North Coast - Napa Valley Flashcards
How many AVA’s and Winerys
16 AVA
475+ Wineries
First recognized at the Judgment of Paris in 1976, Napa Valley is one of the world’s most important fine wine regions. However, at only 45,342 acres (18,349 hectares), it’s a relatively small area, less than 15% the size of Bordeaux, and accounts for just 4% of California’s total wine production. Napa Valley was granted AVA, or American Viticultural Area, status in 1981, making it the first AVA in California and the 2nd in the US.
Napa Valley produces less than 0.4% of the world’s wine and accounts for just 4% of California’s total annual wine production. Average high prices of Napa Valley wines, however, account for over 25% of the state’s total wine revenues
KEY VARIETIES
Cabernet Sauvignon (51%),
Chardonnay (13%),
Merlot (9%),
Pinot Noir (6%),
Sauvignon Blanc (6%), and
Zinfandel (3%)
CLIMATE
Warm-summer Mediterranean (Csb)
KEY SOIL TYPES
Volcanic, Maritime/Sedimentary, Alluvial, Colluvial
Sub AVA’s
Calistoga
Coombsville
Los Carneros (shared with Sonoma County)
Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley
Oakville
Rutherford
St. Helena
Stags Leap District
Yountville
Sub AVA’s Hillside
Atlas Peak
Chiles Valley
Diamond Mountain District
Howell Mountain
Mt. Veeder
Spring Mountain District
Wild Horse Valley (shared with Solano County).
Calistoga
Topography/Elevation/Water Sources/Geographic Features
Elevation: 300 to 1200 feet (92 to 370 m)
Rainfall: up to 60 inches (96.5 to 150 cm) annually
Geology/Soil Composition
Almost completely of volcanic origin, soils range from rocky, stony loam on the hillsides, to gravelly or cobbly loams on the alluvial fans, and heavier clay-silt soils in the valley center areas.
Climate
Warm to hot, depending upon time of year. Calistoga AVA has the most extreme diurnal swing in Napa Valley of all AVAs, meaning the day time and night time change in temps is very large. Daytime summer temperatures may peak above 100° (38°C) and fall to low 40s°(6°C) at night due to cool afternoon and evening breezes drawn in from the Chalk Hill Gap from the Pacific.
Main Grape Varieties
Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Syrah, Petite Sirah
Coombsville
Topography/Elevation/Water Sources/Geographic Features
Elevation:100-1000 feet (30-305 m)
Rainfall: 25 inches (65 cm) annually
Geology/Soil Composition
Primarily weathered volcanic rock and alluvial deposits from the Vaca Range that surrounds the region
Climate
Weather is moderated by its proximity to the San Pablo Bay. Daily average high temperatures can be as much as 10 degrees cooler during the hot months than most other AVAs, and heat spikes tend to be less severe.
Main Grape Varieties
Dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon on the hillsides with Merlot, Chardonnay, Syrah and Pinot Noir in the lower, cooler sites
Los Carneros
Topography/Elevation/Water Sources/Geographic Features
San Pablo Bay itself is the overarching influence in Los Carneros, dictating temperatures, diurnal swings (or lack of), and the potential length of the growing season across the board. The Pacific Ocean is close enough on the west to influence the vineyards to a lesser extent on the Sonoma side of the AVA.
Elevation: Sea level to 700 feet (0 to 213 m)
Rainfall: Lowest in Napa Valley: up to 24 inches (10 cm) annually.
Soil Composition
Clay dominated, very shallow in general, with more loam and hillside alluvials in the northern section. Yields typically are restrained by the hard claypan subsoil, which prevents deep-rooting.
Climate
Cool, with prevailing marine winds from the San Pablo Bay and through the Petaluma Gap to the west. High temperatures during summer rarely exceed 80°F (27°C) with less diurnal range variation.
Main Grape Varieties
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Merlot and Syrah
Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley
Topography/Elevation/Water Sources/Geographic Features
Elevation: sea level to 800 feet (244 m)
Rainfall: 36 inches (90 cm) annually.
