CA: Napa, Sonoma, Northern Flashcards
(115 cards)
1
Q
List 5 producers Sonoma Coast
A
Hirsch
Littorai
Peay
Aubert
Ceritas
Marcassin (Fort Ross Seaview)
2
Q
List 3 RRV producers
A
Joseph Swan
Rocchioli
Williams Selyem
Kosta Browne
Cirq
Kistler
3
Q
List 2 producers Knights Valley
A
Peter Michael
Anakota
Melka “Mekerra”
Galerie “Latro”
Morlet Family Vyds “Mon Chevalier”
4
Q
In which larger AVA is Fort Ross Seaview located?
A
Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County
5
Q
Which AVAs are included within Sonoma Valley?
A
Carneros
Bennet Valley
Moon Mountain
Sonoma Mountain
6
Q
What AVA is inside Russian River Valley, and what is it’s soil type?
A
Green Valley, goldridge soil - sandy loam
Coolest area of the RRV - proximity to the Pacific + holds fog longer than the rest of the valley
7
Q
What kind of soil is in both Alexander and Knights Valleys?
A
Gravel
8
Q
What is the warmest AVA in Sonoma County?
A
Knights Valley
9
Q
Body of water south of Carneros?
A
San Pablo Bay
10
Q
Between which mountains is the Sonoma Valley
A
Mayacamas and Sonoma Mountains
11
Q
List 3 grape species native to the US
A
Vitis labrusca
Vitis rotundifolia
Vitis aestivalis
12
Q
What was the first vintage of Harlan?
A
1990, released in 1996 for $65 a bottle - a lot for the time
13
Q
Where in Napa Valley can fog roll in from Sonoma?
A
San Pablo Bay to the south and the Chalk Hill Gap to the north.
14
Q
Describe the diurnal swings in Napa
A
The biggest drop, up to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, is seen in the north around the Calistoga area, whereas down south the difference averages 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
15
Q
At what elevation (approximately) is the fog line in Napa?
A
1400 feet
16
Q
Difference in climate between Mayacamas and Vaca mountains?
A
the eastern-facing slopes of the Mayacamas enjoy the gentle morning sun while the western-facing Vacas bake in the afternoon heat
17
Q
What are Napa’s 3 bedrock soils:
A
Great Valley sequence (marine sediment)
Franciscan Assemblage (or Franciscan Complex: greywacke sandstone, shales, etc)
Napa Volcanics (also known as Sonoma Volcanics).
18
Q
Los Carneros AVA
vineyards
producers
soil
A
Hudson, Hyde, Poseidon, Sangiacomo (Sonoma), Stanly Ranch, Truchard
Saintsbury,
Etude
Carneros Creek
Bouchaine
clay, sandy
19
Q
Important producers and vineyards Howell Mountain AVA
A
Dunn, La Jota
Cade, Dunn, La Jota
20
Q
Important producers and vineyards Stag’s Leap AVA
A
Pine Ridge, Shafer, Stag’s Leap Cellars, Cliff Lede, Chimney Rock, Baldacci
Fay, Futo 5500, Hartwell, Pine Ridge, Poetry, Regusci, S.L.V., Shafer, Silverado, Sinskey, Steltzner, Wappo Hill
21
Q
Mt Veeder AVA
vineyards
producers
soil
A
Mayacamas, Mt Brave, Lokoya, O’Shaughnessy
Abel 1833, Hess, Lagier Meredith, Mayacamas, Progeny, Scaggs, Sky
Sandstone, shale, clay, sandy loam
22
Q
Important producers and vineyards Atlas Peak
A
Antinori Napa Valley, Kongsgaard, Au Sommet (Heidi Barrett), also grow here: Scribe, Ashes & Diamonds, Turley
Antica, Au Sommet, Kongsgaard, Stagecoach, Water Ranch
23
Q
Important producers and vineyards Rutherford
A
Freemark Abbey, Heitz, Inglenook, Quintessa
Beckstoffer Georges III, Beckstoffer Melrose, Booth Bella Oaks, Inglenook, Frog’s Leap, Long Meadow Ranch, Quintessa, Raymond, Round Pond, St. Supéry, Staglin, Sycamore, Trailside
24
Q
Important producers and vineyards Oakville
A
Dalla Valle, Groth, Peter Michael (Au Paradis), Rudd, Paradigm, Bond, Heitz (Martha’s), Opus One, Harlan, Robert Mondavi
Backus, Beckstoffer To-Kalon, Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper, Dalla Valle,Far Niente, Groth, Harlan, MacDonald, Martha’s Vineyard, Oakville Ranch, Opus One, Rudd, Silver Oak, St. Eden, Tench, To-Kalon, Vine Hill Ranch, Weitz
25
Important producers and vineyards Spring Mountain
Philip Togni, Stony Hill, Barnett, Cain
Barnett, Behrens, Cain, Marston, Newton, Pride, Ritchie Creek, School House, Smith-Madrone, Spring Mountain, Stony Hill, Togni
26
Important producers and vineyards St Helena
Chappellet (P Hill), Colgin (P Hill), Corison (Kronos), Spottswoode
Aida, Beckstoffer Bourn, Beckstoffer Las Piedras, Beringer, Cappella, Charles Krug, Crocker, Edge Hill, Forman, Grace, Hayne, Heitz, Hourglass, Kayli Morgan, Kronos, Lewelling, Library, Madrone, Phelps, Quella, Spottswoode, Turley, Tychson Hill, Vineyard 29
27
Important producers and vineyards Yountville
Dominus, Gemstone
Gemstone, Ghost Block, Grgich, Kapcsándy, Napanook, Paradise Hills, Sleeping Lady
28
Important producers and vineyards Diamond Mountain District
Diamond Creek, Schramsberg
Constant, Dyer, Gravelly Meadow, Jasud, Lake, Red Rock Terrace, Schramsberg, Volcanic Hill
29
Important producers and vineyards Oak Knoll
Lewis, Ashes & Diamonds, Heitz,
Aldo’s, Blackbird, Hendry Ranch, Trefethen
30
Important producers and vineyards Calistoga
Larkmead, Araujo, Ch Montelena
Chateau Montelena, Eisele, Frediani, Jericho Canyon, Lamb, Larkmead, Luvisi, Three Palms, Tofanelli
31
Important producers and vineyards Coombsville
Paul Hobbs, Favia, Palmaz
Arcadia, Caldwell, Dead Fred, Haynes, Judge, Meteor, Moore, Palmaz
32
List 3 producers on Pritchard Hill
Colgin, David Arthur, Ovid, Continuum, Chappellet, Bryant
33
AVAs within Mendocino AVA: (7)
Anderson Valley
Potter Valley
Redwood Valley
McDowell Valley
Yorkville HIghlands
Cole Ranch
Mendocino Ridge (part of)
34
Other AVAs in Mendocino County:
Pine Mountain Cloverdale Peak
Dos Rios
Covelo
Comptche
Eagle Peak Mendocino County
35
What is the smallest AVA in America?
Cole Ranch, less than .25 square miles
36
Mendocino's wine regions are at the confluence of which two rivers?
Russian River, Navarro River in the southern portion of Mendocino County
37
Describe the climate of Anderson Valley?
one of CA's coolest- ocean air and fog come inland along the Navarro river, steep hills
38
Mendocino Ridge AVA - at what elevation does the appellation start?
vineyards must be at least 1,200 feet above sea level. zinfandel thrives here
*only non-contiguous AVA
39
What is the most important AVA in Lake County?
Clear Lake. Inland, but the lake buffers the hot temperatures
sub AVAs: High Valley, Big Valley District
Also oldest freshwater lake in North America
40
Napa Cabernet vintages 2000-2022: worst vintages? Why?
2000- cold october rain, small harvest
2003- uneven ripeness, austere and tannic
2011- rainy harvest, variable quality
2020- fires in Napa, very small red wine harvest. warm dry season, so whites were good. also covid
41
Napa Cabernet vintages 2000-2022: best vintages? Why?
Aside from 2000, 2003, and 2011, all great vintages
2019 was excellent, long growing season
42
2021 Napa Vintage?
Moderate summer temperatures, minimal fires, but drought in the growing season reduced yields. no extreme heat so wines may be lighter. the fruit quality was great though
43
CA Pinot Noir vintages 2010 - 2021- worst vintages?
