Wikipedia

Napa Valley AVA

Napa Valleyis anAmerican Viticultural Area (AVA)located inNapa County,California.It was established by theBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF)on January 27, 1981. Napa Valley is considered one of the premier wine regions in the world.[4]Records of commercial wine production in the region date back to the nineteenth century,[5]but premium wine production dates back only to the 1960s.[4]

Napa Valley
Wine region
Napa Valley Vineyard
TypeAmerican Viticultural Area
Year established1981[1]
Years of wine industry166[1]
CountryUnited States
Part ofCalifornia,Napa County,North Coast AVA
Other regions inCalifornia,Napa County,North Coast AVASonoma Valley AVA
Sub-regionsLos Carneros AVA,Howell Mountain AVA,Wild Horse Valley AVA,Stags Leap District AVA,Mt. Veeder AVA,Atlas Peak AVA,Spring Mountain District AVA,Oakville AVA,Rutherford AVA,St. Helena AVA,Chiles Valley AVA,Yountville AVA,Diamond Mountain District AVA,Coombsville AVA,Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley AVA,Calistoga AVA[2]
Climate regionMediterranean
Total area122,735 acres (49,669 ha)
Size of planted vineyards43,000 acres (17,401 ha)[3]
No.of vineyards400+
Varietals producedCabernet Sauvignon,Merlot,Cabernet Franc,Pinot noir,Zinfandel,Chardonnay,Sauvignon blanc,and more
No.of wineries612[3]

The combination ofMediterranean climate,geographyand geology of the region are conducive to growing quality wine grapes.John Patchettestablished the Napa Valley's first commercial vineyard in 1858.[6]In 1861Charles Krugestablished another of Napa Valley's first commercial wineries inSt. Helena.[6]Viticulture in Napa suffered several setbacks in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including an outbreak of the vine diseasephylloxera,the institution ofProhibition,and theGreat Depression.The wine industry in Napa Valley recovered, and helped by the results of theParis Wine Tasting of 1976,came to be seen as capable of producing the best quality wine – equal to that of Old World wine regions. Napa Valley is now a majorenotourismdestination.

Geography

edit

The valley floor is flanked by theMayacamas Rangeon the western and northern sides and theVaca Mountainson the eastern side.[7]Several smaller valleys exist within these two ranges. The floor of the main valley gradually rises from sea level at the southern end to 362 feet (110 m) above sea level at the northern end inCalistogaat the base ofMount Saint Helena.TheOakvilleandRutherfordviticultural areas lie within a geographical area known as the Rutherford Bench in the center of the valley floor.[8]The soil in the southern end of the valley consists mainly of sediments deposited by earlier advances and retreats ofSan Pablo Baywhile the soil at the northern end of the valley contains a large volume ofvolcaniclava and ash. Several of the small hills that emerge from the middle of the valley floor nearYountvilleare indicators of the region's volcanic past.

Climate

edit

Severalmesoclimatesexist within the area due to various weather and geographical influences. The open southern end of the valley floor is cooler during the growing season due to the proximity ofSan Pablo Baywhile the sheltered, closed northern end is often much warmer.[9]The eastern side of the valley tends to be more arid due to therain shadowcaused by the western mountains and hills.

Napa Valley's climate and geography are shaped by a unique cooling effect, crucial for premium grape growing.[10]Originating from a cold ocean current from Alaska, this effect involves fog formation and cool air influx from the Pacific, offset by warmer air rising from California's Central Valley. This dynamic results in a climate system where fog and cooler sea air are drawn inland through valleys, create ideal conditions for high-quality viticulture.[11]The region's complexity extends to varying topography, sun exposure, and diverse soils, contributing to a wide array of microclimates or terroirs within a relatively small viticulture area. Napa Valley, despite its linear appearance, is a tapestry of climate influences from the adjacent Vaca and Mayacamas mountain ranges, alongside varied lithologies influencing vineyard substrates.[12]This geographical diversity, coupled with the Mediterranean climate characterized by hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters, impacts grape growing in the Napa Valley. Rainfall distribution and the daily summer fog, which typically shrouds the valley until mid-morning, vary across the region, affecting grape variety and quality.[12]However, the potential impacts of climate change pose new challenges: rising global temperatures and possible disruptions to the cooling effect could alter the conditions that have historically favored premium grape growing in Napa Valley.[13]

