HOWELL MOUNTAIN AVA.     @Angwin

  • WHITE= Chardonnay, Roussanne, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier
  • RED= Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Garnacha, Gros Verdot, Malbec, Merlot, Nebbiolo, Pelsousin, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, St-Macaire, Zinfandel
  • GEOGRAPHY- California, REGION-Napa, In Napa Valley AVA.(North), +Latitude(38.55°‘N’)
    • BORDERS-Sugarloaf Mountain(North), @Deer Park Rd./ Howell Mountain Rd.
    • BOUNDARIES- Above 1,400 ft., Sub-Zones- Bell Canyon, Jamison Canyon, Conn Valley
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Hilly/ Mountainous/ Terraced/ Plateau”
    • SLOPES/ Vacca Mountains, +Altitude(1,400ft. to 2,200ft.)Peak…2,500ft.)
    • (Not a Mountain/ More of a Plateau.)
    • On~Conn~Creek~Tributary~Napa~River~, On~Deer/ Henne~Lake~
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Volcanic”, Clay(Red–High In Iron), Weathered Basalt
    • White Volcanic Ash AKA=Rhyolitic Tuff/ Tufa, Aiken Stoney Clay
  • CLIMATE- “Mediterranean”, With “Continental” Influences
    • +Influenced/ Inversion Layer, Above Fog
  • VITICULTURE- 14,000 ac./ 1,500 ac. Planted, 
    • Estates/ Producers– Adamvs(76ac.), Anderson’ s Eagle Trace, Angwin, Arcudi, Arkenstone(8ac.), Beatty Ranch, Black Sears, Bravante, Bremer, Buehler, Burgess(65ac.), Cade, Charles Krug, Cimarossa, Clark-Claudon, Dunn(E.), Haber, Howell Mountain, La Jota(E.), Kristodd, Ladera*(E.), Merus, Mole Hill, Neal, O’Shaughnessy(121ac.), Outpost, Pine Ridge, Red Cap, Retro, Robert Craig, Sbragia, Seavey, Somnium(Danica Patrick)(24ac.), Steihauser Ranch, Summit Lake, Tor, Turley, Valance, Viader(E./28ac.), White Cottage, WH Smith
    • Vineyards– 13th., Aloft, Alta, Alta Tierra, Amizetta, Amphitheater, Ark, Bancroft Ranch, Beatty Ranch, Black Oak, Black Sears, Bracey“Estate”, Burgess, Candlestick, Cedarman, Cimarossa, Clarke-Claudon, Clif, Cold Springs, Le Colline, Coyoacan, Coyote, Croquet, Dancing Bear, Del Oso, Dragon, Eagle Summit, Elsberg, Frank, Great Oak, Green Room, Haber, Heiser, Herb Lamb, Hershey, Hughes, Ink Grade, J & K Lake, Lail, Lamborn, Linda Falls, Neal, Osprey, Paravel, Park Muscatine, Pauli, Rattlesnake Ridge, Red Cap, Pestoni, Rockwell Ridge(4ac.), Rocky Ridge, Round Two, Santori, Sentinel Ridge, Steinhauer Ranch, Stone Ridge, Stout, True, Summit Lake, Three Tears, WS Keyes(66ac.)
  • CULTURE- 1983 AVA. Officially Established. (Napa’s First Mountain AVA.)
    • PIONEERS~ ~Randy Dunn~ One of Howell Mountain Original Grape Grower.
      • Philanthropist In Napa Land Trust(To Protect Above the Valley Floor Land.)
    • ASSOCIATIONS~ ~Howell Mountain Vinters & Growers~
  • GOING THERE-  WINE TOURS~ Ladera
    • NON-WINE RELATED~  ~Mount Saint Helena Radio Towers Trail~

CRYSTAL SPRINGS AVA. (Un-Official)     @

  • GEOGRAPHY- California, REGION-Napa, In Napa Valley AVA.(North)
    • BORDERS-Howell Mountain AVA.(North), Calistoga AVA.(West), St. Helena AVA.(South)
  • VITICULTURE- 4,000 ac., 230 ac. Planted