2020* - central and southern california had good years, fires up north
2017: SLH fine, Spring rains, warm summer, September heat wave yielded wines that are showy up front, but mostly lack structure
2015: large crop, tannic wines
2012: large crop, tannic wines
2011*: rain at harvest, lighter body, uneven quality. SLH ok
* worst
44
CA Pinot Noir vintages 2010-2021 - best?
2021: 91-94: Windy weather at bloom led to a small crop set, then another warm, drought-influenced season produced small berries with thick skins; the early buzz on the vintage is one of concentration and structure
2019: 95 A benchmark vintage for California Pinot, with wines showing power, finesse and the structure for cellaring; moderate temperatures and an even-keeled season led to a leisurely harvest, while crop size was on the lower side
45
What are Bond's 5 'Grand Crus'?
all labelled Napa Valley AVA:
Quella - in eastern side of Valley, near Spring Valley
Melbury - in eastern side of Valley, close to Pritchard Hill
St Eden - in Vaca mountains, just north of Oakville crossroad
Vecina - western foothills of Oakville
Pluribus - Spring Mountain
46
Who planted Napa's first vineyard? When?
George Yount, in 1838/9.
In 1836, General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, for whom the town of Vallejo is named, awarded the Rancho Caymus—a nearly 12,000-acre stretch of land that included much of what is now southern Napa Valley—to his former employee George Calvert Yount. Yount would go on to make vinous history when he planted Napa’s first vineyard, a small patch of Mission vines, in 1838 or 1839.
47
When did phylloxera hit Napa?
1880s-1890s. It reduced planted area from 15,000 acres to 3,000 acres
Again in the late 80s: Massive flooding during the winter of 1986 spread phylloxera throughout the valley.
48
Which white wine won the 1976 Judgement of Paris?
Ch. Montalena Chardonnay, 1973 vintage
Chalone Vineyard 1974 was 4th place
49
Which red wine won the 1976 Judgment of Paris?
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars SLV 1973
Ridge Montebello 1971 was 5th place
50
Dalla Valle - where is it located? Top wines produced?
Oakville
Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa $300 retail
Maya, Napa - bdx blend, $600 retail
51
Harlan - where is it located? Top wines produced?
Oakville
Harlan Estate, bdx blend, $1500 retail
The Maiden, bdx blend, $400 retail
52
Screaming Eagle- where is it located? Wines produced?
Oakville
Screaming Eagle Cabernet $3-$4k retail
The Flight - Second Flight $1000 retail
Sauvignon Blanc - $4000 retail
53
Colgin - where is it located? Wines produced?
St Helena - Pritchard Hill area
Colgin IX Estate Red - bdx blend, around $700 retail
Colgin Jubilation - bdx blend, $280 retail
54
Opus One- where is it located? Wines produced?
Oakville
Opus One - bdx blend, $460 retail
Overture - bdx blend, $160 retail
55
Diamond Creek - where is it located? Single vineards? Wines produced?
Diamond Mountain District
Gravelly Meadow - ancient river bed, pebbles/ gravel, porous soil. $300 retail
Red Rock Terrace- iron rich, rocky soils $300 retail
Volcanic Hill- volcanic ash, light "fluffy" soil $300 retail
Lake Vineyard- smallest. gravelly, well drained. $700 retail
also make a 3 vineyard blend - $500 retail
56
What is the highest mountain in the Mayacamas?
Mount Saint Helena, shared by Napa and Lake counties
57
Describe the distribution of different soil types in Sonoma. 5 main types?
generally more granitic to the west of the San Andreas Fault, and more varied to the east
Sonoma Volcanics: ash deposits from old volcanoes further north
Franciscan Complex: ocean floor deposits + rocks
Wilson Grove Formation: marine sandstone
Goldridge: sandy loam, along the Wilson Grove Formation
Altamont: also part of Wilson Grove, reddish, more clay content
58
What was the first AVA in Sonoma? The most recent?
Sonoma Valley in 1981
West Sonoma Coast in 2022
59
What is the most well known producer of Bennet Valley AVA?
(in Sonoma Valley)
Matanzas Creek
60
Describe the climate of Bennet Valley AVA?
in Sonoma Valley, plantings between 400 and 1,100 feet. The elevation, along with exposure to the Petaluma Gap through Crane Canyon, results in a climate that is cooler than that of many other areas of the Sonoma Valley. Soils are volcanic—eroded lava and tuff—though greater alluvial content is encountered at lower sites
known for sauvignon blanc!
61
Which Sonoma AVA lies almost directly west of Mount Veeder AVA? What is the elevation there?
Moon Mounain, in Sonoma Valley. The AVA extends from 400 up to about 2,700 feet in elevation. The fog sits in between, at around 800 feet, creating dramatically different growing conditions depending on elevation.
62
What are Verité's 3 bottlings?
La Joie is based on Cabernet Sauvignon,
La Muse on Merlot, and
Le Désir on Cabernet Franc.
all around $400 retail
63
AVAs within Solano County?
Solano County Green Valley
Suisun Valley
64
Newest AVA in Napa?
Crystal Springs AVA, 2024, becomes the 18th appellation in Napa. In NW Napa, near Howell Mountain, Calistoga, St Helena
65
Charles Krug
credited with establishing Napa Valley's first commercial winery in 1861. His success and leadership sparked a wave of new growth, and by 1889 there were more than 140 wineries in operation, including Schramsberg (founded in 1862), Beringer (1876) and Inglenook (1879).
66
George Calvert Yount
First to plant grapes in Napa, in 1839. He received a 12,000 acre land grant from General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo in 1836
67
When was US Prohibition?
1920 - 18th Amendment, passed in 1919
1933 - repeal with the 21st Amendment
68
Napa Valley Vintners
early vintners realized they would be more successful working together than on their own. In 1944, seven vintners signed the agreement of association that formed the Napa Valley Vintners trade association, now 539 wineries strong.
69
how many AVAs in Sonoma? Napa?
most recent in each?
Sonoma 19 - most recent West Sonoma Coast in 2022
Napa 18- most recent Crystal Springs in 2024
70
Mexican American War - when? result?
from 1846 to 1848; at its conclusion, a swath of land including California was ceded to the United States.
71
What was Mayacamas winery originally?
Fisher- it was one of the foundational wineries in Napa
72
AVAs granted in 2024?
Contra Costa CA
Comptche CA
Yucaipa Valley CA
San Luis Rey CA
Crystal Springs of Napa Valley
Upper Cumberland TN
73
CA's 5 regional AVAs
North Coast
Sierra Foothills
San Francisco Bay
Central Coast
South Coast
74
AVAs of Lake County
Benmore
Big Valley Distict-Lake
*Clear Lake*
Guenoc Valley
High Balley
Kelsey Bench-Lake County
Long Valley Lake County (2023 - newest)
Red Hills-Lake County
Upper Lake Valley
75
monopole AVAs Mendocino
McDowell - McDowell Valley winery;
Cole Ranch - Esterlina
76
Napa vs Bordeaux size
1/8th the size (45,000 acres vs. 290,000)
77
Average cost of Cabernet grapes by ton - Napa vs Sonoma
in 2023
Napa CS: $9,080
Sonoma: $2882
78
Napa average yield
3.5 to 6.5 tons per acre
79
Howell Mountain AVA - elevation
vines must be at least 1400 ft- above fog line
most between 1400 and 2200
80
Napa varietal Merlot bottlings
Keenan
Duckhorn 3 Palms,
Switchback Ridge,
Arietta,
81
Napa varietal Cabernet Franc bottlings
Keenan
La Jota CF,
Gallica CF,
Larkin,
Palazzo,
Ovid Hexameter (CF dominant)
82
Green Valley producers
Freeman,
Kosta Browne,
Iron horse,
Small Vines
83
"estate bottled" in US
100% vineyard land owned or controlled by winery and all in the same AVA
84
US wine law is regulated by ___?
Tax and Trade Bureau
85
largest continuous vineyard in US?
