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Areas of Napa County
Oak Knoll / Napa
Just northeast of the city of Napa, this area sits on a higher elevation than most of Napa's wine region. With ample sunlight to nourish the grapes, the views of the Napa Valley and into the San Francisco Bay can be breathtaking.
Yountville
A very quaint town with excellent restaurants and wineries, Yountville is known both as a quiet, down-to-earth place to live as well as an epicenter for high-quality wine and food fare. The town's founder, George Calvert Yount, planted the first vineyard in this area around 1836. Being one of the coolest regions in the valley, it is known for producing very tannic Cabernet Sauvignon with very long aging potential.
Oakville / Rutherford
Oakville and Rutherford are two towns in the center of the Napa Valley that have global repute for their Cabernet Sauvignon. Producing wines of rich texture, firm tannins, and herbaceous overtones, this area is highly coveted both in terms of vineyards and in terms of real estate. With views of both the Vaca and Mayacamas Mountains on either side, this area is the epitome of what living in the Napa Valley is all about.
St. Helena / Spring Mountain
St. Helena is both an official American Viticultural Area (AVA) and a beautiful town, replete with Victorian and stylized homes. It covers some 9,000 acres along the flat narrow land towards the northern end of the Napa Valley, and between the Vaca and Maycamas Mountains. Among its historical settings one will find the Charles Krug Winery, established in 1861, and the Greystone Culinary Institute of America.
Just west and slightly north of St. Helena is the Spring Mountain District which is also an AVA and encompasses some 8,600 acres, approximately 1,000 of which are planted to vineyards. Smaller yields on steep terraces of the Mayacamas Mountains, along the border between Napa and Sonoma counties, have been producing amazingly complex and award-winning wines. The properties, vineyards, and real estate in Spring Mountain are typically extraordinary and difficult to find available.
Calistoga
Located at the northern end of the Napa Valley, Calistoga borders Lake County, a more recent area known for its vineyards. Calistoga is both a quaint town, with one main street that has many small shops and a number of wonderful restaurants, and an area with impressive vineyards, estates, and pedigree. Its warmer temperatures cause grapes to mature sooner than farther south in the valley, but also allow varietals such as Zinfandel to produce excellent fruit. Traveling on highway 29 and the Silverado Trail northbound, the visitor finds this town. In and around it, are both quaint towns as well as luxurious villas—yes, you can have it all!
American Canyon
American Canyon is often referred to as the “Gateway to the Napa Valley” which is very appropriate as it is the city at the entrance to wine country. Within driving distance to San Francisco and Oakland, American Canyon has seen the last few years bring it a new stature as a place to live, raise a family, and enjoy the metropolitan areas while also enjoying the country live. It seems as though everything is just minutes away from American Canyon. Although it has many residential areas, it also has quite a few private, secluded, and exclusive neighborhoods.
Carneros
Pinot Noir and open spaces. Located just north of the San Pablo Bay, this area at the southern end of the Napa Valley enjoyed cool fogs and breezes from the bay, both of which allow it to produce exceptional Pinot Noir, both in still and sparkling wines. Quaint homes and Bourgogne-like vineyard estates dot the countryside.
Atlas Peak
Atlas Peak is an AVA just northeast of the city of Napa, up along a windy road through Soda Canyon. Because it sits on a higher elevation than most of Napa’s wine regions, it allows for an extraordinary view of the Napa Valley as well as the San Francisco Bay, in most cases. Limits on how small lots can be provide for sparse estates with plenty of space around them which, in turn, provide for many beautiful vineyards.
Chiles Valley / Diamond Mountain
Both Chiles Valley and Diamond Mountain have their own AVA’s but, given their proximity, the “living” experience is very similar. Atop mountains just northeast of the Napa Valley, both offer unique soils for producing amazing wines. Along with the amazing wines are absolutely beautiful vineyards and world-class estates which are as exclusive as the wines produced there.
Howell Mountain
Overlooking the town of St. Helena, the Howell Mountain area of the Napa Valley is on the northeast side and is also an AVA. Most vineyard estates are between 1,400 and 2,200 feet above sea level which means that the vines are not affected by the cool fog and wines from the San Pablo Bay.
Mt. Veeder
Long recognized for its excellent wines, Mount Veeder is situated along the Mayacamas Mountains and is also its own AVA. There are 25 square miles of land with 1,000 acres planted to grapevines, typically on mountain faces that are as steep as 30°. It has its own sense of place, with a special terroir, and the real estate which accompanies the fine vineyards is no different.
Stags Leap
The Stags Leap District was brought to the forefront of the American wine industry and, indeed, the world when Stags Leap Wine Cellars won the famed “Judgment of Paris” wine competition in 1976 with it s1973 Cabernet Sauvignon. Since then, well-manicured vineyards have been living side-by-side with beautiful villas and wine estates.
Wild Horse Valley
On the eastern side of the Napa Valley, bordering Solano County, is the Wild Horse Valley AVA. Very much influenced by its proximity to the San Pablo Bay, it produces excellent Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes. Alongside its valley floor vineyards are many wine estates, each with its own characteristics, anywhere from rustic American to classic Mediterranean.
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