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NAPA VALLEY TERROIR

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Napa Valley Climates

Napa Valley is just north of San Francisco is known for it’s consistent weather. It’s climate is mainly hot and dry during the grape growing season. Surrounded by the Vaca and Mayacamas Mountains on 3 sides, the heat sits nicely in the Valley but opens up to the river system to the south. The temperature can vary as much as ten degrees from top to bottom.

Napa Valley microclimates are formed by the hilly features that create a diverse growing cycle for the grapes. This southern Carneros District spouts the Napa river which eventually winds it way to the San Francisco Bay. This forms a premier area for growing wine grapes like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. A multitude of varietals flourish, the many Napa Valley microclimates embellish their unique characters. Compared to the “Mediterranean”, Napa Valley now produces some of the best wines in the world.

Napa Geology

Another factor making Napa Valley terroir an important wine region is the geology of the soil. Marine influences formed from crustal plate movement and occasional flooding from the Napa river system contributed to the great diversity of soil throughout the region. Combined with volcanic features the soil brew laid the groundwork for an amazing place to grow grapes. 

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17 different AVA’s (American Vinicultural Area) or appellations of Napa Valley are primarily based on its soil melting pot. These areas have been designated to help define the unique Terroirs of wine country. The high percentage of soil types and the wonderful variations caused by natural events have created a exciting canvas for winemakers to explore.

Napa Growing Region

This Napa Valley “Terroir” with it’s combination of diverse soil types, warm dry consistent climate, mountainous terrain, microclimate features beacons winemakers. The result has been the production of wonderful wines with immense quality and unique palates. Wine makers across the globe have sought to make a life here and now have established as many as 500+ wineries. One million cases of wine to five hundred cases, opulent wineries and garage production coexist in this exciting wine growing region. World renowned is the label that has been used to describe this very small valley, just 35 miles long that representing a small percentage of California wines. Napa Valley wine country has now become one of the most important wine growing regions in the world.

Napa AVAs

AVAs (American Vinicultural Area) or appellations as they are known is a good way to help define the geography of terroir. These appellations designate the specific area within a region to help make better sense of wines and their origin. Although just as a geographical location of where the grapes were grown, it also provides a reference for wine lovers to keep track of the some their favorite arenas. Unique palates and sensory characteristics become more obvious when touring the different areas of wine country. Appellation designation on a bottle of wine require that most of the grapes involved came from that AVA.  Take a tour of a Napa Valley appellation and discover the unique character of the wine that comes from that its terroir. Master Wine Tours will take you on that journey.