Napa Valley AVA

Napa Valley AVA is an American Viticulture Area (AVA) located in Napa County, CA.   Napa County, a legal wine appellation, was established in 1850, one year before Sonoma County.  The Napa Valley AVA covers the  majority of the county - leaving only a small portion of land northeast of Chiles Valley AVA, where few grapes are grown.

The Napa Valley AVA has over 42,000 acres of vines and is considered the top wine region in the United States. Napa Valley AVA is actually a combination of 14 established sub regions as well as a new one pending. Those sub-appelations are: Atlas Peak,Chiles Valley, Diamond Mountain, Howell Mountain, Losneros, Mt. Veeder, Oak Knoll District, Oakville, Rutherford, Spring Mountain, St. Helens, Stags Leap, Wildhourse, Yountville and the one pending, Calistoga. While wine production in the area dates back over 100 years it is only in the last 40 years or so that grape growing and wine production really took off to the point that there are over 450 wineries in operation today.

The area is ideal for growing grapes. The climate similar to the Mediterranean in combination with the varying topography and complex soils all play a role. The valley has suffered through the great Depression and prohibition.

In 1976 California wineries were invited to participate in a blind tasting against French wines held outside Paris. The fact that Napa Valley’s Chateau Montelena’s Chardonnay garnered the gold medal really told the world we are on the world stage. 

It has since become one of the state’s top tourist spots.

For centuries water has brought nutrients down to the valley floor from the Myacamas Mountains on the west and the Vaca Mountains to the east. The floor itself goes from sea level to almost 400 feet and contains largely volcanic lava and ash, perfect for the vines. The southern part of the valley has benefited from the ebb and flow of the waters from San Pablo Bay resulting in layers of sediment.

Within the valley are several microclimates beginning with the warm days and cool nights in Los Carneros to the hot days and warm nights of Stags Leap.

By the end of the 19th century there were nearly 150 wineries in the area. Development was pioneered by George Yount followed by names known today the likes of Charles Krug, Inglenook, Berringer and Chateau Montelena.

Napa Valley AVA

Atlas Peak

Calistoga

Chiles Valley

Diamond Mountain District

Howell Mountain

Los Carneros

Mt. Veeder

Oak Knoll District

Oakville Rutherford

Spring Mountain District

St. Helena

Stags Leap District

Wild Horse Valley

Yountville

Est.: 1981

Size:  42,000 acres of vines

Wineries: 300+

Varietals Grown - Hundreds; the most popular include:

Barbera

Cabernet Franc

Cabernet Sauvignon

Chardonnay

Dolcetto

Malbec

Merlot

Nebbiolo

Petit Syrah

Petit Verdot

Pinot Grigio / Pinot Gris

Pinot gris

Pinot Noir

Sangiovese

Sangiovese

Sauvignon Blanc

Syrah

Syrah / Shiraz

Viognier

Zinfandel

An interesting player in the region was Brother Timothy of the Christian Brothers Winery. Beginning with making sacramental wine near Benecia, he expanded operations after the repeal of the Volstad Act (Prohibition) co-branding both the wine and Brother Timothy’s face.

Because of the variance in soil and climates (See Terroir) and the many microclimates, many, many varietals are grown here.

More information is available on these Napa wine trade and travel sites: