Archive for the ‘Napa Valley Wineries’ CategoryNapa Valley is a great destination to plan a vacation where you are a wine connoisseur or you know absolutely nothing about wine but you would like to learn. There is a keen belief that you need to be a wine expert in order to enjoy a trip to Napa Valley; however, the truth of the mater is that you can still enjoy a great time in Napa Valley even if you are not very knowledgeable about wine. If you are considering starting a wine cellar at home, a trip to Napa Valley is a great way to educate yourself about different types of wine as well as stock up on quality wines at reduced prices. First, be aware that when you plan a trip to Napa Valley it is a good idea to make your reservations in advance. Napa Valley has truly experienced a surge in popularity in recent years. More than five million people visit Napa Valley and take wine tours each year. As a result, it is a good idea to make reservations in advance. St. Helena was the focal point of early commercial wine production in the Napa Valley region. As a result of the production of wine in this region, the entire wine industry in California was shaped. The town of St. Helena was established in 1855. Several years later, in 1861, the first winery was established in the Valley by a German immigrant. His name was Charles Krug. A number of other German immigrants soon followed in his steps, including the Schrams and the Beringers. Krug went on to become one of the first major vintners in Napa Valley. Born in 1825 in Prussia, Krug had been a political radical as a youth. Later he moved to Alto, California and became a neighbor of Agoston Haraszthy, who became Krug’s mentor regarding the production of grapes and wine. Before long, Krug began producing wine for others. One of his first clients was George Yount, of Yountville fame. Rutherford Wineries have become known in the last few years in international circles. The number of accolades they have received have brought a great amount of respect and admiration to Napa Valley. In fact, Rutherford Wineries has come to be associated with some of the best wineries in the entire state. In particular, Rutherford Wineries are known for their vast production of excellent red wines. The well drained soils and warm climate in the Rutherford region have created an area that is ideal for growing red Bordeaux varietals such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. As a result of the award winning wines produced in this region, Rutherford has also become one of the most popular wine tour destinations in the Napa Valley region. The wineries of Atlas Peak in Napa Valley are situated along the eastern hills. This region has become revered for red grapes that are full-bodied such as Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese. Within Atlas Peak, you will find a number of premier wineries including Cobblestone Vineyards, Dominari, Ardente Winery and Atlas Peak Vineyards. The sunny, elevated climate of Atlas Peak has allowed the wineries in this region to be less affected by the morning fog that is quite common to the valley floor. The cool winds that come in from the Bay ensure that the acidity in the grapes in Atlas Peak is high. When visiting the area, you will find that the temperatures in Atlas Peak are somewhat cooler than on the floor of the valley. This is due to the southern location and elevation of Atlas Peak. As a result, Atlas Peak wineries are able to enjoy an extended growing season. Compared to other regions in Napa Valley, harvest time in Atlas Peak can be as much as two weeks later. On the western side of Napa Valley, on the Mayacamas Mountains, you will find the Spring Mountain wineries. There are approximately two dozen vineyards and about 20 wineries located in this region. The dramatic landscape of this region is the perfect backdrop for wine tours. One of the most interesting aspects of Spring Mountain is its unique microclimate. In fact, the climate in Spring Mountain is quite different from what you will find on the floor of the valley. The marine breezes blowing in frequently help to cool the area throughout the day, creating a blend of acidity and tannins that are quite remarkable. While fog frequently settles on the floor of the valley during the night, this is less of a problem in Spring Mountain. As a result, the nights are often warmer; leading to the production of red grapes which are fuller bodied. St. Helena has become known not only for producing fine wines but also for being the business center in Napa Valley. If you are traveling to the area and looking for accommodations, this area is certainly worth considering. The picturesque town is home to some 6,000 residents and features some of the most beautiful wine country in the area. In addition, you will have the opportunity to tour some of the most prestigious wineries in the entire state of California. The warm climate in St. Helena has contributed to its development as a premier wine region. Most of the wineries in St. Helena produce wines that are Cabernet Sauvignon based and do so with tremendous success. Some of the most well known wineries in St. Helena include Charles Krug, Beringer and Vineyard 29. Situated directly in the heart of the Napa Valley wine region, Oakville experiences some of the best weather in the area with days that are warm and sunny. The soils in the area, which are comprised of gravelly loan, are particularly well drained; allowing vintners in the area to produce some of the best wines in the area. More than 90% of the land in the region is planted with vineyards ranging from a number of Bordeaux varietals as well as Sangiovese, Syrah and Zinfandel. Although the warm temperatures and sunshine of the region are common in the Northern Napa Valley, the Oakville climate is somewhat cooler than Rutherford, which is situated to the north. While Cabernet Sauvignon is certainly one of the king crops in Oakville, you will find that it receives somewhat less dominance in Oakville than in Rutherford. Opus One, one of the premier wineries in Oakville, is home to one of the most famous Cabernet blends in the entire state. If you are planning a stay in Napa Valley, you may wish to make your accommodations in Yountville. You will find a number of luxurious options in Yountville as well as a variety of boutique shopping options. As a result, this is one of the most popular regions in Napa Valley among tourists. Most of the wineries in this region have developed right along with the town. If you had visited the region twenty years ago, you would have found only a handful of wineries. In the last few years a number of changes have come to this part of Napa Valley. As a result, this area has also experienced tremendous development. When you first decide to visit Napa Valley you may well find that the most difficult decision is which winery or wineries you want to visit. This is because there are literally hundreds of wineries in Napa Valley, scattered throughout a 35 mile area that can be broken down into several different regions within that area. Napa Valley, located in Napa County, is just one of the many wine regions in the wine country of Northern California; however, it is certainly one of the most well known. In fact, Napa Valley is thought to be one of the most vital wine growing regions in the entire United States. Some of the most well known wineries in Napa Valley include Chateau Montelena, Beringer and Charles Krug Winery; however, there are many, many other wineries located throughout Napa Valley as well. While wine production in Napa Valley did suffer during Prohibition; following World War II, the wine industry in Napa Valley began to experience an upsurge. Although Coombsville is not an official AVA, it is still highly regarded as a fine wine production region. You will find Coombsville just east of Napa. One of the most distinctive differences between the wineries in Coombsville and those in other areas of Napa Valley is the fact that most of the wineries in Coombsville are family owned as well as family operated. This is a decided step away from the many commercialized operations in other Napa Valley regions. In addition, many of the wineries in Coombsville have been owned by the same residents, who live in the area, for quite some time. The climate in the Coombsville region is somewhat of a cross between what you will find in other regions. Coombsville receives a lot of exposure from the wind and fog of San Pablo Bay, much like the regions to the south. There are many parts of Coombsville; however, that feature temperatures that are warmer and similar in nature to the regions in the eastern hills. |