History

edit
Grapes in a Napa Valley vineyard

Early years

edit

Early pioneer and settlerGeorge C. Yountis generally credited to have been the first to grow grapes in the Napa Valley.[6]In 1864, on the marriage of one of his granddaughters to Thomas Rutherford, Yount gave the couple around 1,000 acres (4 km2) of land, which Rutherford dedicated to winemaking.[14]

Commercial production started in 1858, withJohn Patchettselling wine for $2 per gallon.[6]His wine cellar, built in 1859, narrowly predates that established in 1861 inSt. HelenabyCharles Krug,although this is commonly cited as the Napa Valley's first winery.[15]

Captain Gustave NiebaumestablishedInglenook Wineryin 1879 near the village of Rutherford.[16]This was the firstBordeauxstyle winery in the US. Inglenook wines won gold medals at the1889 World's Fair in Paris.

In 1868H. W. Crabbbought land near Oakville close to theNapa River.Crabb established a vineyard and winery named To Kalon, and by 1877 had planted 130 acres (0.5 km2) and was producing 50,000 US gallons of wine per year. Crabb experimented with over 400 grape varieties to find the types best suited for the area.

By the end of the nineteenth century, there were more than one hundred and fortywineriesin the area. Of those original wineries, several still exist in the valley today includingBeaulieu,Beringer,Charles Krug,Chateau Montelena,Far Niente,Mayacamas,Markham Vineyards,andSchramsberg Vineyards.

Phylloxera, Prohibition and the Great Depression

edit

Viticulture in Napa suffered several setbacks in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. ThePhylloxeralouse killed many of thevinesthroughout the valley.Prohibition,enacted in 1920, caused many wineries to shut down. A few remained open with agreements to producesacramental wine.Growers who elected to keep their vines planted sold their crops to home winemakers.[17]TheGreat Depressionslowed the wine business further. These events stalled the growth of the wine industry inNapa County, Californiafor years.

Modern era

edit

André Tchelistcheffis generally credited with ushering in the modern era of winemaking in California. Beaulieu hired Tchelisticheff in 1938.[18]He introduced several techniques and procedures to the region, such asaging winein smallFrench Oakbarrels, cold fermentation, vineyard frost prevention, andmalolactic fermentation.

Opus One vineyard in Napa Valley

FollowingProhibition,Beringer Vineyardsinvited attendees of theGolden Gate International Expositionto visit the winery using promotional maps printed with the phrase "All roads lead to Beringer" in 1939. The winery also invited Hollywood stars includingClark Gable,Charles LaughtonandCarole Lombardto visit. These early promotions are considered to be the birth of wine-based tourism that is now a large part of the economy of Napa Valley today.[19]

Brother Timothy ofChristian Brotherswinery was also instrumental in establishing the modern wine industry in Napa. After an earlier career as a teacher, he transferred to the order's Mont La Salle located onMount Veederin theMayacamas Mountainsnorthwest of Napa in 1935 to become the wine chemist for the order's expanding wine operations. Christian Brothers had grown grapes and madesacramental wineinBenicia, Californiaduring Prohibition, but decided to branch out into commercial production of wine and brandy after the repeal of Prohibition. The science teacher was a fast learner and soon established Christian Brothers as one of the leading brands in the state's budding wine industry. Brother Timothy's smiling face in advertisements and promotional materials became one of the most familiar images for wine consumers across the country. Following theSecond World War,the wine industry in Napa began to thrive again.

Opus One Vineyard

In 1965, Napa Valley iconRobert Mondavibroke away from his family'sCharles Krugestate to found his own winemaking operation inOakville.It was the first new large scale winery to be established in the valley since prohibition and included the original To Kalon land. After this, the number of wineries in the valley grew rapidly, as did the region's reputation.