Geology/Soil Composition
The valley’s largest alluvial fan formed by Dry Creek creates the defining feature of the district. The northwest area is composed of volcanically derived soils, with stony or gravelly consistency. South and east areas are transitional from gravel to silty clay loam.
Climate
Moderate to cool: marine air and fog can remain until late-morning. Late afternoon breezes frequently occur, maintaining slightly cooler temperatures than upper valley. Mid-summer temperatures may reach 92° F (33°C) and drop to around 50°F (10°C) at night.
Main Grape Varieties
Merlot, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling
Oakville
Topography/Elevation/Water Sources/Geographic Features
Elevation: 130 - 1000 feet (40 to 305 m).
Rainfall: 35 inches (87.5 cm) annually.
Geology/Soil Composition
Primarily sedimentary gravelly alluvial loams on the western side, with more volcanic but heavier soils on the eastern side. Low to moderate fertility and fairly deep, with average water retention.
Climate
Moderately warm, with temperatures commonly in the mid-90°F (34-35.5°C) range in high summer, but also still strongly affected by night and early morning fog, which helps keep acidity levels good. East side of the AVA receives warmer afternoon sun.
Main Grape Varieties
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc
Rutherford
Topography/Elevation/Water Sources/Geographic Features
Elevation: 155 to 500 feet (47 to 152 m).
Rainfall: 38 inches (95 cm) annually.
Geology/Soil Composition
Western benchland is sedimentary, gravelly-sandy and alluvial, with good water retention and moderate fertility. The eastern side has more volcanic soils, moderately deep and more fertile.
Climate
Moderately warm, still marginally influenced by early morning fog. Western bench area is cooler, with less late afternoon sun, tempered by afternoon marine winds. (This AVA averages a bit warmer than Oakville and Stags Leap District). Usual summer peak temperatures are mid-90°F (34-35.5°C) with a large diurnal range.
Main Grape Varieties
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Zinfandel, Sauvignon Blanc
St. Helena
Topography/Elevation/Water Sources/Geographic Features
Elevation: 200 to 475 feet (46 to 145 m).
Rainfall: 38 to 40 inches (95 to 101 cm) annually.
Geology/Soil Composition
South and west borders are more sedimentary, gravel-clay soils, with lower fertility and moderate water retention. Further north and to the east soils are prevalently volcanic in origin and are deeper and more fertile.
Climate
Warm, due to greater protection from western hills, with less fog or wind incursions. This narrowest part of the Napa Valley floor floor provides more heat reflection off the hillsides. Mid-summer temperature peak is often in mid-to-high 90°s (35° to 37°C).
Main Grape Varieties
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah, Zinfandel, Sauvignon Blanc
Stags Leap District
Topography/Elevation/Water Sources/Geographic Features
Elevation: Sea level to 400 feet (20 to 123 m).
Rainfall: 30 inches (75 cm) annually.
Geology/Soil Composition
Volcanic gravel-loams on the floor of the valley, with rocky hillsides, and low to moderate fertility due to hard clay subsoils.
Climate
Moderately warm with afternoon marine winds acting as an “air-conditioner” to cool the warmer air radiating off the bare rocks of Stags Leap itself and the surrounding hillsides. Mid-summer temperatures can reach 100°F (37.7°C), but more regularly are in mid-90° range (34° to 36°C).
Main Grape Varieties
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc
Yountville
Topography/Elevation/Water Sources/Geographic Features
Elevation: 20 to 200 feet(6 to 61 m).
Rainfall: 32 inches (80 cm) annually.
Geology/Soil Composition
Principally gravelly silt loams, sedimentary in origin, and gravelly alluvial soils with rock, moderately fertile.
Climate
Moderate, with cool marine influence and fog contributing to cool summer mornings and the strong breezes of San Pablo Bay keeping afternoons more comfortable than further up valley. Mid-summer peak temperatures may reach low 90°F (33°C), with noticeable diurnal fluctuation to the mid-50°F range (13°C).
Main Grape Varieties
Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
