
Napa Valley Wine California
Learn about Napa Valley wine, common tasting notes, where the region is and more ...
One of the world's most highly regarded regions for wine production as well as tourism, the Napa Valley was responsible for bringing worldwide recognition to California winemaking. In the 1960s, a few key wine families settled the area and hedged their bets on the valley's world-class winemaking potential—and they were right.
The Napa wine industry really took off in the 1980s, when producers scooped up vineyard lands and planted vines throughout the county. A number of wineries emerged, and today Napa is home to hundreds of producers ranging from boutique to corporate. Cabernet Sauvignon is definitely the grape of choice here, with many winemakers also focusing on Bordeaux blends. Napa whites are usually Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.
Within the Napa Valley lie many smaller sub-AVAs that claim specific characteristics based on situation, slope and soil. Farthest south and coolest from the influence of the San Pablo Bay is Carneros, followed by Coombsville to its northeast and then Yountville, Oakville and Rutherford. Above those are the warm St. Helena and the valley's newest and hottest AVA, Calistoga. These areas follow the valley floor and are known generally for creating rich, dense, complex and smooth reds with good aging potential. The mountain sub appellations, nestled on the slopes overlooking the valley AVAs, include Stags Leap District, Atlas Peak, Chiles Valley (farther east), Howell Mountain, Mt. Veeder, Spring Mountain District and Diamond Mountain District. Wines from the mountain regions are often more structured and firm, benefiting from a lot of time in the bottle to evolve and soften.
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Robert Mondavi Fume Blanc 2005Sauvignon Blanc from Napa Valley, California
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Newton Unfiltered Chardonnay 2005Chardonnay from Napa Valley, California
- RP
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St. Supery Sauvignon Blanc 2005Sauvignon Blanc from Napa Valley, California
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Groth Sauvignon Blanc 2005Sauvignon Blanc from Napa Valley, California
- WE
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Markham Chardonnay 2005Chardonnay from Napa Valley, California
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Beringer Napa Valley Chardonnay 2005Chardonnay from Napa Valley, California
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Pahlmeyer Napa Valley Chardonnay 2005Chardonnay from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- CG
- WS
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Stag's Leap Wine Cellars KARIA Chardonnay 2005Chardonnay from Napa Valley, California
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Beringer Sbragia Limited Release Chardonnay 2005Chardonnay from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
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Chappellet Chardonnay 2005Chardonnay from Napa Valley, California
- WS
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Beringer Private Reserve Chardonnay 2005Chardonnay from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
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Hall Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2005Sauvignon Blanc from Napa Valley, California
- WE
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Raymond Reserve Selection Chardonnay 2005Chardonnay from Napa Valley, California
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Flora Springs Family Select Chardonnay 2005Chardonnay from Napa Valley, California
- WS
- WE
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William Hill Napa Valley Chardonnay 2005Chardonnay from Napa Valley, California
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Trinchero Vista Montone Vineyard Chardonnay 2005Chardonnay from Napa Valley, California
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Chappellet Napa Valley Chenin Blanc 2005Chenin Blanc from Napa Valley, California
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St. Supery Moscato 2005Muscat from Napa Valley, California
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Cakebread Sauvignon Blanc 2005Sauvignon Blanc from Napa Valley, California
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Raymond Reserve Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2005Sauvignon Blanc from Napa Valley, California
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Hess Collection Napa Valley Chardonnay 2005Chardonnay from Napa Valley, California
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Oberon Sauvignon Blanc 2005Sauvignon Blanc from Napa Valley, California
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Silverado Miller Ranch Sauvignon Blanc (375ML half-bottle) 2005Sauvignon Blanc from Napa Valley, California
- W&S
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Sterling Sauvignon Blanc 2005Sauvignon Blanc from Napa Valley, California
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Luna Vineyards Pinot Grigio 2005Pinot Gris/Grigio from Napa Valley, California
- CG