Napa Valley AVA

Napa Valley
Wine region
Napa Valley vineyard
TypeAmerican Viticultural Area
Year established1981[1]
Years of wine industry166[1]
CountryUnited States
Part ofCalifornia, Napa County, North Coast AVA
Other regions in California, Napa County, North Coast AVASonoma Valley AVA
Sub-regionsLos Carneros AVA, Howell Mountain AVA, Wild Horse Valley AVA, Stags Leap District AVA, Mt. Veeder AVA, Atlas Peak AVA, Spring Mountain District AVA, Oakville AVA, Rutherford AVA, St. Helena AVA, Chiles Valley AVA, Yountville AVA, Diamond Mountain District AVA, Coombsville AVA, Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley AVA, Calistoga AVA, Crystal Springs of Napa Valley AVA[2][3]
Climate regionMediterranean
Total area122,735 acres (49,669 ha)
Size of planted vineyards43,000 acres (17,401 ha)[4]
No. of vineyards400+
Varietals producedCabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Pinot noir, Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc, and more
No. of wineries612[4]
Comments38°23′12″N 122°21′00″W / 38.3867°N 122.3500°W / 38.3867; -122.3500

Napa Valley is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in Napa County, California. It was established by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) on February 27, 1981.[1] Napa Valley is considered one of the premier wine regions in the world.[5] Records of commercial wine production in the region date back to the nineteenth century,[6] but premium wine production dates back only to the 1960s.[5]

The combination of Mediterranean climate, geography and geology of the region are conducive to growing quality wine grapes. John Patchett established the Napa Valley's first commercial vineyard in 1858.[7] In 1861 Charles Krug established another of Napa Valley's first commercial wineries in St. Helena.[7] Viticulture in Napa suffered several setbacks in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including an outbreak of the vine disease phylloxera, the institution of Prohibition, and the Great Depression. The wine industry in Napa Valley recovered, and helped by the results of the Paris Wine Tasting of 1976, came to be seen as capable of producing the best quality wine – equal to that of Old World wine regions. Napa Valley is now a major enotourism destination.

  1. ^ a b c "Napa Valley Viticultural Area" (27 CFR Part 9 [TD ATF-79; Re: Notice No. 3371] Final Rule). Federal Register. 46 (18). Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Treasury Department: 9061–9063. January 28, 1981.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference nvv-avas was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ "TTB Establishes Crystal Springs of Napa Valley American Viticultural Area". TTB.gov. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Treasury. October 18, 2024. Retrieved November 8, 2024.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  4. ^ a b "Napa Valley (AVA): Appellation Profile". Appellation America. 2007. Archived from the original on October 31, 2007. Retrieved October 29, 2007.
  5. ^ a b Robinson, Jancis (September 6, 2008). "California". JancisRobinson.com. Archived from the original (Tasting Notes & Wine Reviews) on April 4, 2014. Retrieved January 2, 2011.
  6. ^ A Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co. 1891. Archived from the original on March 27, 2009. Retrieved January 2, 2011.
  7. ^ a b Brennan, Nancy (November 21, 2010). "John Patchett: Introducing one of Napa's pioneers". Napa Valley Register. Retrieved January 2, 2011.