Napa Valley as a top wine region

edit
A Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley
Mature Napa vines

During theBicentennial,the region gained international recognition from theParis Wine Tasting of 1976when featured Napa ValleyChardonnayandCabernet Sauvignonvintages ranked #1 honors, scored by renown Frenchoenophiles,besting several famous French labels in ablind tastingformat. The news of the wine competition, termed the "Judgment of Paris", was immediately published by aTime magazinearticle and later portrayed in the 2008 Hollywood film,Bottle Shock.The results of the momentous event established Napa's international reputation as a premier wine-producing region.[20][21][22]

A modern outbreak of phylloxera was discovered in the valley in 1983 in a vineyard planted withAxR1rootstock.[23]Many growers seized upon this outbreak as an opportunity to switch to varieties that were better suited to the climate and soil. By the late 1990s about 75% of the affected vineyards had been replanted with phylloxera resistant rootstock.[24]The growers in the region have since channeled their energy to battle theGlassy-winged sharpshooter,a non-native pest that carriesPierce's disease.[25]

A trend of larger national and international companies likeE & J Gallo Winery,DiageoandConstellation Brandsbuying smaller wineries, vineyards and brands began to gain momentum in the early part of the 21st century.[26]Today Napa Valley features more than 450 wineries that grow grape varieties includingCabernet Sauvignon,Chardonnay,Pinot noir,Merlot,Zinfandel,among others. While winemakers may produce wines from specific AVAs within the valley, many wines are made as ablendfrom grapes grown on the valley floor and the surrounding hillsides.

Enotourism

edit

More than 4.5 million people visit Napa Valley each year, making it a very popular tourist destination in California.[27]

American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) of Napa Valley

edit
A Cabernet Sauvignon from the Stags Leap District of Napa Valley.

Within the Napa Valley AVA, there are sixteen sub-AVAs:[1][2]

Area Date created
Los Carneros (Carneros) Aug 18, 1983
Howell Mountain Dec 30, 1983
Wild Horse Valley Nov 30, 1988
Stags Leap Jan 27, 1989
Mt. Veeder Feb 20, 1990
Atlas Peak Jan 22, 1992
Spring Mountain May 13, 1993
Oakville Jul 2, 1993
Rutherford Jul 2, 1993
St. Helena Sep 11, 1995
Chiles Valley Feb 17, 1999
Yountville Mar 19, 1999
Diamond Mountain Jun 1, 2001
Oak Knoll Feb 25, 2004
Calistoga Dec 8, 2009
Coombsville Dec 14, 2011

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^abc"Napa Valley Viticultural Area"(27 CFR Part 9 [TD ATF-79; Re: Notice No. 3371] Final Rule).Federal Register.46(18).Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms,Treasury Department:9061–9063. January 28, 1981.This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.
  2. ^ab"Napa Valley Appellations".Napa Valley Vintners.Archivedfrom the original on February 25, 2021.RetrievedJune 6,2022.
  3. ^ab"Napa Valley (AVA): Appellation Profile".Appellation America.2007. Archived fromthe originalon October 31, 2007.RetrievedOctober 29,2007.
  4. ^abRobinson, Jancis(September 6, 2008)."California".JancisRobinson.com.Archived fromthe original(Tasting Notes & Wine Reviews)on April 4, 2014.RetrievedJanuary 2,2011.
  5. ^A Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California.Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co. 1891. Archived fromthe originalon March 27, 2009.RetrievedJanuary 2,2011.
  6. ^abcdBrennan, Nancy (November 21, 2010)."John Patchett: Introducing one of Napa's pioneers".Napa Valley Register.RetrievedJanuary 2,2011.
  7. ^Kilpatrick, Kirk (June 9, 2018)."Have Napa Valley's mountains ever" peaked "your interest?".Napa Valley Register.RetrievedJuly 21,2021.
  8. ^"The Rutherford and Oakville AVAs - Early Days".Vinous.com. September 13, 2006.RetrievedJuly 21,2021.
  9. ^"Napa Valley Climate".Napawunder.com. Archived fromthe originalon July 21, 2021.RetrievedJuly 21,2021.
  10. ^Gatto, Jonathan; Kim, Byung-oh; Mahdavi, Paasha; Hirochika, Namekawa; Tran, Hung. (2009). "The Future Impact of Climate Change on the California Wine Industry and Actions the State of California Should Take to Address It."
  11. ^Clarke, Oz; Gage, Keith; Gage, Sue (2007).Wine atlas: wines and wine regions of the world(Rev. and updated [ed.] ed.). London: Pavilion.ISBN978-1-86205-782-1.
  12. ^abSwinchatt, Jonathan P.; Howell, David G.; MacDonald, Sarah L. (June 1, 2018)."The Scale Dependence of Wine and Terroir: Examples from Coastal California and the Napa Valley (USA)".Elements.14(3): 179–184.doi:10.2138/gselements.14.3.179.ISSN1811-5217.
  13. ^Campbell, James; Breen, Paige; Scholasch, Thibaut; Kennedy, James; Forrestal, Elisabeth. (2023). "Understanding the impact of climate change on Anthocyanin concentrations in Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon."
  14. ^"Rutherford".SanFranciscoWineTours.com. Archived fromthe originalon September 14, 2010.RetrievedJanuary 2,2011.In 1846, one of Yount's granddaughters married Thomas Rutherford and Yount gave the newlyweds the very generous gift of about 1,000 acres at the northern edge of Rancho Caymus. Following Yount's lead, Rutherford planted grapes and began investing in winemaking in Napa. By the 1880s, the Rutherford area was well established as one of Napa Valley's premium wine districts.
  15. ^"About the Winery - Charles Krug - Napa Valley Winery".Charles Krug. Archived fromthe originalon January 22, 2011.RetrievedJanuary 2,2011.The Charles Krug Winery, first in the Napa Valley and established in 1861, is owned and operated by the Peter Mondavi Family.
  16. ^A Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California.Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co. 1891. Archived fromthe originalon February 28, 2017.RetrievedJanuary 2,2011.
  17. ^Burnham, Kelsey (April 18, 2010)."Prohibition in Wine Country".Napa Valley Register.RetrievedApril 18,2010.
  18. ^"Andre Tchelistcheff, 92, Authority on Wine".New York Times.April 7, 1994.RetrievedJuly 21,2021.
  19. ^Courtney, Kevin (May 26, 2005)."New park named for 'father of wine tourism".Napa Valley Register.Napa, CA:Lee Enterprises.Archivedfrom the original on August 17, 2018.RetrievedAugust 8,2011.
  20. ^Taber, George M. (June 7, 1976)."Judgment of Paris"(Modern Living).Time.Archivedfrom the original on November 8, 2015.RetrievedApril 27,2012.
  21. ^Taber, George M. (September 13, 2005).The Judgment of Paris: California vs France and the Historic 1976 Paris Tasting That Revolutionized Wine.Scribner.ISBN978-0-7432-4751-1.
  22. ^Peterson, Thane (May 8, 2001)."The Day California Wines Came of Age".Business Week.Archived fromthe original(Movable Feast)on October 18, 2007.RetrievedJuly 19,2006.
  23. ^Prial, Frank J. (May 5, 1999)."WINE TALK; After Phylloxera, The First Taste Of a Better Grape".The New York Times.RetrievedAugust 3,2021.
  24. ^Napa Valley AVA: the in's & out's,wineriesandvineyards.com, August 9, 2017,retrievedAugust 3,2021
  25. ^Eberling, Barry (December 20, 2014)."Bug wars: Napa's fight to keep out glassy-winged sharpshooters".Napa Valley Register.RetrievedAugust 3,2021.
  26. ^Lutz, Henry (June 19, 2017)."Big wine companies are snapping up Napa Valley producers and vineyards".Napa Valley Register.Napa, CA:Lee Enterprises.Archivedfrom the original on November 11, 2020.RetrievedJuly 5,2017.
  27. ^"Community & Corporate Partnerships".Lincoln Theatre.RetrievedAugust 3,2021.
edit
Wikimedia Commons has media related toVineyards in Napa ValleyandWineries in Napa County, California.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide forNapa Valley.


38°23′12″N122°21′00″W/ 38.3867°N 122.3500°W/38.3867; -122.3500

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Napa_Valley_AVA&oldid=1241322514"