Wine AVAs of Napa Flashcards
Name the outlined AVA.
Los Carneros
Name the outlined AVA.
Coombsville
Name the outlined AVA.
Oak Knoll District
Name the outlined AVA.
Yountville
Name the outlined AVA.
Stags Leap District (SLD)
Name the outlined AVA
Oakville
Name the outlined AVA.
Rutherford
Name the outlined AVA.
St. Helena
Name the outlined AVA.
Calistoga
Name the outlined AVA.
Mt. Veeder
Name the outlined AVA.
Spring Mountain District
Name the outlined AVA.
Diamond Mountain
Name the outlined AVA.
Howell Mountain
Name the outlined AVA.
Chiles Valley
Name the outlined AVA.
Atlas Peak
What are the main varietal(s) of Los Carneros?
Chardonnay
Pinot Noir
Los Carneros covers parts of what two counties?
Napa and Sonoma Counties
On the Napa side, Los Carneros is home to what wineries?
Cuvaison
Truchard
Etude
Ceja
What are three notable vineyards in Los Carneros?
Hyde
Hudson
Truchard
Describe the climate of Los Carneros.
Influenced by maritime breezes and fog from its southern border with the San Pablo Bay. Cool, with prevailing marine winds from the San Pablo Bay and through the Petaluma Gap to the west. High temperatures during summer rarely exceed 80F (27C) with less diurnal range variation.
Describe the soil of Los Carneros.
Clay dominated, very shallow in general, with more loam and hillside alluvial in the northern section. Yields typically are restrained by the hard claypan subsoil, which prevents deep rooting.
Los Carneros was the first wine region in California to be defined by ____________ rather than ____________ boundaries.
Climate, Political
What are the main varietal(s) of Coombsville?
Cabernet
Los Carneros received its AVA designation in what year?
1983
Coombsville received its AVA designation in what year?
2011
Coombsville is home to what wineries?
Palmaz (Hagen’s Reserve)
Caldwell
Describe the climate of Coombsville
Moderated by its proximity to the San Pablo Bay; Frosts are mitigated , fog covers settle more frequently and burn off later in the day than neighbors to the north; Daily average high temperatures can be as much as ten degrees cooler durning the hot months than most other appellations, and heat spikes tend to be less severe.
Describe the soil of Coombsville.
Primarily weathered volcanic rock and alluvial deposits from the Vaca Range that surrounds the region.
What are the principle varieties and characteristics of the grapes that grow in Coombsville?
Dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon on the hillsides with Merlot, Chardonnay, Syrah and Pinot Noir in the lower cooler sites. Coombsville wines can be recognized by their typically soft but significant tannins, which provide excellent structure and mouth feel, along with underlying layers of earth and mineral flavors; they are quite often approachable yet sophisticated, layered and not at all simplistic.
What are the principle varieties and characteristics of the grapes in Los Carneros
Chardonnay: minerally pear-apple and spice flavors; Merlot: sinewy and lightly herbal, with fine tannins and sleek structure; Pinot Noir: ripe cherry-cinnamon spice flavors with earthy notes.
What are the main varietal(s) of Oak Knoll District?
Cabernet
Merlot
Chardonnay
Oak Knoll District received its AVA designation in what year?
2004
Oak Knoll District is home to what wineries?
Monticello/ Corley Family Darioush Trefethen Robert Biale Black Stallion Lewis
Describe the climate of Oak Knoll District.
Moderate to cool marine air and fog can remain until mid-morning; Late afternoon breezes frequently occur, maintaining slightly cooler temperatures than upper valley; Mid-summer temperatures may reach 92F (33.3C) and drop to around 50F (10C) at night.
Describe the soil of Oak Knoll District.
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 clay loam.
What are the principle varieties and characteristics of the grapes in Oak Knoll District
Merlot, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon; Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon benefit from a longer growing season with slightly cooler temperatures, though crop size is typically less, than in other AVAs. Elegant style is the common theme with fruit flavors of cassis, tobacco and spice typical to Bordeaux-style reds. Chardonnay showcases flavors of crisp apple, mineral notes, and tropical fruit with fine acidity.
