California

Question 1

Name four AVAs (American Viticultural Areas) within the Napa Valley AVA that are known for producing premium quality wines

Answer 1

Howell Mountain 
Saint Helena
Rutherford
Oakville
Stag's Leap
Mount Veeder
Los Carneros

Question 2

Name four climatic and/or geographical factors that can craft premium wines in Napa Valley and explain why these factors are suitable for producing premium wines:

Answer 2

Factor 1: San Pablo Bay/San Francisco Bay ‘cool afternoon Breezes’- the proximity to this bay and therefore the Pacific Ocean contributes cooler winds that can reduce the temperatures leading to more balance in the grapes.

Factor 2:Morning fogs(6am-9am) moderate the temperature of the entire Napa Valley up to around 1400 feet in altitude. This will refresh the vineyards after the hot day before and lead to higher natural acidities in the grapes.

3. Heat trap via the mountains-the Mayacames (west) and the Vaca (east) mountain ranges cause a heat trap effect especially in the Central Napa Valley (Rutherford and Oakville) Causing greater ripeness and more powerful wines
4. Altitude-both the Mayacames and Vaca Mountain ranges are a source of higher altitude creating cooler growing conditions and longer growing seasons that contribute to greater acidities and tannins in the wines such as Howell Mountain AVA or Mount Veeder.