POPE VALLEY AVA. (Un-Official)    @Pope Valley

  • WHITE= Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier
  • RED= Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Sangiovese, Zinfandel
  • GEOGRAPHY- California, REGION-Napa, In Napa Valley AVA.(North-East)
    • East of Calistoga-City(10 mi.), @Hw.#Pope Valley Rd., Sub-Zones- Butts Canyon
    • Boundaries Are the Same as the Putah Creek Watershed.
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Hilly/ Valley(Pope)”
    • SLOPES/ Mayacamas Mountain Range/ Howell Mountain(North-East), +Altitude(500ft. to 1,400ft.)
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Volcanic”, “Sedimentary”, Shale
  • CLIMATE- “Mediterranean” With “Continental” Influences
  • VITICULTURE- 3,400 ac., Planted
    • Estate/ Producers– Aetna Springs, Calla Lily(E./20ac.), Dollarhide, Flora Springs, Heibel Ranch, James Creek, Pope Valley
    • Vineyards– Allomi, Calla Lily“Estate”, Eakle Ranch(80ac.), Julianna
  • CULTURE– PIONEERS~ ~William Pope~ “1841”, First to Be Granted Property In the Area.

CHILES VALLEY AVA.     @Pope Valley

  • WHITE= Chardonnay, Garnacha Bianco, Muscadelle, Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon
  • RED= Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot, Primitivo, Zinfandel
  • GEOGRAPHY- California, REGION-Napa, In Napa Valley AVA.(North-East)
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Hilly/ Valley(Chiles)”, West of Lake Berryessa(15mi.)
    • SLOPES/ Vacca Mountains, +Altitude(600ft. to 1,250ft.)Peak…2,200ft.)
    • On~Maxwell/ Chiles~Creek~ 
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Volcanic”, “Sedimentary”, ~Formation~(Los Gatos)
    • Soil Series- ~Tehama Series~(Well-Draining Silt Loam From Alluvial Fans.)
  • CLIMATE- “Mediterranean”
  • VITICULTURE- 6,000 ac./ 1,000 ac. Planted
    • Estates/ Producers– Brown, Calcula(9ac.), Calacula Lake, Chiles Mill(7ac.), Eagle & Rose, Green & Red, Kuleto, Maxville Lake, Nichelini, Retro, Rustridge Ranch, Somerston(230ac.), Tip Top(15ac.), Volker Eisele(E.)
    • Vineyards– Deerhound, Elder Valley, Green & Red“Estate”, Maxville, Oberschulte, Priest Ranch
  • CULTURE- 1999- AVA. Officially Established.
    • PIONEERS~ ~Joseph Chiles~ “1841”, Awarded Original Land Grant, Planted First Vines.
    • NON-WINE RELATED~ ~Hike- Chiles Creek Trail~

PRITCHARD HILL AVA. (Un-Official)    @Pope Valley

  • WHITE= Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc
  • RED= Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Syrah
  • GEOGRAPHY- California, REGION-Napa, In Napa Valley AVA.(East-Central)
    • North-West of Atlas Peak AVA., South-East of Lake Hennessy
    • BOUNDARIES– Not Legal AVA. and Doesn’t Have a “Defined” Boundary.
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Hilly, Mountainous/ Terraced”
    • SLOPES/ Vacca Mountains(Pritchard Hill), +Altitude(800ft. to 2,000ft.)
    • Bowl Between Oak Knoll, Stags Leap & Chiles Valley.
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Volcanic”,  Red Volcanic, Clay, Loam

    • Soil Series- ~Sobrante Series~
  • CLIMATE- “Mediterranean”, +Influenced/ Inversion Layer, Above Fog
  • VITICULTURE-  340 ac. Planted
    • Estates/ Producers– Bryant Family(13ac.), Colgin(20ac.), Continuum(62ac.), Chappellet(100ac.), Del Dotto, Dalla Valle, David Author(19ac.), Gandona, Melanson, Montagna, Ovid, Villa del Lago
    • Vineyard- Artalade, IX(20ac.), Brand, Corzine, David Author“Estate”(*1978), Herb Lamb, The Hideaway(15ac.), Long, Martinez(16ac.), Melanson“Estate”, Molly’s, Montagna, Nine Suns-Houyi, Sage Hill, Sage Mountain, Villa del Lago“Estate”, Wells Ranch, Yang
  • CULTURE-
    • **Pritchard Hill Isn’t an Official AVA. and the People Who Own the Vineyard-Property Are Not Pushing For it to Become One.
    • PIONEERS~ ~Charles Pritchard~“1880’s”, Planted First Vines On Pritchard Mountain.
    • PIONEERS~ ~Donn Chappellet~ “1960’s”, Started One of Napa’s Great Family-Owned Winery.
    • NON-WINE RELATED~ ~Hike- Lake Hennessey~

ATLAS PEAK AVA.     @Napa

  • WHITE= Albariño, Chardonnay, Marsanne, Roussanne, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier
  • RED= Cabernet Sauvignon 54%, Merlot 10%, Cabernet Franc 4%, Syrah 3%, Garnacha, Malbec, Pinot Noir, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Sangiovese, Tempranillo, Zinfandel
  • GEOGRAPHY- California, REGION-Napa, In Napa Valley AVA.(East-Central), @Hw.#Soda Canyon Rd.
    • Sub-Zone– Foss Valley, 
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/Hilly/ Mountainous/ Terraced/ Canyon(Milliken, Rector)”
    • East of/ Above Stags Leap AVA.
    • SLOPES/ Vacca Mountains, +Altitude(760ft. to 2,590ft.)Peak…2,663ft.)
    • On~Foss~Creek~Tributary~Napa~River~
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Volcanic”, “Sedimentary”, Gravel Loam, Red Basalt
  • CLIMATE- “Mediterranean”, +Influenced/ Inversion Layer, Above Fog
    • +Rain(38in./ yr.),  10°- 15° Cooler Than Valley Floor
  • VITICULTURE- 11,400 ac./ 1,5000 ac., Planted
    • Grapes Ripen 2 Weeks Later Than Valley Floor.
    • In Order to Prepare Vineyard Sites Dynamite and Bulldozers Are Needed to Remove the Large Rock Outcrops.
  • VINICULTURE-
    • Estates/ Producers- Antica*(E./ Collaboration/ Antinori), Ardente Expressions, Astrale & Terra, Atlas Peak, Bialla, Cobblestone, Dominari, Guarachi, Jarvis, Jocelyn Lonen, Kenzo, Kongsgaard(12ac.), Krupp Brothers, Vin Rock
    • Vineyards- Animo, Altimeter((2ac.), Backer, Baker-Mansfield, Bella Quiercia, Bianchini Family, Briarstone, Cordes, Dern, Edcora, Elan, Hendrickson Family Ranch(18.5ac.), Hill Family, Jackie Cordes, The Judge(6ac.), Kongsgaard“Estate”, Krupp Brothers, Manfree, Mead Ranch, Meadowrock(32ha.), Mountain Peak, Odyssey, Pahlmeyer, Rivera, Soda Canyon Ranch, Stagecoach(640ac.), Townsend, Walt Ranch, Windy Flat
  • CULTURE- 1992- AVA. Officially Established.
    • ASSOCIATIONS~ ~Atlas Peak Appellation~
  • GOING THERE- WINE TOURS~ Antica Estate(Antinori)
    • NON-WINE RELATED~ Drive Up to See the View of Napa Valley and Bay Area.

Mountain vs. Valley Floor

  • GEOGRAPHY– Napa Mountains Are Considered the Vacca Mountains(East) and the Mayacaymas Mountains(West). The Valley Floor is the Medium In-Between.
  • TOPOGRAPHY– +Altitude, Increase Gradiant
    • *Generally– Differences Between Mountain and Valley Can Be Defined In Topography, Viticulture, Style and Winemaking.
    • Floor– Accumulates Water…Grapes Increase Size/ Thin Skin.
    • Hillsides- Exposed to Greater Winds, Less Frost Potential, Better Drainage, Aspect, Grapes Don’t Regain Water, Smaller Grapes, Thicker Skin, More Expensive to Farm.
  • GRAPES- Hillside Vineyards Are More Stressed: by Wine, Exposure, Lack of Water, Less Vigorous, Later Bud Break, Later Harvest(2 Weeks), Smaller Grapes/ Increase Skin to Juice Ration.
  • SOILS- Shallow, Porous Rocky, Better Drainage
  • CLIMATE- Temperature: 10°- 15° Cooler During Day, 10° Warmer at Night.
    • +WIND Afternoon/ +Stress, +Rain(10-14 Inches More Than Valley Floor.)
    • Generally Above Fog-Line, Less Fog, Increase Light Intensity, Shorter Diurnal Shirts.
  • VITICULTURE- Mountains Produce 13% of Napa Wines.  6,000 ac of 45,000 ac. Planted
    • Generally– Valley Side/ Hills Are the Best for Grape Growing, Base of Valley Side/ Hills is Good, But Valley Floor Can Be Too Vigorous.
    • Lower Average Temperature, But More Sunlight Hours.
    • **Refer to “CLIMATE/ Altitudes” For Additional Information.
  • VINICULTURE- 
    • Wine- Increase Structure, Deeper Color, Firmer Tannins, Mineral Character, +Minimality, +Ageibility, +Acidity
    • Yields- Mountains- 1-3 Tons/ Acres Valley Floor- 5- 7 Tons/ Acres
    • Brix- 25 vs. 27 (Cabernet Sauvignon)
    • Economy– Increase Cost Production, Less Quantity

NORTH COAST AVA.   @Napa County

  • WHITE=   |   RED= “Almost Everything”
    • **Refer to “AVA.’s” For Grape Information.
  • GEOGRAPHY– California, Northern California
    • COUNTIES-(AVA. Laps)Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, Solano, Sonoma
  • VITICULTURE– Labeled– “NORTH COAST” Wine Produced Non-Conforming to an AVA.
    • Grapes Can Be Source From Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties.
  • CULTURE- 1983- AVA. Officially Established.

SOLANO COUNTY    @Entire County

  • VITICULTURE– Labeled– “SOLANO COUNTY”, Wines Produced Non-Conforming to an AVA.
  • CULTURE- ~Etymology~ Solano, Spanish For East Wind…Referring to ?
  • GEOGRAPHIC DISCLAIMER~ “Solano County is Not Napa, But I Put it at End of the Napa Chapter Because of Proximity and Similarities In Topography and Climate.”

WILD HORSE VALLEY AVA.       @Napa

  • WHITE= Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc
  • RED= Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir
  • GEOGRAPHY- California, REGION-Napa, In Napa Valley AVA.(South-East)
    • (Laps)Solano Green Valley AVA., COUNTIES-Solano, (Laps)Napa
    • @Hw.#Wild Horse Rd.
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Hilly/ Valley(Wild Horse)”, On~White~Creek~
    • SLOPES/ Vaca Mountains, +Altitude(850ft. to 2,130ft.)
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Volcanic”, Soil Series- ~Trimmer Series~, Rich In Minerals
  • CLIMATE- “Mediterranean” With “Maritime” Influence
  • VITICULTURE- 3,300 ac./ 110 ac. Planted,  1988- AVA. Officially Established.
    • Estates/ Producers– Enfield Wine Co., Heron Lake(24ac.), Kenzo(100ac.), Under the Wire
    • Vineyards– Clarke, Heron Lake“Estate”(24ac.)

SOLANO GREEN VALLEY AVA.       @Suisun

  • WHITE= Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc
  • RED= Cabernet Sauvignon, Dolcetto, Gamay, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Sangiovese, Syrah, Troousseau, Valdiquie, Zinfandel
  • GEOGRAPHY- California, COUNTY-Solano(West), Napa(Laps), South-East of Napa-City(12mi.)
    • (Laps)Wild Horse AVA., (4mi. Long & 1mi. Wide), North-East of San Pablo Bay(12mi.)
    • BORDERS-Suisun Valley AVA.(East), In North Coast AVA.(South-East)
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling/ Valley(Green)”, +Altitude( ? ft.)
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Volcanic”, “Sedimentary”, Deep and Well Drained
  • CLIMATE- “Maritime”, INFLUENCED/  Proximity to San Pablo Bay(12 Miles)
  • VITICULTURE- 800 ac. Planted
    • Estates/ Producers- Artesa, Acacia, Broc Cellars, Galvan Family, GV Cellars(30ac.), Kenzo(50ac.), Oliva Brion, Patz & Hall, Rock Creek, Silverado, Sunset, Volkhardt, Wirth, Z.D.
    • Vineyards– Fry, Green Valley, Parenti(HVS./*1960’s/5ac.), Wirth Ranch  
  • CULTURE- 1982- AVA. Officially Established.

SUISUN VALLEY AVA.     @Suisun

  • WHITE= Albariño, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Colombard, Gewürztraminer, Grenache Blanc, Malvasia, Muscat(Canelli), Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Torrontes, Trousseau Gri, Verdejo, Viognier
  • RED= Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gamay, Garnacha, Malbec, Petite Sirah AKA=Durif, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Syrah, Tempranillo, Valdiguie, Zinfandel
  • GEOGRAPHY- California, COUNTY-Solano(West), (Laps)Napa, (8mi. Long & 3mi. Wide)
    • BORDERS-Solano Green Valley AVA.(West), In North Coast AVA.(South-East)
    • East of Napa-City(10mi.), (8mi. Long & 3mi. Wide), @Hw.#80
    • Boundaries Are the Same as the Suisun Creek Watershed.
    • Sub-Zones- Twin Sisters
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling/ Valley(Suisun)”, On~Suisun/ Ledgewood~Creeks~
    • SLOPES/ Vaca Range/ Mt. George Range, +Altitude( ? ft.)
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Volcanic”, “Sedimentary”, Clay, Silt
    • Brentwood Clay-Loam   |   San Ysidro Sandy-Loam
    • Sycamore Silty-Loam   |   Rincon Clay-Loam
  • CLIMATE- “Maritime”, INFLUENCED/ Fog, Proximity to San Pablo Bay
  • VITICULTURE- 15,000 ac./ 3,000 ac. Planted
    • Estates/ Producers– Back Road, Blacksmith, Blue Victorian, Caymus, Galvan Family, Gouger Cellar, King Andrews, Ledgewood Creek, Mangels, Mankas Hills, Onward, Suisun Creek, Suisun Valley(Co.-Op.), Sunset, Tenbrink, Tolenas, Vezer(E./38ac.), Winterhawk, Wooden Valley
    • Vineyards– King Andrews, Lanza, Mangels, Rancho Chimiles, Vezer“Estate”
  • CULTURE- “Suisun”…+Pronounced…“Sue-soon”
    • “Self Proclaimed”, “Petite Sirah Capital of the World.”
    • 1840’s- First Planted Vines
    • 1982– AVA. Officially Established.
    • ASSOCIATIONS~ ~Suisun Valley Vinters & Grower~
  • GOING THERE- FESTIVALS~ ~Suisun Valley Passport Wine Festival~ (April)
  • SUB-ZONES Of SUISUN VALLEY
    • CAPELL VALLEY
      • GEOGRAPHY- California, COUNTY-Solano, In Suisun Valley AVA.(North), @Hw.#128
    • WOODED VALLEY
      • WHITE= Chardonnay
      • RED= Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petite Sirah AKA=Durif, Syrah, Zinfandel
      • GEOGRAPHY- California, COUNTY-Solano, In Suisun Valley AVA.(South-West), @Hw.#121
      • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling/ Valley(Wooden)”, +Altitude(400ft.)
      • Vineyards- Windy Flats(20ac.)
    • GORDON VALLEY
      • GEOGRAPHY- California, COUNTY-Solano, In Suisun Valley AVA.(South-East)

NORTH COAST AVA.   @Solano County

  • WHITE=   |   RED= “Almost Everything”
    • **Refer to “AVA.’s” For Grape Information.
  • GEOGRAPHY– California, Northern California
    • COUNTIES-(AVA. Laps)Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, Solano, Sonoma
  • VITICULTURE– Labeled– “NORTH COAST” Wine Produced Non-Conforming to an AVA.
    • Grapes Can Be Source From Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties.
  • CULTURE- 1983- AVA. Officially Established.

**Refer to “BIBLIOGRAPHY/ Sources” For Details On Scholarly Works Referenced.