Modern history in Oak Knoll District began with the establishment of what wineries? In what era were they established?
Monticello Cellars and Trefethen in the 1960s
What are the main varietal(s) of Yountville?
Cabernet
Yountville received its AVA designation in what year?
1999
Yountville is home to what wineries?
Blankiet Dominus Chandon Girard Kapscandy
What are three notable vineyards in Yountville?
State
Lane
Wolff
Describe the climate of Yountville
Cool air currents from San Pablo bay to the south, are trapped when they reach what are known as the Yountville Mounts. Keeping natural “air conditioning” working even on the warmest summers days. These milder temperatures allow the grapes of the region plenty of time to develop unique flavor characteristics.
Describe the soil of Yountville.
Volcanic soils on the eastern flank are similar to the neighboring Stags Leap District but also features centuries old coastal deposits, and both sedimentary and alluvial soils exist to the west, interspersed with sandy and gravelly loam, as well as a little clay.
What are the principal varieties and characteristics of the grapes in Yountville?
Elegant, rich but silky Cabernet is what Yountville is known for.
__________ planted Napa’s first vineyard in __________ in this area, referred to as _________.
George Yount
1836
NapaNook (Dominus)
What notable restaurant makes the town of Yountville its home?
The French Laundry
What are the main varietal(s) of Stags Leap District (SLD)?
Cabernet
Stags Leap District received its AVA designation in what year?
1989
Stags Leap District is home to what wineries?
Shafer
Stag’s Leap Wine Cellar
Chimney Rock
Silverado
Describe the location of Stags Leap District and its relative size.
Stags leap is in the eastern portion of Napa Valley, 5 to 7 miles north of the town of Napa and east of the Napa River along the Silverado Trail. Barely a mile wide and three miles long, the district compromises roughly 2,700 acres, of which half are planted vineyards.
Describe the climate of Stags Leap District.
Temperatures rise more quickly during the day due to rock facades of the Vaca Range above that reflecting the heat. It has cooler nighttime temperatures due to the breezes of San Pablo Bay, allowing the grapes to achieve an excellent balance of acid and sugar.
Describe the soil of Stags Leap District.
Volcanic gravel-loams on the floor of the valley, with rocky hillsides and low to moderate fertility due to hard clay sub soils.
What are the principal varietals and characteristics of the grapes in Stags Leap District?
Cabernet, with limited plantings of other Bordeaux varietals dominate the vineyards of Stags Leap producing wines, in comparison to Marguax. Stags Leap District wines reflect a marriage of power and grace, like the wines of Margaux. Stags Leap District wines are often referred to as an iron fist in a velvet glove.
Stags Leap District was the first appellation to be designated an AVA based on what?
Soil characteristics
Modern history of Stags Leap District began with the planting of what vineyard in what year? What was the winery that used that vineyard?
Fay vineyard
1961
Heitz Cellar’s
What event grew Stags Leap District reputation? What winery and what wine won in said event and the one that took place ten years later?
The Judgment of Paris
Stag’s Leap Cellar’s Cabernet
What are the main varietal(s) of Oakville?
Cabernet
Oakville received its AVA designation in what year?
1993
Oakville is home to what wineries?
Mondavi Opus One Plump Jack Paradigm Turnbull Groth Far Niete Screaming Eagle
What are three notable vineyards in Oakville?
To Kalon (Beckstoffer) Martha’s Vineyard Missouri Hopper (Beckstoffer)
Describe the climate of Oakville.
Moderately warm, with temperatures commonly in the mid-90F (34-35.5C) range in high summer, but also strongly affected by night night and early morning fog, which helps keep acidity good. East side of the AVA receives warmer afternoon sun.
Describe the soil of Oakville
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.
What are the principal varietals and characteristics of the grapes in Oakville?
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot: Ripe currant and mint flavors, rich texture and full, firm structure tempered by rich fruit. Sauvignon Blanc: Full, steely, yet very fleshy.
By __________, __________ had _________ acres planted in Oakville, calling his vineyard _________.
