The Napa Valley 毫无疑问，它是世界上最知名的葡萄酒产区之一吗. 该地区于1981年获得了美国葡萄种植区(AVA)的称号, making it California’s first AVA, and the country’s second overall.

In the decades since, the growers and winemakers in the region have worked to gain a greater understanding of the climate and soil types within the AVA and, in doing so, 了解到该地区其实是许多不同的家园吗, distinct meso- and microclimates, 每一种都适合特定的葡萄品种和酿酒风格. This has resulted in the designation of 16 separate sub-appellations within the Napa Valley that recognize and celebrate the viticultural diversity of the region. Here is a rundown of all 16.

Atlas Peak AVA

Established in the early 1990s, this cool, high elevation AVA on the western slopes of the Vaca Mountain Range is the most prominent peak in Napa. 它的高海拔使它比谷底低10-15度, which results in bright, 与ag体育正规其他产区相比，酸度更高. 阿特拉斯峰的种植者为纳帕和索诺玛的几十家酿酒厂提供优质的水果, and local winemakers produce some of the world’s finest wines made from cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, petit verdot, and merlot, 还有其他经典品种，比如桑娇维塞, syrah, and chardonnay.

Wineries to try: Dos Lagos Vineyards, Antica Napa Valley, VinRoc

Calistoga AVA

这个AVA不仅拥有该地区最温暖的气候之一, 它也是整个ag体育正规地质最均匀的地方. 夏季气温可高达100华氏度, they can also drop into the 40s at night due to cool breezes from the Pacific drawn in through the Chalk Hill mountain gap. 这种昼夜轮班是葡萄种植者的梦想, 因为它导致完全成熟的葡萄与新鲜的酸度平衡. Principal varieties here include cabernet sauvignon, zinfandel, syrah, and petite sirah.

Wineries to try: Fairwinds Estate Winery, Chateau Montelena, Sterling Vineyards, Kenefick Ranch Vineyards

Chiles Valley District AVA

成立于1999年，位于ag体育正规的东部山区, 智利山谷是最小的AVAs之一. At about 1,000 ft. elevation, 给山谷带来凉爽的雾气浓重的微风无法到达这个地区, so it can get quite warm. However, 在这个海拔高度，智利山谷的夜晚很凉爽, 创造一个对葡萄非常有益的昼夜轮班, 包括波尔多的经典品种吗. Interestingly, 因为智利河谷相对孤立, 许多最早的葡萄园都没有根瘤蚜. 因此，AVA也是一些非常古老的仙粉黛葡萄的故乡.

Wineries to try: Volker Eisele, Nichelini Family Winery, Brown Estate Vineyards

Coombsville AVA

ag体育正规最新的酒庄库姆斯维尔(Coombsville)于2011年获得了酒庄称号. This area, 位于ag体育正规的东南角, 离纳帕市中心只有十分钟路程吗. 由于AVA靠近圣巴勃罗湾，天气明显变冷, 出产优雅的赤霞珠, syrah, pinot noir and chardonnay.

Wineries to try: Ackerman Family Vineyards, Shadybrook Estate, Covert Estate

Diamond Mountain AVA

虽然你可能在这里找不到那些闪闪发光的宝石, you will find wines made primarily from cabernet sauvignon that are just as stunning. 位于ag体育正规温暖的西北部, this region, 在2001年获得了AVA的地位, 实际上是以土壤中发现的火山玻璃碎片命名的吗. 1868年由施拉姆斯贝格葡萄园的雅各布·施拉姆首次种植, the region has come to be associated with wines that are structured and plush with unmistakable mountain fruit intensity and great aging potential.

Winery to try: Reverie Winery

Howell Mountain AVA

位于Vaca山脉的东北部，就在St. Helena, this is Napa Valley’s first established sub-AVA, and one of the most prestigious. Many celebrate the concentration and signature “wildness” of Howell Mountain wines – predominantly cabernet sauvignon, as well as merlot, zinfandel, and petite sirah. 这种独特的特征是该地区温暖的结果, dry climate and rocky, porous soils, 多亏了它位于谷底之上.

Wineries to try: ADAMVS, Clif Family Winery, W.H. Smith Wines, Howell Mountain Vineyards

Los Carneros AVA

The Los Carneros AVA, established in 1983, 实际上横跨ag体育正规和索诺玛谷, making it the first California wine region to be defined by its unique climate as opposed to political boundaries. This is a cool climate appellation heavily influenced by prevailing winds from the San Pablo Bay, 白天气温很少超过80度. Stunning examples of chardonnay, pinot noir, and sparkling wines, as well as some merlot are produced in Carneros thanks to this distinctly cool climate.

Wineries to try: Domaine Carneros, Etude, Cuvaison, Artesa

Mount Veeder AVA

Formed from an ancient seabed, the Mount Veeder appellation boasts one of the longest growing seasons and the lowest yields in the Napa Valley. 它也是唯一一个毗邻凉爽的海湾卡内罗斯的山坡产区. These factors, combined with the steep, 恶劣的条件严重限制了机械化, 让该地区发展出了高度集中的名声, hand-crafted, 还有用赤霞珠酿制的值得陈年的葡萄酒, merlot, zinfandel, and chardonnay.

Wineries to try: Fontanella, Mount Veeder Winery, O’Shaughnessy Estate Winery

Oak Knoll District AVA

This district achieved its AVA status in 2004 as a result of local winemakers’ concerted efforts to have the region’s cool climate and relatively long growing season recognized. The region boasts Napa Valley’s largest alluvial fan – triangular-shaped deposits that form from water as it descends from the mountains – which is one of Oak Knoll’s defining characteristics. 新兴的颗粒状土壤迫使藤蔓深入挖掘以寻找水分, resulting in small, 高度浓缩的葡萄，优雅, intensely perfumed wines made from the most diverse lineup of grape varieties in the Napa Valley.

Wineries to try: Trefethen, Robert Biale, Materra | Cunat

Oakville AVA

以19世纪覆盖该地区的本地橡树林命名, 奥克维尔曾经只是ag体育正规的一个蒸汽火车停靠站. Today, wines from Oakville are among some of the most recognized and sought in the world. Marquis names like Opus One, Screaming Eagle, and Harlan have helped create the concept of “Cult Cabernet” so synonymous with the Oakville appellation, while other smaller, family-run producers in the area continue to maintain its stellar reputation for world-class wines and hospitality.

Wineries to try: Opus One, Cardinale

Rutherford AVA

Located just North of Oakville as the geographic and historic center of the Napa Valley, 温暖的气候因湾区的雾降温而有所缓和, Rutherford is a classic Valley floor appellation with vineyards reaching from the base of the Mayacamas to the Silverado Trail. Some of the region’s wineries date back to the late 1800s, when wheat was Napa Valley’s main crop. Thomas Rutherford, for whom the AVA was named, settled and began planting grapes instead. Today, visitors will find rich, 由赤霞珠酿制的成熟葡萄酒, merlot, cabernet franc, and zinfandel, with some sauvignon blanc as well.

Wineries to try: Peju, Beaulieu Vineyard, Round Pond Estate

Spring Mountain District AVA

Located above St. Helena on the Eastern side of the Mayacamas and connecting with the border of Sonoma County to the North, 该地区因其众多的天然泉水而得名. Spring Mountain District is rich with history – it is said that the region’s first vineyard, planted in 1874, 因为太偏远，所以没有受到禁酒令的影响. Today, 具有挑战性的山地风土造就了复杂的气候, “intellectual” wines made from Bordeaux varieties as well as other unique grapes like riesling, sémillon, gewürztraminer, 甚至还有传统的葡萄牙葡萄.

Wineries to try: Fantesca Estate, Robert Keenan Winery, Smith-Madrone

St. Helena AVA

这里被认为是ag体育正规商业葡萄酒产业的发源地, Napa’s oldest wine estate, Charles Krug, was established here in 1861. St. Helena is home to 6,800英亩种植的葡萄和400多个葡萄园, 比ag体育正规任何一个AVA都要多. 气候比其他地区温暖, 该地区出产成熟而结构合理的赤霞珠, merlot, syrah, zinfandel, and sauvignon blanc. The region also organizes an annual wine tasting and food pairing competition called BASH.

Wineries to try: Ehlers Estate, Titus Vineyards, Raymond Vineyards, Charles Krug

Stags Leap AVA

The potential of this region was cemented when Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars’ 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon won the infamous Judgment of Paris tasting over more famous wines from Bordeaux. 被认为是“山谷中的山谷”,” the appellation is only one mile wide and three miles long and planted with mostly Bordeaux varieties. 这是一个温暖的地区，晚上有凉爽的海湾风, with diverse soils that allowed the region to be the first AVA to be approved based on the distinctiveness of its soils.

Wineries to try: Cliff Lede Vineyards, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Pine Ridge Vineyards, Clos du Val

Wild Horse Valley AVA

而最早成立的航空协会之一, 野马谷仍然是ag体育正规最不为人知的产区之一. In fact, 不像其他ag体育正规的AVAs, this region serves as more of an area for growers who supply winemakers with fruit of unique terroir, usually from pinot noir, chardonnay, and syrah, 多亏了凉爽的气候和浅水, volcanic soils.

Winery to try: Heron Lake Winery

AG体育平台 AVA

别和AG体育平台市中心搞混了, home to the famous French Laundry, AG体育平台AVA在纳帕有着悠久的历史. Geourge Yount, for whom the town is named, planted the first vineyards in the region in 1836 in the area that would ultimately become Dominus Estate. Established in 1999, the AVA stretches from the Mayacamas in the West to the Vaca Mountains in the East, and exhibits a diverse range of microclimates and soil types that allow for many different grape varieties to be grown – a distinctive characteristic of the region.

Wineries to try: Goosecross Cellars, Paraduxx, JCB Tasting Salon, Stewart Cellars