|
|---|
Explore Zinfandel in Napa Valley |
 |
The Napa Valley AVA shares the Mayacamas Mountains (which form its western border) with The Sonoma County AVA. The city of Calistoga and Mount Saint Helena mark the northern border. This is the narrowest point of the region, tucked between the Mayacamas Mountains in the west and the Vaca Mountains in the east. The Napa River has its start here. The valley widens as the river flows its 30 miles south toward the Wild Horse Valley AVA, Los Carneros AVA, the city of Napa (its southernmost point) through San Pablo and San Francisco Bays and out to the ocean. The valley spreads it's 5 mile widest at its southern point. Napa is a viticulturally busy region with more than 400 wineries and vineyards. This region is world famous for its Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Wineries are listed by sub region moving from north to south.
Cool ocean breezes filter up through San Francisco and San Pablo Bays on their way through the viticultural region of Los Carneros, famous for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The breezes, within just a short five miles, are already warmed by the Valley's interior as they head north making their way through the valley's various nooks and crags. This is how the great microclimate diversity in Napa Valley is created which enables the production of world class varietals with widely different growing demands. Napa Valley also has some of the most diverse soils in the world due to its complicated geologic history which includes its volcanic history, the rise and fall of the ocean, plus the overflowing of rivers and streams plus the runoff from the mountains and hills along the length of the valley.
We hope the information in CaliforniaWineOnline.com about the Napa Valley AVA regions and wineries will inspire you to take a trip to visit the wineries and vineyards yourself to experience the atmosphere and taste wonderful hand crafted wines. You could also use just a few keystrokes to Explore California wine and the Napa Valley AVA - from the comfort of your chair. Look through this site for all it has to offer. This website seeks to be a portal to California wine and wine regions. Now you can experience the many great wines that are often available only through the wineries and/or vineyards themselves.
How Great Zinfandel is Created - Terroir
Among Napa Valley's complex soil profiles are those of volcanic origin caused by the colliding of tectonic plates which pieced California together over millennia. Sedimentary and alluvial soils are other components created by the runoff from the Mayacamas and Vaca Mountain slopes that were added to the Napa River. The river (and possibly in the past, the Russian River) periodically floods the valley creating an ongoing maze of soil profiles. Ocean incursions over eons through San Francisco and San Pablo Bays infiltrated the southern portions of Napa Valley to contribute to its layers of sand and clay.
The wines of Napa Valley, including Zinfandel are very complex and full bodied. The heat of the valley and the diverse soils of the region enhance the aromas and flavors of the wines. The warmth contributes to the texture and denseness of the wine and it often brings out a dark chocolate, cocoa, mocha or coffee character. The volcanic soils impart a spicy, white or black pepper, clove, cinnamon or mint character to Napa Valley's wines
Napa's Zinfandel fruit flavors are jammy with blackberry, raspberry, plum, strawberry, black cherry currants. It has caramel highlights and lots of aromatic spicy sandalwood, cedar and pepper
Zinfandel and Food Pairings
This is a wine that, because of its complex spiciness, has a tradition of being paired with grilled barbeque foods - barbequed ribs, hamburgers, sausages. Try zinfandel with ethnic foods that featurecreole spices or curry. The wine can go well with appetizers paired with sharp cheddar, blue cheese, Gruyer or other medium to sharp cheeses.
Then there are desserts. Just like with the other Napa Valley red wines that feature chocolate charactersitics, the wine can be paired with a wide variety of chocolate cakes, souffles, truffles, etc. Pour a cherry or blackberry sauce over the dessert and serve with a glass of Zinfandel.
Herbs that work well with Zinfandel are rosemary, basil bay leaf. Try it with curry.
Create Your Own Tour
Explore one region or sample the highlights of several. Find the links in the navigation bar to the left to move back and forth between the different Napa Valley AVA regions where Zinfandel is grown or visit the different varietals grown in the region. Stay tuned, as over time we will provide more information for you to fine tune your exploration.
Click on the Napa Valley sub-AVA links in the navigation bar on the left to go down the page to explore the AVAs listed in the table below. The Navigation bar provides links to vineyard and winery associations and Chambers of Commerce. These will direct you to information about area restaurants, lodging and local highlights.
California American Viticultural Areas (AVAs)
American Viticultural Areas are unique legally designated grape growing areas that are defined by the TTF (Trade, Tobacco and Firearms). These regions are most often defined by their topography, soil types, climate and sometimes historical relevance. Below, are the AVAs for Napa Valley listed in rough order from north to south.
| Calistoga | Diamond Mountain District |
| Howell Mountain District | Spring Mountain District |
| St. Helena | Chiles Valley District |
| Rutherford | Oakville |
| Yountville | Stags Leap District |
| Mt Veeder | Atlas Peak |
| Oak Knoll | Los Carneros |
| Wild Horse Valley |
Source vs Out Source /Interpreting the Codes
In some of the tables below we have listed the wineries from other California AVA's that produce wines from 100% of the grapes originating from Napa Valley single vineyard sources. In the AVA winery tables below you will find codes at the end of many of the winery listings. These will provide information about the source of the grapes used in their wines. The interpretation of these codes are as follows:
Wineries that offer wines from which the majority of their grapes come from outside of that region will list that AVA name on the wine bottle label. We indicate this by tagging it as OS=Out Sourced. When possible, we will follow that by listing the AVA from which it comes. Single Vineyard wines are sometimes, but not always the same thing as estate wines. Often wineries will make wines from 100% of the grapes from another vineyard and this is indicated by SV=Single Vineyard. Technically, the ES designation means the wine is produced at that winery from 100% of their own grapes. RE=Reserve Wine and this indicates a special edition produced by the winery. The letters above can be combined in different ways, for example SV+OS=Single Vineyard+Out Sourced from another region. OV=Old Vine.
| ES=Estate | SV=Single Vineyard | OS=Out Sourced | SV+OS=Single Vineyard+Out Sourced | OV=Old Vine | RE=Reserve |
|
All Napa Valley wineries/vineyards with websites are entered on this page. Subsequent varietal pages will list only the wineries/vineyards in each sub AVA that grow and/or produce that varietal in the region. Click on the Cabernet Sauvignon logo above on that page to return here to reference the complete list. Light colored wineries do not offer Cabernet Sauvignon.
***A functioning website is the criteria for winery/vineyard inclusion in the lists below.***
Calistoga's approval as an appellation is pending. This region marks the northernmost point of Napa Valley. It is a mountainous region, tucked into the mile wide tip of Napa Valley between the Mayacamas and Vaca Mountains. The focal point is the 4,343 foot dormant volcano, Mount St Helena. The soils, of course, are of volcanic origin and the Napa River has its start here. Volcanic rock imparts a cedar, minty, spicy character to the wines produced in the region.
This is a region of diverse microclimates created by valleys and mountain slopes. This allows for several varietal types including spots that grow outstanding cool climate loving Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Still, Cabernet Sauvignon is the most widely grown grape type in Calistoga.
Calistoga's Zinfandel benefits from the volcanic influences in the soil with generous cedar box, pepper, mahogany, sandalwood and smoke spice. The warmth of the region brings out the wine's jammy raspberry, blackberry, plum, strawberry and ripe peach fruit flavors.
| Barlow Vineyards | 4411 Silverado Trail, Calistoga CA 94515; phone: 707.942.8742; email: info@barlowvineyards.com; website: www.barlowvineyards.com. OS/Napa Valley |
| Calistoga Cellars | 1170 Tubbs Lane, Calistoga CA 94515; Phone: 707.942.7422; Fax: 707.942.4716; website: www.calistogacellars.com. Open Th-Tu 10-4:30 for tastings & tours by appointment. $$ OS/Napa Valley |
| Chateau Montelena Winery | 1429 Tubbs Lane, Calistoga CA 94515; Phone: 707.942.5105; website: www.montelena com. Open daily 9:30-4. $$ ES |
| Madrigal Vineyards | 3718 N St Helena Highway (PO Box 937), Calistoga CA 94515; Phone: 707.942.6577; Fax: 707.942.6576; email: contact@madrigalvineyards.com; website: www.madrigalvineyards.com. Tours and tastings by appointment. OS/Napa Valley |
| On ThEdge Winery | 3747 Langtry Road, St Helena CA 94574Phone: 707.963.4926; Toll Free: 877.668.4334; Fax: 707.967.8805; Tasting Room: 1255 Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga CA 94515; email: info@onThEdgeWinery.com; website: www.onthedgewinery.com. SV |
| Saviez Vineyards Wine Co | 4060 Silverado Trail, Calistoga Ca 94515; Phone: 707.942.5889; Fax: 707.942.6037; email: mike@saviezvineyards.com; website: www.saviezvineyards.com. ES |
| Summers Estate Wines | 1171 Tubbs Lane, Calistoga CA 94515; Phone: 707.942.5508; email: info@summerswinery.com; website: www.sumwine.com. Open daily 10:30-4:30. ES |
| Zahtila Vineyards | 2250 Lake County Highway, Calistoga CA 94515; Phone: 707.942.9251; Fax: 707.942.9241; email: sales@zahtilavineyards.com; website: www.zahtilavineyards.com. ES, OS/Sonoma Dry Creek |
Moving south and west from Calistoga is the Diamond Mountain District AVA. Its elevation is 400 to 1,800 feet, well above the fog line, and it encompasses the steep, rocky hillsides and canyons of the Mayacamas Mountain Range which forms the western border of Napa Valley. The Diamond Mountain District has a unique microclimate with nights and mornings warmer than the fog cooled valley below. As afternoon approaches, inversions carry ocean cooled air up to moderate the temperatures. This extends the growing season for the grapes. The soils are mostly volcanic ash and red loam clay.
There is no Zinfandel grown in the Diamond Mountain District.
| Graeser Winery | 255 Petrified Forest Road, Calistoga CA 94515; Phone & Fax: 707.942.4437; email: richard@graeserwinery.com, website: www.graeserwinery.com. OS/California |
Howell Mountain's elevation is between 600 feet and 2,200 feet placing it high above the fog. The Mountain's climate is unique because of the cooler daytime temperatures at this high elevation than those in the valley. As night approaches, the heavier, cooler mountain air sinks to the valley and the lighter, warmer valley air rises up to the higher elevations. This lifted, warmer air bathes the grapevines in throughout the night and creates a perfectly moderate climate, ideal for the slow ripening of grapes.
Tectonic activity created Howell Mountain. The soils include iron rich clay, tuff, compressed volcanic ash, and volcanic rock. This soil is low in nutrients, the reason for Howell Mountain's bold and intense Cabernet Sauvignon. Merlot and Zinfandel are other grapes primarily grown in the region. This is one of the first approved Napa Appellations and dates back to 1983.
Howell Mountain Zinfandel has complex aromas and flavors. The aromas reflect the wine's volcanic soil influences with plenty of allspice, ginger and black pepper spice aromas that complement the blackberry, plum, blueberry, raspberry, and black cherry fruit that has been dipped in sweet chocolate with a mineral and floral finish. The flavors have pepper, cinnamon, cardamom and mace spice with fruit flavors of raspberry, cherry, blackberry, currants and plum with caramel wrapped in a chocolate finish.
| Cornerstone Cellars | P.O. Box 10767, Napa CA 94581; Phone: 707.363.6828; email: jannovo@rap.midco.net. website: www.cornerstonecellars.com. OS/Napa Valley |
| Highlands Winery | P.O. Box 3239, Napa CA 94558; Phone: 707.603.2096, Fax: 707.603.2098; email: info@highlandswinery.com, website: www.highlandswines.com. SV |
| Howell Mountain Vineyards | 1515 Spring Street, St. Helena CA 94567; Phone: 707.967.9676, fax: 707.963.3920; website: www.howellmountain.com. Tasting Room: A Dozen Vintners, 3000 Hwy 29, St. Helena CA 94574; Phone: 707.967.0666. Open daily 10-5. SV+OV/Napa Valley |
| Lamborn Family Vineyards | 1984 Summit Lake Drive, Angwin CA 94508; Phone: 925.254.0511, Fax: 952.254.4531; email: mike@lamborn.com, website: www.lamborn.com. Visits by appointment only. ES |
| Outpost Wines | 2075 Summit Lake Drive, Angwin CA 94508; Phone: 707.965.1718; Fax: 707-965-1761; email: outpost@starbend.net; website: www.outpostwines.com. ES |
| Robert Craig Wine Cellars | 625 Imperial Way, Suite #1, Napa CA 94559; Phone: 707.252.2250 ex 11, Fax: 707.252.9162;Tastings Room 880 Vallejo Street, Napa CA 94559; email: rachel@robertcraigwine.com, website: www.robertcraigwine.com. Open Monday-Saturday by appointment only. OS/Sierra Foothills |
| Summit Lake Vineyards & Winery | 2000Summit Lake Drive, Angwin CA 94508; Phone: 707.965.2488, Fax: 707.965.2281; www.summitlakevineyards.com. Open daily by appointment only. $10 per person. ES |
Spring Mountain District is a rugged mountain region. The vineyards are high above the fog line, between 400 to 2,600 feet. This also means that it benefits from the daily temperature inversions marked by somewhat cooler days. The evening breezes and fog make their way from San Francisco and San Pablo Bays to lift the warmer air into these higher vineyards where they bathe the grapes in nighttime warmth.
Spring Mountain District Zinfandel has bright berry fruit and spice aromas and flavors.
| Fife Vineyards | 3620 Road B, Redwood Valley CA 95470; Phone: 707.485.0323; Fax: 707.485.0832; website: www.fifevineyards.com. Open daily 10-5 @ The Napa Wine Co, Oakville, CA; 707.944.1710. SV+OV, SV+OS/Mendocino, Chiles Valley |
| Robert Keenan Winery | 3660 Spring Mountain Road (PO Box 142), St Helena CA 94574; Phone: 707.963.9177; Fax: 707.963.8209; email: rkw@keenanwinery.com; website: www.keenanwinery.com.Tastings by appointment only. OS/Napa Valley |
St Helena is located in the Mayacamas Mountain Range with an eastern exposure that receives mostly morning light. Heat during this sunny portion helps to create St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon's dense and robust fruity character. Temperatures cool here in the afternoon as the light softens. This slows the ripening of the grapes and extends the growing season. The Cabernet Sauvignon wine flavor characteristics are strongly influenced by St. Helena's predominantly alluvial soils. There are about 1,000 of the 6,000 acres in St. Helena planted as vineyards.