1877
HW Crabb
130
To Kalon, Greek for “most beautiful”
By what year were what three famed wineries founded, making Oakville the center of one of California’s most important wine districts
1877
Far Niete
Inglenook
Greystone
The opening of __________’s winery in _________ ushered in the modern history of Oakville which is now home to many of Napa’s cult wines such as _________, _________, _________, and _________.
Robert Mondavi 1966 Screaming Eagle Groth PlumpJack Dalla Valle
What are the main varietal(s) in Rutherford?
Cabernet
Rutherford received its AVA designation in what year?
1993
Rutherford is home to what wineries?
Beaulieu Vineyards Inglenook Caymus (1858) Pina Grigich Hills Hall Quintessa Staglin
What are some notable vineyards in Rutherford?
Beckstoffer Georges III
Describe the climate of Rutherford.
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- 90F (34- 35.5C) with a large diurnal range.
Describe the soil in Rutherford.
Western beach land is sedimentary, gravelly- sandy and alluvial with good water retention and moderate fertility. The eastern side has more volcanic soil, moderately deep and more fertile.
What are the principal varietals and characteristics of the grapes in Rutherford?
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Zinfandel: Quite intense cherry and mineral, almost earthy aromas. Flavors are full, ripe, and notably currant with firm, but supple tannins for extended aging.
Rutherford AVA is named after who? Who obtained the land through marriage to who’s daughter?
Thomas Rutherford
George Yount
Who first purchased the property and built Inglenook in what year? Who now owns the property and reinstated the Inglenook name?
Gustave Niobium in 1880
Inglenook first built in 1887
Currently owned by film maker Francis Ford Coppola
_________ purchased the land adjacent to Inglenook and called it _________.
Georges de Latour
Beaulieu
What are the main varietal(s) in St. Helena
Cabernet
St. Helena received its AVA designation in what year?
1995
St Helena is home to what wineries?
Duckhorn Joseph Phelps Freemark Abby Flora Springs Titus Phillipe Melka Rombauer
What are some notable vineyards in St. Helena
Les Piedras (Beckstoffer)
Describe the climate of St. Helena
Warm, due to greater protection from western hills, with less for or wind incursions. This is the narrowest part of the Napa Valley floor and provides more heat reflection off the hillsides. Mid-summer peak is often in the 85F- 90F range.
Describe the soil of St. Helena.
South and west borders are more sedimentary, gravely- 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.
What are the principal varietals and characteristics of the grapes in St. Helena?
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot: deep ripe, often jammy flavors, with firm tannins for structure and acid for long cellaring. Appealing aromas of currant and black fruit. Syrah: Fleshy, supple, and slightly earthy. Zinfandel: Blackberry-like, well-structured. Sauvignon Blanc: Fresh and forward, passion fruit and lemon, crisp and fresh, not “grassy”.
St. Helena is the _________ part of the Napa Valley floor.
Narrowest
_________ established a winery just north of the town of St. Helena in _________.
Charles Krug
1861
What are the main varietal(s) of Calistoga?
Cabernet
Calistoga received its AVA in what year?
2010
Calistoga is home to what wineries?
Chateau Montelena
Amici
Frank Family
Clos Pegas (Sculptor)
What are some notable vineyards in Calistoga?
Dr Crane (Beckstoffer)
Describe the climate of Calistoga.
Warm to hot, depending upon the time of year. Lower humidity summer temperatures peak to 90F (32.2C) and fall to the low 50Fs (11C), the result of marine air entering the northwest. Cool afternoon and evening breezes. Calistoga has the widest diurnal temperature variation in the valley.
Describe the soil in Calistoga
Almost completely of volcanic in origin, soils range from rocky, stony loam on the hillsides, to gravelly or cobble loams on the alluvial fans, and heavier clay-silt soils in the valley center areas.
What are the principal varietals and characteristics of the grapes in Calistoga?
Ripe yet balanced due to large diurnal shift; Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Syrah, Petit Sirah
What are the main varietal(s) in Mt. Veeder?
Cabernet
Mt. Veeder received its AVA designation in what year?
1993
Mt. Veeder is home to what wineries?
Hess Collection
Mayacamas
Describe the climate of Mt. Veeder.
Cold to moderate, with most vineyards above the fog-line, meaning warmer nights and cooler days with less diurnal range than the valley floor. Typical mid-summer high temperatures about 85F.
Describe the soil in Mt. Veeder.
Sedimentary based, former seabed, shallow and generally well drained, as well as more acidic, with low fertility. Most have a sandy-loam texture.
What are the principal varietals and characteristics of the grapes in Mt. Veeder?
Ageability is a hallmark of Mt. Veeder wines. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel: Low yields give red wines a firm, tannic structure with strong earth-berry aromas and rich, but powerful flavors. Chardonnay: Mineral, apple, even citrus flavors with good acidity.
Mt. Veeder is home to approximately _________ growers, producing only __________ % of Napa’s annual output.
20
1.3
Where are most of Mt. Veeder’s vineyards? What is their elevation range, What does this terrain provide for the vineyards?
The Mayacamas Mountains
600- 2,100 feet
Gives the vineyards more direct sunlight and better drainage
Mt. Veeder has the __________ growing season and the _________ yields in Napa Valley.
Longest
Lowest
What are the main varietal(s) in Spring Mountain District?
Cabernet
Merlot
Spring Mountain District received its AVA designation in what year?
1993
Spring Mountain District is home to what wineries?
Barnett Pride Philip Togni Cain Lokoya Spring Mountain Vineyards
Describe the climate of Spring Mountain District.
Cool weather prevailing and smaller diurnal changes (600- 2,200 feet). Fairly cool nights and higher elevations help maintain good acidity. Sits on steep terrain which makes this appellation the coolest and wettest appellations within Napa Valley with the vast majority of rainfall occurring in the winter and less than an inch during the summer.
Describe the soil of Spring Mountain District.
Primarily sedimentary, weathered sandstone/ shale, loam and friable in texture. Drainage is high, fertility low. With only 1,000 acres of vines, 90% of the production is red with 10% white wine production.
What are the principal varietals and characteristics of the grapes in Spring Mountain District?
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot: Powerful, firm, blackberry- currant flavors and often richly tannic, with excellent acidity for aging. Chardonnay, Viognier: Sinewy, firm and not as fruity as those of the valley floor, reveling more citrus and stone fruit flavors.
What are main varietal(s) of Diamond Mountain?
Cabernet
Diamond Mountain received its AVA designation in what year?
1999
Diamond Mountain is home to what wineries?
Diamond Creek
Wallis Estate
CONSTANT
Schramsberg
Describe the climate of Diamond Mountain.
Moderately warm temperatures with lower maximum temperatures and higher minimum temperatures than the valley floor, due to topography and altitude. 50F- (95F in the growing season. 400- 2200 feet in the Mayacamas Range Appellation sits at higher elevation than most of Napa Valley, has less cooling fog and more direct sunlight exposure.
Describe the soil in Diamond Mountain.
Residual uplifted soils of volcanic origin, often redish and very fine grained, even gritty in texture, composed of both weathered sedimentary and volcanic origin.
What are the principal varietals and characteristics of the grapes in Diamond Mountain District?
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc: Firmly structured, rich and fairly tannic when young, with strong black currant, mineral, and cedary flavors. Less supple and fleshly than the valley or beachland wines, with good aging potential. Chardonnay: Full- bodied, yet revealing mineral, green apple- peach aromas with fairly firm acidity. Less richly textured than valley floor vines.
What are the main varietal(s) of Howell Mountain?
Cabernet
Howell Mountain received its AVA designation in what year?
1983
Howell Mountain is home to what wineries?
Moone Tsai
Dunn
Cimarossa
Howell Mountain Vineyards
Describe the climate of Howell Mountain.
Because of the altitude, generally, evening temperatures are warmer and daytime temperatures are much cooler, leveling out spikes in heat that tend to be more exaggerated at lower elevations. A true mountain appellation whose official boundary begins at 1,400 feet.
Describe the soil of Howell Mountain.
Predominantly volcanic, shallow and infertile. Drainage is high, fertility low.
What are the principal varietals and characteristics of the grapes in Howell Mountain?
