Napa Valley

Located within California’s North Coast, Napa Valley accounts for approximately 5% of California’s vineyard acreage. The Valley stretches from the San Pablo Bay in the south to Calistoga in the north, and is home to 16 sub-AVAs, including Carneros, Spring Mountain District, Stags Leap District, Oakville and the newly established Coombsville. There are various microclimates throughout the region, according to our Napa Valley Wine Guide. In the cooler sub-appellation of Carneros, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay benefit from the cool-marine winds funneling in from the San Pablo Bay, which helps to create wines with bright fruit and fresh acids. In contrast, the temperature in Calistoga can reach 100 °F in the summer, creating ultrarripe grapes and, ultimately, opulent wines loaded with fleshy fruit. Many different varietals are grown throughout the region; however, our Napa Valley Wine Reviews reference the most successful being Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot for the reds and Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc for the whites. While the region has a well-documented wine history, suggesting that vines were planted as far back as the mid-1800s, the late André Tchelistcheff of Beaulieu Vineyard is often credited as a founding father of the modernized Napa wine industry. For a complete list of ratings, information and reviews be sure to check out Napa Valley Buying Guide below.