Napa Valley General Knowledge

Question 1

Ancient History

Answer 1

Spanish control in the 1770s.
Original vines planted near San Diego
Spanish established missions up the coast to Sonoma.
Planted what was called the Mission grape.
Mission grapes, and most wine, was used for sacramental purposes.
Wine became commercialized after the Mexicans seized control in 1833 and began secularizing missions.
1846-1848- Mexican-American War.
This is when California was ceded to the U.S.

Question 2

Modern history

Answer 2

1836- George Yount- starts planting grapes.
1850- California Statehood.
1861- Charles Krug founds Napa’s first commercial winery.
1862- Jacob Schram opens Schramsburg
1876- Beringer winery opens.
1877- Phylloxera
1880- Ingelnook.
1890s- Depression
1920-1933- Prohibition
1938- Andre Tchellistcheff
1966- Robert Mondavi winery is opened.
1968- Mondavi released Fume Blanc.
-Diamond Creek Lake Vineyards opens.
1972- Clos du Val opens.
1976- Judgement of Paris
1978- Diamond Creek Lake Vineyards is the first Napa Cab to sell for over $100.
1980s- Second bout of Phylloxera.
1984- Harlan Estate established.
1990-First vintage from Harlan estate.

Question 3

Probibition

Answer 3

After repeal many grapes were being shipped, unrefrigerated, across the country.

This led to vine pull of most varieties that were replanted with “shipper varieties.”
-Alicante Bouschet
-Petit Sirah
-Zinfandel
-Carignan

Question 4

Climate

Answer 4

Classified as Mediterranean.

Reverse temperature gradient: it is cooler in the south than in the north, most wine regions work the opposite way. This is because of the cooling effect from the San Pablo Bay and cool air funneled from Chalk Hill Gap

Climate Factors:
Fog
Diurnal swings
Rainfall
Frost

Rainfall is higher in the north than in the south. Southern AVAs are 18-25 inches while northern AVAs are around 40-55 inches

Question 5

Topography

Answer 5

Mayacamas to the west; Vacas to the east.

Runs parallel to the San Andreas fault.

Valley floor from 0-750 feet.
-Appears flat but many AVAs have knolls, benchlands, and plantings on slopes.
Mount Veeder: 2,100 feet.
Spring Mountain: 2,200 feet.
Mount St. Helena: 4,000 feet.
Atlas Peak: 2,600 feet

Alluvial Fans: Streams that run down from the hillsides and spread out in a fan shape.

Bench- Relatively narrow strip of land that is either flat or gently rising and is bound by distinctly steeper slopes above or below.