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel: Powerful, firm, blackberry- currant flavors and often richly tannic, with excellent acidity for aging. Chardonnay, Viognier: Sinewy, firm and not as fruity as those of the valley floor, revealing more citrus and stone fruit flavors.
What are the main varietal(s) of Chiles Valley?
Cabernet
Zinfandel
Chiles Valley received its AVA designation in what year?
1999
Chiles Valley is home to what wineries?
Volker Eisele
Brown Estate
Describe the climate of Chiles Valley.
Fairly warmer summer days (mid- 80F plus/ 28.8- 31C), but due to higher elevation and summer fog at night, quite chilly at night (below 50F/ 10C). With colder winters and spring, as well as strong winds, harvest comes later than the floor at Oakville (800 to 1,300 feet).
Describe the soil in Chiles Valley.
On the valley floor, primarily alluvial soils with silty- clay composition of marine origin, with good fertility. Hillsides show more clay- loam and stony clay composition, mostly marine in origin, with some volcanic outcropping, and less fertility. Appellation is very narrow and runs southeast to northwest. Steep ridges surround the area, so grapes are only grown on the valley floor.
What are the principle varietals and characteristics of the grapes in Chiles Valley?
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc: Cabernets usually reveal a lush yet firm texture with good acidity, firm tannin, and distinctive cherry- blackberry flavors. Merlot typically has vibrant black cherry flavors mixed with a touch of cocoa. Located in that Vaca Range, Chiles Valley has a warmer and more continental climate compared to other areas of Napa Valley.
What are the main varietal(s) of Atlas Peak?
Cabernet
Atlas Peak received its AVA designation in what year?
1992
Atlas Peak is home to what wineries?
Atlas Peak
Pahlmeyer
VinRoc
What are some notable vineyards in Atlas Peak?
Stagecoach
Describe the climate of Atlas Peak.
Cool, mountain- influenced, with temperatures about 10 to 15F cooler than the valley floor in the summer. Above the fog line in the Vaca Range, there is a low diurnal change, with summer temperatures rarely above 90F (760- 2,600 feet).
Describe the soil of Atlas Peak.
Volcanic in origin, with basaltic red color, shallow with limited water retention, so irrigation is often essential. Atlas Peak fruit from the famed Stagecoach vineyards is used by many top Napa wineries.
What are the principal varietals and characteristics of the grapes in Atlas Peak?
Cabernet Sauvignon: Bright berry and cherry fruit, and more acidity than wines from Stags Leap District. Chardonnay: Crisp, floral, aromatic, with distinctive pear- mineral flavors and bright acidity.
What are the main varietal(s) of Pritchard Hill (Napa Valley)
Cabernet
Wines produced on Pritchard Hill use what AVA designation?
Napa Valley
Pritchard Hill is home to what wineries?
Chappellet Bryant Family Vineyards Cogin David Arthur Continuum BRAND
Describe the climate of Pritchard Hill.
Like Atlas Peak, with swirling breezes of Lake Hennessy constantly moderating temperatures.
Describe the soil in Pritchard Hill.
Volcanic in origin, with basaltic red color with excellent drainage.
What are the principle varietals and characteristics of the grapes in Pritchard Hill?
Cabernet Sauvignon often blended with other Bordeaux varietals with some examples of world class Syrah: Well structured, age- worthy wines that are not so tightly wound that they wont be enjoyed young with decanting/ aeration.
Where is Pritchard Hill located?
Non-defined area in the Vaca Range north of the Atlas Peak AVA.
Who established Pritchard Hill and whose advice did they follow upon producing their first wine in what year?
Don Chappellet
Andre Tchelistcheff
1969
Don Chappellet did what to the Pritchard Hill name that will make it unlike to ever become an AVA under this name?
Trademark
The _________ family purchased land on Pritchard Hill in the ________s but it wasn’t till ________ when their son _________ David Arthur Long planted vineyards, releasing the first vintage of ________ in _________.
Long 50s 1980 David Arthur Long David Arthur 1985
Who established Continuum? Who are they descendant from?
Tim Mondavi
Son of Robert Mondavi and brother of Michael Mondavi