St. Helena's Zinfandel is complex and layered with blueberry, clove, black cherry, cracked pepper, wafts of rose petal, blackberry, wild raspberries, toffee, and chocolate aromas. The flavors are jammy and fruit forward with black cherries, cranberries, caramel, blackberry, raspberry, plums, spices and sprinkled with cocoa powder, pepper and spice.
| Ballentine Vineyards | 2820 St Helena Highway N, St Helena CA 94574; Phone: 707.963.7919; Fax: 707.963.6090; email: info@ballentinevineyards.com; website: www.ballentinevineyards.com. Open daily 10-5. ES+OV |
| Blockheadia Wines | 7415 St Helena Highway (PO Box 255881, St Helena CA 94599; Phone: 707.480.6197; Toll Free: 800.764.1220; Fax: 707.480.6197; website: www.blockheadia.com. OS/Sonoma Valley |
| Buehler Vineyards | 820 Greenfield Road, St Helena CA 94574; Phone 707.963.2155; Fax: 707.963.3747; website: www.buehlervineyards.com. Tours and tastings by appointment only M-F 10-4. OS/Napa Valley |
| Chameleon Cellars | 1330 Sylvaner Avenue, St Helena CA 94574; Phone: 707.256.0144; Fax: 707.963.2696; email: Jeff@chameleoncellars.com; website: www.chameleoncellars.com. No tastings nor tours. Winemakers dinner info - winedinner@chameleoncellars.com. |
| Charles Krug Winery | 2800 Main Street (PO Box 191) St Helena CA 94574; Phone: 707.967.2200, tasting room: 700.682.KRUG, 707.967.2229; website: www.charleskrug.com. OS/Napa Valley |
| Charter Oak Winery | 1636 Scott Street, St Helena CA 94574; Phone: 707.963.2298; email: fanucci@charteroakwine.com; website: www.charteroakwine.com. SV+OV (1880), OS/Sonoma Valley |
| Chase Cellars | PO Box 508, St Helena CA 94574; Phone: 707.963.1284; Fax: 707.963;8716; email: mail@chasecellars.com; website: www.chasecellars.com. Open by appointment only. ES+OV (1901), ES+RE |
| Folie a Deux Winery | 7481 St Helena Highway, Oakville CA 94562; Phone: 707.944.2565; Toll Free: 800.535.6400; Fax: 707.944.0250; email: fadinfo@folieadeux.com; website: www.folieadeux.com. Open daily 10-5. Tours by appointment only. OS/Amador, Sierra Foothills |
| Freemark Abbey Winery | 3022 Saint Helena Highway N (PO Box 410), St Helena CA 94574; Phone: 800.963.0554; Fax: 707.963.0554; email: wineinfo@freemarkabbey.com; website: freemarkabbey.com; Tours & tastings by appointment only M_F 10-4 OS/Napa Valley |
| Heitz Cellars | 500 Taplin Road, St Helena CA 94574; Phone: 707.963.3542; Fax: 707.963.7454; website: www.heitzcellar.com. Tasting room: 436 St Helena Highway S, St Helena CA 94574. Open daily 11-4:30. OS/Napa Valley |
| Hess Collection | 4411 Redwood Road, Napa CA 94558; Phone: 707.255.1144; email: info@hesscollection.com; website: www.hesscollection.com. Open daily 10-5. $$ Tours by appointment only: 707.255.1144 x213. OS/Napa Valley |
| Joel Gott Wines | 945 Main Street, St Helena CA 94574; Phone: 707.963.3365; email: info@gottwines.com; website: www.gottwines.com. SV+OS/Lodi, Amador |
| Kuleto Estate | 2470 Sage Canyon Road, St Helena CA 94574; Phone: 707.963.9750; Fax: 707.963.4859; website.: www.kuletoestate.com. Tours and tastings M-SA by appointment only. $$ |
| Markham Vineyards | 2812 St Helena Highway N (PO Box 636), St Helena CA 94574; Phone: 707.963.5292; Fax: 707.963.4616; email: admin@markhamvineyards.com; website: www.markhamvineyards.com. Tours by appointment, call Reyna Blasko, 707.302.2036. Open daily 10-5. $$ |
| Merryvale Vineyards | 1000 Main Street, St. Helena CA 94574; Phone: 707.963.7777; website: www.merryvale.com; Open daily 10-6:30 |
| Nichelini Winery | 2950 Sage Canyon Road, St Helena CA 94574; Phone: 707.963.0717; Fax: 707.963.3262; email: nichwine@nicheliniwinery.com; website: www.nicheliniwinery.com. Open S&Su 10-6 and holidays otherwise by appointment only. |
