The Wild Horse Valley AVA is an American Viticultural Area whose borders overlap both Napa County and Solano County, California and is partially contained within the Napa Valley AVA. The appellation's southerly location results in more hours of sunshine than other locations in Napa Valley or nearby Green Valley. The proximity to San Pablo Bay results in a cooler climate, making Wild Horse Valley attractive for the cultivation of grapes like Pinot noir.[3]
| Wine region | |
| Type | American Viticultural Area |
|---|---|
| Year established | 1988[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Part of | North Coast AVA |
| Other regions in North Coast AVA | List of North Coast AVAs |
| Soil conditions | volcanic[2] |
| Total area | 3,300 acres (13 km2)[3] |
| Size of planted vineyards | 70 acres (0 km2)[3][4] |
| Varietals produced | Chardonnay, Pinot noir[5] |
| No. of wineries | 1[2] |
Geography and climate
editThe Wild Horse Valley AVA features two distinct subregions. To the west, the area is cooled by San Pablo Bay, although the elevation keeps the area above the fogline. The eastern half, being protected by the slope of the ground, is much warmer. The soil type is generally volcanic throughout the entire AVA.[2]
History
editGrapes were first planted in the area in the 1880s.[4] The current vineyard plantings date back to 1980, with commercial production starting in 1985.[5]
Wild Horse Vineyard
editThe largest vineyard in the Wild Horse Valley AVA was the Wild Horse Vineyard of Napa Valley.[6]
The recent wildfires destroyed the Wild Horse Valley vineyards.
References
edit- ^ "§ 9.124 Wild Horse Valley" (Title 27: Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; Part 9 — American Viticultural Areas; Subpart C — Approved American Viticultural Areas). Code of Federal Regulations. Retrieved October 31, 2007.
- ^ a b c "Wild Horse Valley". Calwineries. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
- ^ a b c "Wild Horse Valley (AVA): Appellation Profile". Appellation America. 2007. Archived from the original on October 8, 2008. Retrieved October 31, 2007.
- ^ a b "History". Olivia Brion. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
- ^ a b "Heron Lake Winery". Calwineries. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
- ^ Goldfarb, Alan (5 October 2007). "The Siberia of the Napa Valley: Has Wild Horse Valley's Time Come?". Appellation America. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
 | This wine region article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |