Napa Valley is undeniably one of the most beautiful destinations in the world. Located approximately one hour north of San Francisco, Napa Valley is the heart of the California wine country. More than 200 wineries call the valley home, producing the industry’s best wine in the world. Napa Valley’s landscape of picturesque rolling hills planted with vineyards is breathtaking. It's no wonder that Napa Valley has become a magnet for tourists.
Make the most of your visit to Wine Country. Be sure to take time to visit all the towns of Napa Valley - Yountville, St. Helena, Oakville, Rutherford, Napa, and Calistoga.
The Napa Valley's amiable climate makes it a veritable garden. A wide variety of fruits and vegetables thrive here: oranges, prunes, apples, olives and more. But what makes the Napa Valley truly unique is its remarkable suitability for the production of wine grapes. A maritime climate that produces cool nights and warm days combines with soils that are deep but not excessively fertile to yield grapes that are singular in their intensity, complexity and balance.
Napa Valley Mustard Festival
The Napa Valley Mustard Festival takes place every year during Mustard Season - a beautiful time of year when the gold wild mustard is in full bloom on Napa's fields, vineyards and hillsides. The scenery can be absolutely awe-inspiring.
The Mustard Festival takes place over a two-month period, drawing hundreds of talented chefs, winemakers, gourmet mustard companies, artists, musicians and sponsors together to showcase their best products.
Napa Valley Wines and Winemaking
Grape Harvest
Fall is the most rewarding time for vineyard owners because this is the time of year when the fruits of their labor are harvested. In California's wine country, grapes are usually harvested any time from late August to early November. This depends on the weather and the grape variety being harvested.
The time of harvest is determined primarily by the ripeness of the grape as measured by sugar levels, tannin development and acidity. In addition to determining the time of the harvest, winemakers and vineyard owners must also determine whether to utilize hand pickers or mechanical harvesters.
A mechanical vine harvester works by beating the vine with rubber sticks to get the vine to drop its fruit onto a conveyor belt that brings the fruit to a holding bin. As technology improves mechanical harvesters have become more sophisticated in distinguishing grape clusters from mud, leaves and other particles.
Despite the costs, some wineries prefer the use of human workers to hand-pick grapes. For hand-picking the grapes you will need a pair of clippers and grape crates spread throughout the rows below the vines. Quite simply, you clip the bunches off each long vine and place them in the crates. Take care not to damage the larger vines. Then, you transport the grapes to larger ton containers. The main advantage of this method is the knowledge and discernment of the worker to pick only healthy bunches and the gentler handling of the grapes.
Wines
Though just 30 miles long and a few miles wide, Napa Valley is home to diverse microclimates and soils uniquely suited to the cultivation of a variety of fine wine varietals. While Cabernet and Chardonnay are the most widely planted wine grapes, the Napa Valley holds many surprises for wine lovers looking for varieties off the beaten path including - Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Sangiovese, Zinfandel and Cabernet Franc.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is the acknowledged "king" of red grapes in Napa Valley. Some Napa Valley Cabernet vines from the 19th century are still producing, but most have been replanted over the years. Cabernet Sauvignon is a complex grape; its character can emerge as black currants, green olives, herbs or bell peppers. These wines age beautifully. The mouth feel of a cabernet will generally be robust and rich with an astringent finish and fairly high tannin level.
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is among the most widely planted grape variety in Napa Valley. Chardonnay is a green-skinned grape variety used to make white wine. It is believed to have originated in the Burgundy wine region of eastern France. Napa Valley makes several types of Chardonnay, ranging from fresh, crisp wines to rich, complex wines with layers of flavors. Due to the wide range of styles, Chardonnay has the potential to be paired with a diverse spectrum of food types. It is most commonly paired with roast chicken and other white meats such as turkey.
Wine Tours
Discover some of Napa Valley's finest wineries through exclusive wine tastings. The wineries are open for wine tastings to the public and offers tours by appointment; a few of them offer daily regular tours. Napa Valley wineries offer wine clubs which includes discounts on their wines, exclusive food and wine tastings and events, winery or vineyard tours, library or limited production wines, etc. Most of the vintage wineries have unique and interesting architecture and includes gardens and picnic area. When in Napa visit atleast two famous wineries and sample vintage wines in their tasting rooms.
A Napa wine tour is fun any time of the year, though summers can be hot. Spring and fall are the perfect time to plan a wine tasting visit. To participate in the wine tasting you must be atleast 21 years old.
Some of the popular Napa Valley Wineries are:
Make the most of your visit to Wine Country. Be sure to take time to visit all the towns of Napa Valley - Yountville, St. Helena, Oakville, Rutherford, Napa, and Calistoga.
The Napa Valley's amiable climate makes it a veritable garden. A wide variety of fruits and vegetables thrive here: oranges, prunes, apples, olives and more. But what makes the Napa Valley truly unique is its remarkable suitability for the production of wine grapes. A maritime climate that produces cool nights and warm days combines with soils that are deep but not excessively fertile to yield grapes that are singular in their intensity, complexity and balance.Napa Valley Mustard Festival
The Napa Valley Mustard Festival takes place every year during Mustard Season - a beautiful time of year when the gold wild mustard is in full bloom on Napa's fields, vineyards and hillsides. The scenery can be absolutely awe-inspiring.