| Round Hill/Rutherford Ranch Vineyards & Cellars | 1680 Silverado Trail, St Helena CA 94574; Phone: 707.968.3200; Fax: 707.963.0834; email: info@rutherfordwine.com; website: www.roundhillwines.com. Tastings by appointment only. Sales daily 10-4:30. (white zinfandel) |
| Rust Ridge Ranch & Winery | 2910 Lower Chiles Valley Road, St Helena CA 94574; Phone: 707.965.9353; Fax: 707.286.5502; email: rustridge@rustridge.com; website: www.rustridge.com. ES |
| Titus Vineyards | PO Box 608, St Helena CA 94574; Phone: 707.963.3235; Fax: 707.963.3257; website: www.titusvineyards.com. ES |
| V Sattui Winery | 1111 White Lane, St Helena CA 94574; Phone: 707.963.7774; Toll Free (800.799.2337) Fax: 707.963.4324; email: info@vsattui.com. website: www.vsattui.com. Open daily 9-5 winter, 9-6 summer. SV+OV+OS/Napa Valley, OS, Howell Mountain, Mendocino, Lodi |
| Vineyard 29 | PO Box 93, St Helena CA 94574; Phone: 707.963.9292; email: info@vineyard29.com; website: www.vineyard29.com. Not open to the public. Visits by reservation only 2-4 weeks in advance. $$ |
Chiles Valley is located in the Vaca Mountain Range which forms the eastern border of Napa Valley. There are about 1,000 of the 6,000 acres planted as vineyards. The elevation is between 800 and 1000 feet. The northwesterly flow of air and eventually the fog from the ocean later in the day follows the valley along its southwest to northwest geographic orientation. This creates a cooler region which is additionally enhanced by the cool air that flows down from the 2200 foot hills surrounding the valley. The soils are primarily alluvial.
Chiles Valley District Zinfandel Has aromas that highlight blackberry, nutmeg spice, raspberry, caramel, black cherry , strawberry, white chocolate, saddle leather and cocoa powder. Blueberry, black cherry, baking spices, caramel, cranberry, orange zest, black pepper, raspberry, and saddle leather are the flavor characteristics of this wine.
| Brown Estate Vineyards | Phone: 707.963.2435; email: info@brownestate.com; website: www.brownestate.com. Open T-Sat by appointment - email: visit@brownestate.com. $$ for non members. ES, OS/Napa Valley |
| D-Cubed Cellars | 3233 Sage Canon Road, St. Helena CA 94574; Phone: 707.963.5212, fax 707.963.5213; email: www.dcubedcellars.com Tasting room @ Vintners Collective, 1245 Main Street, Napa CA; 707.255.7150. Open W-M, 11-6, Tuesday by appointment. OS/Napa Valley, St Helena, Howell Mountain |
| Green & Red Vineyard | 3208 Chiles Valley Road, St Helena CA 94574; Phone: 707.964.2346; website: www.greenandred.com. Order wine through the website. Not open to the public.; ES, SV, SV+OS/Napa Valley |
| Kuleto Estate Family Vineyards | 2470 Sage Canyon Road, St Helena CA 94574; Phone: 707.963.9750, fax: 707.963.4859; website: www.kuletoestate.com. Open by appointment M-Sa 10:30-2:30. $$ |
| Nichelini Vineyard | 2950 Sage Canyon Road (Highway 128), St Helena CA 94574; Phone: 707.963.0717; Toll Free: 800.WE TASTE; Fax: 707.963.3262; email: nichwine@nicheliniwinery.com; website: www.nicheliniwinery.com. Open S& S 10-6 or by appointment. |
| RustRidge Vineyards & Winery | 2910 Lower Chiles Valley Road, St Helena CA 94574; Phone: 707.965.9353; Fax: 707.286.5502; email: rustridge@rustridge.com; website: www.rustridge.com. ES |
Rutherford is 50 miles north of San Francisco. They say that the secret of Rutherford's Cabernet Sauvignon is all in the dust. The soils are composed of alluvium and marine sediment with some volcanic influence, particularly on the east side of the region. The climate is warm although there can be as much as a ten degree difference between the northern portion of Rutherford which is warmer and the southern portion. Elevation is about 500 feet.
The Rutherford District Zinfandel is multilayerd with raspberry and blackberry, bramble berry, cranberry and Kirsch cherry fruit with pepper, cardamom, clove and cedar spices. The flavors reflect the Kirsch cherries, blackberry, raspberry, cranberry, black pepper character of the aromas plus touches of anisette, white chocolate, black pepper. The wine is silky and will age well.
| Beaulieu Vineyard | 1960 St Helena Highway, Rutherford CA 94573; Phone: 800.264.6918 x5235; email: visitingbv@bvwines.com; website: www.bvwines.com. Open daily 10-5. $$ |
| Frank Family Vineyards | 1091 Larkmead Lane, Calistoga CA 94515; Phone: 800.574.9463; email: info@frankfamilyvineyards.com; website: www.frankfamilyvineyards.com; Open daily 10-5. OS/Napa Valley |
| Frog's Leap | 8815 Conn Creek Road (PO Box 189), Rutherford CA 94573; Phone: 707.963.4704; Toll Free: 800.959.4704; email: ribbit@frogsleap.com; website: www.frogsleap.com. Open M-Sa 10-4. Tours & tastings by appointment. SV |
| Galleron Wines | PO Box 2, Rutherford CA 94573; Phone: 707.265.6552; Fax: 707.265.6559; email: paula.gal@sbcglobal.net; website: www.galleronwine.com. Open daily 10-5. SV+OS/Sonoma, St Helena |
| Grgich Hills | 1829 St Helena Highway (PO Box 450), Rutherford CA 94573; Phone: 707.963.2784; Toll Free: 800.532.3057; Fax: 707.963.8725; email: info@grgich.com; website: www.grgich.com. Open daily 9:30-4:30. $$ OS/California |
| Merryvale Vineyards | 1000 Main Street, St. Helena CA 94574; Phone: 707.963.7777; 707.963.2225; website: www.merryvale.com; Open daily 10-6:30. SV |
| Niebaum Coppola Wine Estates | 1991 St Helena Highway (PO Box 208), Rutherford CA 94573; Phone: 707.968.1161; Toll Free: 800.782.4266; Fax: 707.963.9084; website: www.niebaum-coppola.com. Open daily 10-5. ES, OS/Napa Valley |
| Peju Province Winery | 8466 St Helena Highway (PO Box 478), Rutherford CA 94573; Phone: 707.963.3600; Toll Free: 800.446.7358; Fax: 707.963.8680; email: contactus@peju.com; website: www.peju.com. Open daily 10-6. ES |
| Tres Sabores | www.tressabores.com; email: jaj@tressabores.com. ES |
The Oakville AVA is next in the journey south. This region is smack dab in the center of Napa Valley. It has quite warm daytime summer temperatures but it is far enough south to begin to benefit more directly from nighttime fog and ocean breezes. The elevation is 75 to 500 feet. The Napa River divides the AVA. The soils of the western portion are primarily sedimentary/alluvial from hillside runoff while on the eastern side there are volcanic contributions.
Oakville's Zinfandel has black raspberry notes and flavors with spices of cedar, black pepper, layered with blackberry, nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon and a burnt sugar finish.
| Miner Family Vineyards | 7850 Silverado Trail (PO Box 367), Oakville CA 94562; Phone: 800.366.WINE; email: info@minerwines.com; website: www.minerwines.com. OS/Napa Valley |
| Napa Cellars | 7481 St Helena Highway (PO Box 433), Oakville CA 94562; Phone: 707.944.2565; Toll Free: 800.535.6400; email: store@napacellars.com; website: www.napacellars.com. Open daily 10-6. OS/Napa Valley |
| Napa Wine Co | 7830-40 St Helena Highway (PO Box 434), Oakville CA 94562; Phone: 707.944.1710; Toll Free: 800-846.9630; email: tastingroom@napawineco.com; website: www.napawineco.com; Tastings daily from 10-4:30. $$ |
| Nickel & Nickel | 8164 St Helena Highway (PO Box 7), Oakville CA 94562; Phone: 707.967.9600; Fax: 707.967.0918; email: info@nickelandnickel.com; website: www.nickelandnickel.com. Tastings & tours by appointment: M-F 10-3, S&S 10-2. $$ SV, SV+OS/Sonoma-Russian River, Dry Creek Valley |
| Paradigm Winery | 1277 Dwyer Road, Oakville CA 94562; Phone: 707.944.1683; Toll Free: 800.963.1683; Fax: 707.944.9328; email: info@paradigmwinery.com; website: www.paradigmwinery.com. Open by appointment only. |
| Robert Mondavi Winery | Highway 29, Oakville CA 94562; Phone: 888.766.6328; email: robertmondavi.reservation@robertmondaviwinery.com.; website: www.robertmondaviwinery.com. Open daily 10-5. OS/Napa Valley |
| Saddleback Cellars | PO Box 141, Oakville CA 94562; Phone: 707.944.1305; Fax: 707.944.1325. website: ww.saddlebackcellars.com; Open by appointment only. OV+OS/Calistoga, Capelle Valley, Sonoma-Russian River. |
Yountville has the distinction of having .possessed the earliest vineyard in Napa Valley, planted by George C. Yount in 1836. Yet, oddly, the region wasn't recognized as an official viticultural area until 1999. Yountville's location in Napa Valley contributes to its world famous wines through its unique climate. Its daily summer temperature variation between day and night can be as much as forty degrees with daytime highs that can top ninety degrees and lows as low as fifty nighttime degrees. This contributes to the bright acidity typical of Yountville's wines. The soils on the east side are volcanic in nature. The west side of the region has a complicated geologic history with periodic coastal incursions and rivier flooding which contributed to layers of very complicated soil profiles which include alluvial and sedimentary soil which comes from the river. The sand, gravel and clay come from the ocean incursion influences.
