St. Helena District Napa Valley
AVA Information from Napa Valley Vintners
Climate: Warm, due to greater protection from western hills, with less fog or wind incursions. This narrowest part of the Napa Valley floor provides more heat reflection off the hillsides. Mid-summer temperature peak is often in the mid-to-high 90s (35° to 37°C).
Elevation: 200 to 475 feet (46 to 145 m).
Rainfall: 38 to 40 inches (95 to 101 cm) annually.
Soils: South and west borders are more sedimentary, gravel-clay soils, with lower fertility and moderate water retention. Further north and to the east, soils are predominantly volcanic in origin and are deeper and more fertile.
Principal varieties and characteristics: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot: deep, ripe, often jammy flavors, with firm tannins for structure and acid for long cellaring. Appealing aromas of currant and black fruit. Syrah: Fleshy, supple, and slightly earthy. Zinfandel: Blackberry-like, well-structured. Sauvignon Blanc: Fresh and forward, passion fruit and lemon, crisp and fresh, not "grassy".
AVA Information from Napa Valley Vintners
Climate: Warm, due to greater protection from western hills, with less fog or wind incursions. This narrowest part of the Napa Valley floor provides more heat reflection off the hillsides. Mid-summer temperature peak is often in the mid-to-high 90s (35° to 37°C).
Elevation: 200 to 475 feet (46 to 145 m).
Rainfall: 38 to 40 inches (95 to 101 cm) annually.
Soils: South and west borders are more sedimentary, gravel-clay soils, with lower fertility and moderate water retention. Further north and to the east, soils are predominantly volcanic in origin and are deeper and more fertile.
Principal varieties and characteristics: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot: deep, ripe, often jammy flavors, with firm tannins for structure and acid for long cellaring. Appealing aromas of currant and black fruit. Syrah: Fleshy, supple, and slightly earthy. Zinfandel: Blackberry-like, well-structured. Sauvignon Blanc: Fresh and forward, passion fruit and lemon, crisp and fresh, not "grassy".
Beringer Winery
Atmosphere: A wonderful winery to go to if you want to learn about Napa Valley's successes and struggles in California wine history.
Service: This is a very busy winery; a reservation or taking a tour is recommended if one wants a more personal experience.
Tasting Tools: Good glasses. Spit buckets handy. No crackers. Good lighting.
Wine Availability: Sold at the tasting room, fine wine shops, supermarkets and their website.
Cost: Prices starting at $25 and up Tasting Programs, Tours, Mandarin Tours (普通话讲解游览),
Sutter Home
Atmosphere: A small tasting room decorated with a long tasting bar and old oak vats used for fermentation long ago.
Service: This is a very busy winery, so if you want to learn more about Sutter Home's famed White Zinfandel and how they started it all, I recommend going here early on a weekday.
Tasting Tools: Good glasses. Spit buckets handy. No crackers. Good lighting.
Wine Availability: Sold at the tasting room, supermarkets and their website.
Cost: Complimentary, and many of the wines available for tasting are winery exclusive.
0 comments