The Mustard Festival takes place over a two-month period, drawing hundreds of talented chefs, winemakers, gourmet mustard companies, artists, musicians and sponsors together to showcase their best products.Napa Valley Wines and Winemaking
Grape Harvest
Fall is the most rewarding time for vineyard owners because this is the time of year when the fruits of their labor are harvested. In California's wine country, grapes are usually harvested any time from late August to early November. This depends on the weather and the grape variety being harvested.
The time of harvest is determined primarily by the ripeness of the grape as measured by sugar levels, tannin development and acidity. In addition to determining the time of the harvest, winemakers and vineyard owners must also determine whether to utilize hand pickers or mechanical harvesters. A mechanical vine harvester works by beating the vine with rubber sticks to get the vine to drop its fruit onto a conveyor belt that brings the fruit to a holding bin. As technology improves mechanical harvesters have become more sophisticated in distinguishing grape clusters from mud, leaves and other particles.
Despite the costs, some wineries prefer the use of human workers to hand-pick grapes. For hand-picking the grapes you will need a pair of clippers and grape crates spread throughout the rows below the vines. Quite simply, you clip the bunches off each long vine and place them in the crates. Take care not to damage the larger vines. Then, you transport the grapes to larger ton containers. The main advantage of this method is the knowledge and discernment of the worker to pick only healthy bunches and the gentler handling of the grapes.
WinesThough just 30 miles long and a few miles wide, Napa Valley is home to diverse microclimates and soils uniquely suited to the cultivation of a variety of fine wine varietals. While Cabernet and Chardonnay are the most widely planted wine grapes, the Napa Valley holds many surprises for wine lovers looking for varieties off the beaten path including - Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Sangiovese, Zinfandel and Cabernet Franc.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is the acknowledged "king" of red grapes in Napa Valley. Some Napa Valley Cabernet vines from the 19th century are still producing, but most have been replanted over the years. Cabernet Sauvignon is a complex grape; its character can emerge as black currants, green olives, herbs or bell peppers. These wines age beautifully. The mouth feel of a cabernet will generally be robust and rich with an astringent finish and fairly high tannin level.
ChardonnayChardonnay is among the most widely planted grape variety in Napa Valley. Chardonnay is a green-skinned grape variety used to make white wine. It is believed to have originated in the Burgundy wine region of eastern France. Napa Valley makes several types of Chardonnay, ranging from fresh, crisp wines to rich, complex wines with layers of flavors. Due to the wide range of styles, Chardonnay has the potential to be paired with a diverse spectrum of food types. It is most commonly paired with roast chicken and other white meats such as turkey.
Wine Tours
Discover some of Napa Valley's finest wineries through exclusive wine tastings. The wineries are open for wine tastings to the public and offers tours by appointment; a few of them offer daily regular tours. Napa Valley wineries offer wine clubs which includes discounts on their wines, exclusive food and wine tastings and events, winery or vineyard tours, library or limited production wines, etc. Most of the vintage wineries have unique and interesting architecture and includes gardens and picnic area. When in Napa visit atleast two famous wineries and sample vintage wines in their tasting rooms.
A Napa wine tour is fun any time of the year, though summers can be hot. Spring and fall are the perfect time to plan a wine tasting visit. To participate in the wine tasting you must be atleast 21 years old.
Some of the popular Napa Valley Wineries are:- Rombauer Vineyards is one of Napa Valley's most popular wineries, sitting on a hill above Silverado Trail. The winery has an unparalleled reputation for Chardonnay, and also produces excellent Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Merlot. The hillside winery features metal art, picnic areas, walking trails, and great views of the valley.
- Rutherford Hill Winery is a pioneer in the development of California Merlot. Today, Merlot remains the flagship wine of the company with 75 percent of Rutherford Hill's production dedicated to this varietal, one of the leading Merlots of Napa Valley.
- V Sattui Winery is the fourth-generation, family owned a premier winery commemorating a tradition of winemaking that began 125years ago. V. Sattui specializes in single-vineyard Cabernets & Zinfandels, but is also known for its excellent Rieslings, a Gamay rose and a solera-made Madeira. V. Sattui wines are sold only at the Winery. In addition to its wines, V.Sattui offers a Deli & Cheese Market and makes it an ideal place for picnic.
- The Robert Mondavi Winery is a shining symbol of Napa Valley since 1966. The winery has a beautiful architecture by Cliff May and reflects the missions of early California history. The wine varietals offered by this winery are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Fume Blanc and Moscato d'Oro.
- Beaulieu Vineyards, founded by Georges de Latour in 1900 is the longest continually operating winery in Napa Valley. Beaulieu Vineyard is opened daily for tours and tasting programs showcasing the bold terroir expression of their wines. The winery offers excellent Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Syrah, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Bordeaux Blend.
- Beringer Wines - No winery more thoroughly embodies the timeless appeal and seductive flavor of Napa Valley than Beringer Vineyards, Napa's benchmark producer since its establishment in 1876. Whether you want to buy a case of White Zinfandel or Private Reserve Cabernet, you can taste them first at one of the two tasting rooms. Find out which one has your favorite wine. The vineyard offers highly acclaimed Beringer Napa Valley Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Viognier, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Nightingale and Sauvignon Blanc.
- SterlingVineyards - Perched 300 feet above the town of Calistoga, Sterling Vineyards offers panoramic views of Napa Valley. An aerial tram carries visitors up the hill to the winery, whose architecture was modeled after that of the Greek island of Mykonos, where Sterling founder Peter Newton once lived. Sterling offers the best Reserve Wines, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio, Shiraz and Zinfandel.
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