Yountville's Zinfandel has bright berry jam aromas and flavors with white pepper, black cherry and spice character.
| Bell Wine Cellars | 6200 Washington Street, Yountville CA 94599; Phone: 707.944.1673; Fax: 707.944.1674; email: info@bellwine.com; website: www.bellwine.com. Tastings daily 10:30--4 by appointment. OS/Napa Valley |
| Cosentino Winery | 7415 St Helena Highway, Yountville CA 94599; Toll Free: 800.764.1220; Fax: 707.944.1220; website: www.cosentinowinery.com. OS/Lodi |
| Elyse Wine Cellars | 2100 Hoffman Lane, Napa CA 94558; Phone: 707.944.2900; email: info@elysewinery.com; email: info@elysewinery.com; website: www.elysewinery.com. SV+OS/Mendocino, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley |
| Goosecross Cellars | 1119 State Lane, Yountville CA 94599; Phone: 707.944.1986; Toll Free: 800.276.9210; email: hospitality@goosecross.com; website: www.goosecross.com. SV |
| Noah Vineyards | 6204 Washington Street, Yountville CA 94558; Phone: 707.944.0675; email: info@noahvineyards.com; website: www.noahvineyards.com. SV+OS/Sonoma |
Stags Leap District is roughly 2 miles square. It is located east of Yountville at the 66 to 400 foot elevation in the Vaca Mountain Range. The mountains are a ridge of extinct volcanoes so the soils are a mix of alluvial sediments and volcanic loam. The climate is warmer than Yountville's with summer temperatures sometimes topping 100 degrees. These searing temperatures are moderated by Pacific cooled wind which infiltrates in the afternoon.
The Stag's Leap District was established as a viticultural area in 1989. The name comes from the tale of a stag's great leap to safety across the red rocks of the Palisades as it was pursued by a group of hunters.
Zinfandel is not grown in the Stag's Leap District.
| Robert Sinskey Vineyards | 6320 Silverado Trail, Napa CA 94558; Phone: 707.944.9090; Toll Free: 800.869.2030; email: rsv@robertsinskey.com; website: www.robertsinskey.com. Tours by appointment M-Th. Tastings, open daily 10-4:30. $$ Napa Valley |
Mount Veeder is a 2,677 foot volcanic mountain in the Mayacamas Mountains on west side of Napa Valley. The appellation, named after a 19th century Presbyterian pastor who hiked there, is 24 square miles. Only about 1,000 of Mount Veeder AVA's 15,000 acres are planted in wine grapes. The elevation is between 400 and 2,600 feet. The elevation puts the region above the fog line but temperature inversions cause warm evening air to rise making the nights warmer than the days. The soils are thin, well drained volcanic and sedimentary in nature. The steep elevation limits ground water so the vines are highly stressed which contributes to the high quality intense wine produced in the region.
Mount Veeder Zinfandel has ripe berry fruit with cedar and smoke accents and soft tannins.
| Chateau Potelle Winery | 3875 Mt Veeder Road, Napa CA 94558; Phone: 707.255.9440o; Fax: 707.w55.9444; email: info@chateaupotelle.com; website: www.chateaupotelle.com. Open daily 11-5. |
| Peter Franus | PO Box 10575, Napa CA 94581; Phone: 707.945.0542; Fax: 707.255.4149; email: peter@franuswine.com; website: www.peterfranus.com. OS/Napa Valley |
| Random Ridge | www.randomridge.com; email: info@randomridge.com. OV (1907)+OS/Sonoma |
| Sky Vineyards | website: www.skyvineyards.com; Phone: 707.935.1391; Fax: 510.540.8442; email: info@skyvineyards.com. OS/Napa Valley |
Atlas Peak AVA hangs as a valley 1,450-1,800 feet above the Napa Valley floor. Its soil is composed of volcanic ash and rock which is typical of Napa's various mountains and peaks which were created by tectonic activity. These elevations, above the fog line, benefit from bright sunny days. Atlas Peak enjoys a western exposure in the Vaca Mountains which brings prolonged sun and warmth to the grapes. This warmth benefits Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese. The soil is volcanic and it is highly radiant which brings additional warmth to the region. 1,500 of its 11,000 acres planted as vineyards.
No Zinfandel is grown in the Atlas Peak AVA.
| Jocelyn Wines | 5055 Solano Avenue, Suite G, Napa CA 94558; Phone: 707.257.2821; Fax: 707.257.2903; email: info@jocelynwines.com; website: www.jocelynwines.com. Port+OS/Napa Valley |
Oak Knoll District elevation is sea level to 800 feet located on the eastern side of Napa Valley in the Vaca Mountains. It straddles the Napa River and the soils are alluvial stoney gravel with silt and clay loam. The higher elevations are more volcanic in origin. Oak Knolls southern position makes it's climate heavily influenced by the cool breezes from San Pablo Bay. The District was approved as an AVA in 2004. There are 8,300 acres of which 3,500 are planted. Oak Knoll benefits from its western facing position which provides a long day of sunshine balanced by the cool breezes. This creates a wide range of microclimates which makes this a region where a large variety of grapes can be successfully grown.
Oak Knoll District's Cabernet Sauvignon has the same aroma and flavor profile. The wine tends to be fruit forward with dominant blackberry flavors backed up with anise or cassis fruit. The wines have a definite spicy character often described as cedar or clove. The wines have deep rich hues. They are intense, complex well structured with a silky texture and long finish. Zinfandel has tamarind, strawberry, coffee, cinnamon aromas with a slight peppery finish. Baked plum and sweet ripe berries with cinnamon spice highlight the flavors of the wine.
| Andretti Winery | 4162 Big Ranch Road, Napa CA 94558; Phone: 707.261.1717; Toll Free: 888.460.8463; Fax: 707.259.6776; email: info@andrettiwinery.com; website: www.andrettiwinery.com. Open daily 10-5. |
Los Carneros was designated a viticultural area in 1983. The elevation is from sea level to 1,000 feet. The region is highly influenced by the breezes and fog moving inland from the Pacific Ocean through San Pablo Bay. The prime and world famous grapes grown in Los Carneros are Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Thanks to microclimates, Cabernet Sauvignon is fairly well represented though not a prime grape in Los Carneros. The proximity to the bay and ocean incursions have been great influences in the deposition of soil. At times the region has been a shallow salt marsh and other times a deep marsh so there are a variety of sediments and clay.
Los Carneros Zinfandel has black Cherry, boysenberry, plum and anise fruit with cedar and mint herb aromas. The flavors highlight cranberries, cherries, cassis with peppery notes.
| Castle Vineyards & Winery | 122 West Spain Street, Sonoma CA 95476; Phone: 707.996.1966; Fax: 707.996.1582; email: vic@castlevineyards.com; website: www.castlevineyards.com. Open daily 10-5. OS/Sonoma Valley |
| Cline Cellars | 14737 Arnold Drive, Sonoma CA 95476; Phone: 707.940.4030; Fax: 707.940.4034; Toll Free: 800.546.2070; email: bkelso@clinecellars.com; website: www.clinecellars.com. Tours 11, 1 & 3; Tastings daily 10-6. $$ SV+OS/Contra Costa, OS/California, OV (100 yrs)+OS/Sonoma |
| Homewood Winery | 23120 Burndale Road, Sonoma CA 95476; Phone: 707.996.6353; Fax: 707.996.6935; website: homewoodwinery.com. Open daily 10-4 and by appointment. OS/Napa Valley |
| Ravenswood | 18701 Gehricke Road, Sonoma CA 95476; Phone: 707.933.2332; Toll Free: 888.669.4679; email: cathleen.francisco@ravenswood-wine.com; website: www.ravenswood-wine.com. Open daily 10:30. $$ OS/Sonoma |
| Roche Carneros Estate Winery | 28700 Arnold Drive, Sonoma CA 95476; Phone: 707.935.7115; Toll Free: 800.835.9475; Fax: 707.935.7846; email: info@rochewinery.com; website: www.rochewinery.com. Open daily 10-6 summer, 10-5 winter. OS/Mendocino |
| Tin Barn Vineyards | 21692 Eighth Street East, Suite 340, Sonoma CA 95476; Phone: 707.938.5430; Fax: 707.938.5431; email: wine@tinbarnvineyards.com; website: www.tinbarnvineyards.com. SV+OS/Russian River |
| Truchard Vineyards | 3234 Old Sonoma Road, Napa CA 94559; Phone: 707.253.7153; website: www.truchardvineyards.com. |
Wild Horse Valley, is the smallest Napa AVA, just under 4,000 acres. The elevation is 400 to 1,500 feet. The region has only about 100 acres planted with vines. The valley is located in the very south eastern portion of the Napa Valley AVA and spans a portion of Solano County. Wild Horse Valley experiences the cooler climate associated with the breezes flowing from the ocean through the bays. Cool morning and evening breezes and the elevation of 400 to 1,500 feet ensure that the climate for Wild Horse Valley is cool enough for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. While this has been an AVA since 1988, there is only one winery: Heron Lake Winery. There is no website available for this winery. There are several growers.
© 2007 CaliforniaWineOnline.com
Click on the leaves to return to the top. Click on the logo to return to CaliforniaWineOnline.com.
|
Explore Zinfandel in the Napa Valley AVA. Click on the links below to learn more about Zinfandel in those AVAs.