San Bernabe vineyard 5,000 acres - Central Valley, Mckinley Springs in HHH, Columbia Valley - 2800acres (1130ha)
Largest vineyard in Europe is in Romania on Transylvanian Plateau
86
Fort Ross Seaview AVA
elevation
soil
producers
Elevation: 920–1,800 feet
Soil: Sandstone (thin, rocky, and free-draining)
Failla, Flowers, Fort Ross Vineyard, Red Car
87
Alexander Valley AVA
elevation
soil
producers
Elevation: 400–2,500 feet
Soil: Alluvial gravel
Alexander Valley Vineyards, Jordan, Silver Oak, Stonestreet, Rodney Strong
88
West Sonoma Coast AVA
elevation
soil
producers
Average Elevation: 500–1,000 feet
Soil: Franciscan Complex, Wilson Grove Formation, and Alluvial soils
Littorai, Hirsch Vineyards, Peay Vineyards
89
Moon Mountain District AVA
elevation
soil
producers
Elevation: 400–2,700 feet
Soil: Mostly volcanic alongside sedimentary and alluvial
Monte Rosso Vineyard, Montecillo Vineyard
90
first $100 CA wine
1978 Diamond Creek Lake Vineyard Cabernet
91
AVAs in Mayacamas Mtns
Mt. Veeder
Diamond Mountain District
Spring Mountain District
92
AVAs in Vaca Mtns
Howell Mountain
Atlas Peak
93
what is a bench in Napa?
Alluvial fan - the transition between rocky hillsides and valley floor. Gently sloping well-drained earth.
mostly in the western foothills
94
Max degree slope for new plantings in Napa?
30 degrees
95
Wild Horse Valley AVA
Napa Valley - shared with Solano County
Heron Lake Vineyard
96
AVAs within Sonoma Coast
West Sonoma Coast AVA
Fort Ross-Seaview AVA
Petaluma Gap AVA
97
Napa coolest AVAs
Mt Veeder
Oak Knoll
98
Napa warmer AVAs
Calistoga St Helena
99
Coolest AVAs Sonoma
Carneros
Green Valley
Bennet Valley
Petaluma Gap
100
CA AVAs added in 2024
Comptche, Mendocino
Contra Costa, Contra Costa
Crystal Springs of Napa Valley, Napa
San Luis Ray, San Diego
Yucaipa Valley, San Bernardino
101
Napa was the __ AVA in the US?
2nd
Augusta AVA in MO was the first, in 1980
102
oldest continuously producing block of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir?
in Sonoma - Hanzell / 1953 / Ambassador block
103
In California, wines labeled over 14% ABV are allowed a plus/minus of what?
1% wiggle room
104
CA- % required when labeled with a grape?
75%
105
who makes Jackass Hill?
Martinelli. RRV Zinfandel
106
Anderson Valley AVA
soil
producers
vineyards
Soil: Mostly loam based
Key Producers: Roederer Estate, Goldeneye, many Sonoma-based producers sourcing fruit from the region
Important Vineyards: Savoy, Cerise, Bearwallow, Ferrington
107
Coombsville
elevation
soil
Elevation: 100–1,000 feet
Soil: Volcanic with iron deposits, alluvial fans
108
Diamond Mountain District
elevation
soil
Elevation: 400–2,200 feet
Soil: Volcanic with iron deposits and low fertility
109
Howell Mountain
elevation
soil
Elevation: 1,400–2,600 feet
Soil: Volcanic; shallow and infertile with good drainage
Northwest: Aiken red clay loam
Southeast: Tuff
110
Los Carneros
elevation
soil
Elevation: 0–700 feet
Soil: Very shallow clay, loam on the northern hillsides; irrigation often necessary
111
Mt Veeder
elevation
soil
Elevation: 500–2,600 feet
Soil: Great Valley sequence (sedimentary shale and sandstone), rocky and shallow with low fertility and low water-holding capacity
112
Oakville
elevation
soil
Elevation: 130–1,000 feet (only valley floor AVA to extend to high elevation, boundary was drawn to include Dalla Valle)
Soil:
Western: Weathered Great Valley sequence (sandstone and shale): Gravelly, alluvial loam
Eastern: Volcanic, heavier soils with low to moderate fertility and average water-holding capacity
113
Rutherford
elevation
soil
Elevation: 155–500 feet
Soil:
Western benchland: Sedimentary, gravelly sand, alluvial; moderate fertility
East: Volcanic; deep and fertile
114
Spring Mountain AVA
elevation
soil
Elevation: 600–2,600 feet
Soil:
South: Franciscan (sedimentary sandstone and shale), low fertility, well-drained
North: Volcanic, low fertility, well-drained
115
USA - abv wiggle room
alcohol content stated must be within a tolerance of:
for wines under 14%: 1.5%
for wines over 14%: 1%
