Napa Valley vineyard

Napa Valley vineyard

Napa Valley, with nearly 600 wineries and over 2,500 different wines this valley is the First Wine region of California, located in Napa County, north of San Francisco, is considered like the best wine-producing regions known in the US.

With a Mediterranean climate conducive to growing grapes, are wines dating back to the nineteenth century. It is crossed by the Wine Road called Silverado Trail, Route 29 in California.

It is surrounded by the chain of Mayacanas Mountains to the west and north, and the chain Vaca Mountains to the east, with several small valleys between the two mountain ranges, including the main valley located 110 m above sea level, at the foot of Mont Saint Helena.

The soil consists mainly of sediments previously deposited by the tides of San Pablo Bay, whiles the ground at the north, is volcanic origin and contains a large amount of lava and ash.

Several microclimates exist within the region.

The north is sheltered and protected by the mountains, enjoys a warm climate. While the south of the valley enjoys a cool climate due to its proximity to the San Pablo Bay to the season of grapes growth. The eastern part of the valley tends to be drier because of winter storms bringing rain to the mountains and hills from west.

The culture of the vine and wine are the main resources of the economy of Napa Valley.

Visiting wineries & vines can does with the Napa Valley Wine Train, which is an original way to explore the landscape of the valley and vineyards.

The number of tourists coming to taste the wines of the valley is estimated at over 4 million, making this region the second tourist destination in California.

With the possibility also benefited from the regional culture and a Mediterranean lifestyle. This region is also known for its restaurants, some of which are several Michelin-starred, allowing you to satisfy your culinary curiosity.

Wild vine certainly ran in abundance at the beginning, in the Napa Valley, but it took George Calvert Yount, the settlers to exploit the growing potential of the region.

George Calvert Yount built one of the first farms in the region and was the first to plant grapes in Napa Valley in 1839. Soon after, other pioneers have contributed to introducing the first grapes Vitis vinifera in the region.

Today 95% of the vineyards are family businesses, resulting in a low yield of grapes, to profits of a product quality, what makes the famous wines of Napa Valley. But with only an eighth % of the valley is planted with Bordeaux varietals.

Napa Valley is known for its wines, innovative and focused on quality it ranks among the best in the world, including fat to a wide variety of soils, a unique microclimate and the work of winemakers who are refining their cultural practices grapes to produce the best wines possible.

Among the internationally renowned varietals wines produced in this valley have found them: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Cabernet Franc, Barbera-Red, Dolcetto, Gamay, Grenache, Malbec, Mendocino, Mourvèdre, Nebbiolo, Petit Verdot, Petite Syrah, Pinotage, Primitivo, Sangiovese, Tempranillo, Meritage wines and Blended wines

In white wines have found: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Charbono, Chenin Blanc, Fumé Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Marsanne, Moscato, Muscat, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Roussanne, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Viognier, Albariño, as well as traditional method wines.

Napa Valley is one of the few wine regions to have an experimental university for the cultivation of the vine. The UC Davis Field Station, located in Oakville, working exclusively to improve viticulture practices both locally and globally.

But in this valley you will find other culinary wonders for your tasting pleasure from farms nearby.