Mount Vedeer Napa Valley

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 grapes. Among the internationally acclaimed wines produced in this small region are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel and Cabernet Franc.

As the first Agricultural Preserve in America, it’s also a region of incomparable natural beauty and winegrowing heritage being preserved for future generations through environmental leadership and community stewardship. Though just 4% of California’s wine grape harvest, Napa Valley is small in size yet big in stature. It was the first American Viticultural Area or AVA to be designated in California in 1981.

In spite of its international renown, Napa Valley is one of the smallest winegrowing regions in the world, with only one-sixth the planted acreage of Bordeaux. Nearly all wineries (95%) are family owned businesses. The region’s established viticultural practices result in low yields of high-quality grapes, from which skilled winemakers craft Napa Valley’s wines.

Long before green and sustainable were buzzwords, Napa Valley became the home of the first Agricultural Preserve in the U.S. in 1968 and today has the most comprehensive and stringent land use and environmental regulations of any winegrowing region.

Napa Valley vineyards are intentionally farmed to produce low yields which resulting in vivid, concentrated flavours in the grapes. Throughout the growing season, the canopy is carefully managed, usually by hand, to ensure optimal fruit development.

Mount Veeder AVA is an American Viticultural Area located within Napa Valley AVA among the Mayacamas Mountains. The boundaries of this appellation include 25 sq mi (64.7 km2) with 1,000 acres (400 ha) planted on thin volcanic soil. Many vineyards are found on the steep mountain face some as steep as 30°. The steepness of the angle gives the vineyards benefits of more direct sunlight and better drainage.

The unique sense of place, or terroir of Mount Veeder AVA produces wines that are typically powerful in structure - depending on how they are made and how the vines are tended. For example, Cabernet Sauvignon grown on the mountain commonly shows "briary" flavours, moderate to bold tannins and herbal, floral aromatics. With the increasing interest in wine in America, wines grown in sub appellation AVA's such as Mount Veeder are gaining recognition for their unique sense of terroir.