Getting to Know Napa Valley AVA
The Napa Valley is what is commonly referred to as a wine appellation. In the United States, the legal term is American Viticultural Area, or AVA, and Napa Valley was the first in California, designated in 1981.
Within the Napa Valley AVA, regions have been recognized that possess distinct microclimates and terrain that imprint recognizable characteristics on the grapes grown there. These AVAs are commonly referred to as sub- or nested-appellations. This diversity means a wide range of wine grapes grow well here, and provides the winemaker a diverse palette from which to create their wine.
I will be posting about the different nested AVAs of Napa this whole summer. Stay tuned for information about specific wineries, Local hot spots and varietals grown in the areas. For now here is an introduction to each of the Napa Valley nested AVAs.
Atlas Peak
Atlas Peak
CLIMATE: Cool-mountain influenced with temperatures about 10–15° cooler than the valley floor in summer, above the fog line, there is low day-to-night temperature range, with summer rarely rising above 90°
ELEVATION: 760 – 2,600 feet
KEY VARIETIES: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay
Calistoga
Calistoga
CLIMATE: Daytime summer temperatures may peak above 100° and fall to low 40° at night, due to cool marine air drawn into the valley from the northwestern hills, cool afternoon and evening breezes continue the process, clear nights are assisted by cold air sliding down the mountainsides to the valley floor
ELEVATION: 300 – 1,200 feet
KEY VARIETIES: Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Syrah, Petite Sirah
Chiles Valley
Chiles Valley
CLIMATE: Temperatures peak in the mid-80s but due to higher elevation and summer fog at night, quite chilly at night (below 50°); with colder winters and spring, as well as strong winds, harvest comes later than on the valley floor
ELEVATION: 600 – 1,200 feet
KEY VARIETIES: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc
Coombsville
Coombsville
CLIMATE: Cool, with marine winds from the San Pablo Bay as well as the Petaluma Gap to the west, high temperatures rarely exceed 80°
ELEVATION: Sea level – 700 feet
KEY VARIETIES: Pinot Noir, Merlot, Chardonnay
Diamond Mountain
Diamond Mountain
CLIMATE: Moderately warm temperatures with less fluctuation than the north Napa Valley floor, temperatures in the summer range from 50–90°
ELEVATION: 400 – 2,200 feet
KEY VARIETIES: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
Howell Mountain
Howell Mountain
CLIMATE: Located above the fog line on the eastern side of the valley, the AVA is warmer and drier than other AVAs with more hours of sunshine and little-to-no marine influence
ELEVATION: 600 – 2,600 feet
KEY VARIETIES: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Zinfandel
Los Carneros
Los Carneros (Napa)
CLIMATE: Cool, with marine winds from the San Pablo Bay as well as the Petaluma Gap to the west, high temperatures rarely exceed 80°
ELEVATION: Sea level – 700 feet
KEY VARIETIES: Pinot Noir, Merlot, Chardonnay
Mount Veeder
Mount Veeder
CLIMATE: Cool to moderate, with most vineyards above the fog line, meaning warmer nights and cooler days than on the valley floor, typical summer highs are 85°
ELEVATION: 500 – 2,600 feet
KEY VARIETIES: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Chardonnay
Oak Knoll
Oak Knoll
CLIMATE: Moderate to cool, with marine air and fog often remaining until late morning, afternoon breezes frequently occur, maintaining slightly cooler temperatures than up-valley, summer temperatures may reach 92°
ELEVATION: Sea level – 500 feet
KEY VARIETIES: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc
Oakville
Oakville
CLIMATE: Moderately warm, with temperatures commonly in the mid-90s during summer, but affected by night and early morning fog, the east side receives more warm afternoon sun
ELEVATION: Sea level – 500 feet
KEY VARIETIES: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc
Rutherford
CLIMATE: Moderately warm, still marginally influenced by early morning fog, the western bench area is cooler, with less late afternoon sun, tempered by afternoon marine winds, usually summer peak temperatures are mid-90s, with a distinct day-to-night temperature fluctuation
ELEVATION: Sea level – 600 feet
KEY VARIETIES: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Zinfandel
Saint Helena
St. Helena
CLIMATE: Warm, due to greater protection from western hills, with less fog and wind, the narrowing of the valley floor provides more heat reflection off the hillsides, summer temperatures often peak in the mid-to-high 90s range
ELEVATION:100 – 700 feet
KEY VARIETIES: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah, Zinfandel
Spring Mountain
Spring Mountain
CLIMATE: Cool weather prevails, most vineyards sit above the fog line, providing warmer nights and cooler days than the valley floor; typical mid-summer high temperatures reach 85°
ELEVATION: 600 – 2,600 feet
KEY VARIETIES: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Zinfandel
Stag’s Leap
Stags Leap
CLIMATE: Moderately warm with afternoon marine winds cooling the warmer air radiating off the bare rocks of Stags Leap and the surrounding hillsides, summer temperatures can reach 100°, but more regularly are in the mid-90s
ELEVATION: Sea level – 500 feet
KEY VARIETIES: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc
Wild Horse Valley
Wild Horse Valley
CLIMATE: A warmer area well to the east, but still moderate by both altitude and prevailing winds coming off Suisun Bay to the southeast
ELEVATION: 600 – 1,900 feet
KEY VARIETIES: Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Yountville
Yountville
CLIMATE: Moderate, with cool marine influence and fog contributing to cool summer mornings, the marine breeze keeps afternoons more comfortable than further up valley; summer peak temperatures may reach 90° with night time temperatures dropping into the mid-50s
ELEVATION: 20 – 200 feet
KEY VARIETIES: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot