Napa-Valley

The American Viticultural Area Napa Valley lies entirely within Napa County in the USA. It is about 30 miles long and up to 5 miles wide. Parts of its boundaries run along the county borders with Sonoma, Lake and Solano, along Putah Creek, and at Lake Berryessa.

To the west, the valley is bounded by the Mayacamas Mountains, and to the east by the Vaca Range. The dry Mediterranean climate is influenced by the Pacific, coastal fog and maritime winds. The south is more strongly shaped by the coast, while the central and north-eastern areas are more continental. As elevation increases, rainfall usually rises, while summer daytime temperatures are lower than on the valley floor.

Vineyards extend from almost sea level up to about 2,600 feet. Napa Valley has both volcanic and sedimentary geological materials, formed by tectonic and volcanic activity as well as exposed deposits from an ancient seabed. The soils of the valley floor contain clay, gravel and sand; on the slopes, they are usually shallower, rockier and more strongly of volcanic or sedimentary origin.

The different soils, altitudes, slope angles and mesoclimates create a variety of growing conditions in a small area. Mountain vineyards often have shallow soils that are comparatively low in nutrients, which are associated with lower yields and smaller berries.

The most important grape varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel and Cabernet Franc. Napa Valley produces both red and white wines; Cabernet Sauvignon is among the significant red grape varieties, while Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are among the significant white grape varieties.

The separately defined viticultural area Oakville is located in Napa County. There, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Cabernet Franc are among the important grape varieties. The moderately warm climate with summer temperatures that are often in the mid-90s Fahrenheit, as well as regular evening and early morning fog, is associated with the cultivation of Cabernet Sauvignon and other varieties.

George Calvert Yount planted the first vines associated with viticulture in Napa Valley in 1839. Charles Krug established the first commercial winery in Napa Valley in 1861. In 1968, the Napa Valley Agricultural Preserve was set up to protect agricultural land from urban development. In 1981, Napa Valley received the status of an American Viticultural Area and was thus the first AVA designated in California.

Napa Valley is defined under federal law as an American Viticultural Area according to 27 CFR § 9.23. A wine with the name of a US viticultural area must, as a rule, contain at least 85 percent wine made from grapes grown there and be entirely finished in the state or the states of the named area. Oakville is separately delimited as its own viticultural area according to 27 CFR § 9.134.