Napa Valley AVA

Napa Valley
Wine region
Napa Valley vineyard
TypeAmerican Viticultural Area
Year established1981[1]
Years of wine industry186[2]
CountryUnited States
Part ofCalifornia, North Coast AVA, Napa County
Other regions in California, North Coast AVA, Napa CountySonoma 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[3][4]
Climate regionRegion III
Total area122,735 acres (49,669 ha)
Size of planted vineyards43,000 acres (17,401 ha)[5]
No. of vineyards400+
Varietals producedCabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Pinot noir, Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc, and more
No. of wineries612[5]
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. The area was established by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury on February 27, 1981 after reviewing the 1978 petition submitted by the Napa Valley Vintners and Napa Valley Grape Growers Association on behalf of valley vineyard owners and winemakers proposing to establish a viticultural area named "Napa Valley" as an appellation of origin in wine labeling and advertising would help consumers of wine to better identify Napa Valley wines.[2][6] Napa Valley is considered one of the premier wine regions in the world.[7]

Historical records of viticulture in the region date back to the nineteenth century,[8] but the modern premium wine production grew in the 1960s.[7] The combination of Mediterranean climate, geography and geology of the region are conducive to growing quality wine grapes. George C. Yount was the first vineyardist on record in Napa Valley planting his vines in 1838. John Patchett established the Napa Valley's first commercial vineyard in 1858.[9] In 1861 Charles Krug established another of Napa Valley's first commercial wineries in St. Helena.[9] By 1880, its first great period of prominence, the Napa Valley had 443 vineyards with a thousand or more vines each. Of these major holdings, 72 were in the Calistoga district, 126 were in Napa City and 245 in the St. Helena area. Viticulture in Napa suffered several setbacks in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including an outbreak of the vine disease phylloxera, national enactment of Prohibition, and the Great Depression. The modern wine industry in Napa Valley gradually recovered and gained immediate recognition by the surprising outcome at the Paris Wine Tasting of 1976 where Napa Valley vintages scored top honors against primer French wines establishing its place as an international viticulture producer bettering Old World wine regions. Napa Valley is now an major international enotourism destination.[2]

  1. ^ "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. ^ a b c "Petition to Establish Napa Valley American Viticultural Area". TTB.gov. Napa Valley Vintners; Napa Valley Grape Growers Association. August 1, 1978.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference nvv-avas was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "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.
  5. ^ a b "Napa Valley (AVA): Appellation Profile". Appellation America. 2007. Archived from the original on October 31, 2007. Retrieved October 29, 2007.
  6. ^ "Napa Valley Viticultural Area" (27 CFR Part 9 [Notice No. 337] Proposed Rule). Federal Register. 45 (53). Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Treasury: 17026–17027. March 17, 1980.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  7. ^ a b Robinson, Jancis (September 6, 2008). "California". JancisRobinson.com. Archived from the original (Wine Regions) on April 4, 2014. Retrieved January 2, 2011.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ a b Brennan, Nancy (November 21, 2010). "John Patchett: Introducing one of Napa's pioneers". Napa Valley Register. Retrieved January 2, 2011.