Tour Vin – Cabernet Sauvignon and AVAs

Published on: March 17th, 2014

Many of our clients enjoy Cabernet Sauvignon and want to know which regions in Napa Valley produce the best juice. Tour Vin has explored the entire region and now we want to share our knowledge about which terroirs you should explore.

A terroir is defined as the complete natural environment where a wine is produced and relates to soil type, topography and climate of a specific region. There are five main American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) known for producing excellent Cabernet Sauvignon:
• Stags Leap District – Soil types include clay, loam and rock. The weather is warm and dry during the day and cool at night in this area. Notable wine producers include Shafer Vineyards and Odette Estate.
• Rutherford District – Gravel and sand, characteristic of well-drained volcanic soil, are predominant in this area. Remarkable wine producers include Beaulieu Vineyard and Quintessa.
• Oakville – Located on the valley floor, here you’ll find mostly gravel-type soil, but certain areas have both clay and sandy soil. The climate showcases morning fog and warm afternoons. Mondavi and Opus One are notable producers in this region.
• Carneros – Located at the southern part of the valley, the soil of this region is rocky, shallow and includes some clay. The region has marine fog in the morning and cool afternoon breezes. Pine Ridge and Etude are predominant producers.
• Howell Mountain – Two thousand feet above sea level in the northeast portion of Napa Valley, this region has a cooler climate than the valley floor. The weather is warm in the summer and experiences cooler winters. There is a later bud break, which promotes a later harvest. Grapes usually have thicker skins and, therefore, more tannin. Ladera and Outpost are significant producers here.

The only way to experience the affect of terroir on Cabernet Sauvignon is to taste wines from the various AVAs on your next trip to Napa valley. Tour Vin can guide you to specific wineries to enhance your adventure – call us to help plan your next trip to the spectacular Napa Valley!

Ed Pollard
TourVin
Napa Valley Concierge