One of the most extraordinary places in the world, Napa Valley is synonymous with producing some of the world’s finest wines. This small area is the epicentre of California wine making and is making some of the best wine in the world, but why is that exactly?
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#1 – Napa Valley wines have proven their exceptional place in the world of wine, beginning in 1976
Napa Valley was made famous at the infamous ‘Judgement of Paris’ in 1976. It was a tasting that forever changed wine and brought Napa Valley wine to the world. The tasting was the brainchild of British wine merchant Steven Spurrier, who sadly passed away just this past March 2021 at the age of 79 and who had made great contributions to the wine industry.
At the Judgement of Paris there were nine judges, all of them were French. It was a competition between the iconic wines from France and wines from California. It was this tasting that changed history for wines of the new world. Up against the best of France, two Napa Valley wines won the competition, truly putting Napa Valley on the global wine map for making ultra-premium delicious wines – now considered some of the best in the world! Some say this competition was similar to that of David versus Goliath and ever since then Napa Valley wines have proven their exceptional place in the world of wine, time and time again.
The Judgment of Paris has been replicated many times after 1976, some of these by Spurrier himself, and with remarkably similar results. Napa Valley still continues to reign as one of the world’s leading wine regions even decades after this original competition.
#2 – Napa Valley’s history boasts more than 150 years of tradition!
With grapes first planted in 1838-39 and the first commercial winery founded in 1861. Vineyards in Napa can be found from sea level all the way to about 2,400 feet. There are vineyards and wineries on top of mountains with rare volcanic soil underneath. Fresh ocean air runs through the vines keeping the grapes cool and giving sophistication and elegance to the wines.
#3 – The area is very small area and has extreme unique, diverse & volcanic soils
Napa Valley is a very small wine region that is segregated into 16 even smaller approved American Viticultural Areas
Each AVA has different soils and microclimates, it is here that you can find half of the world’s 12 recognized soils!
#4 – The region is stunningly beautiful with a very rare climate
The valley floor is 30 miles long and just 5 miles across at its widest point and its rare and unique climate makes it the perfect area for premium wine grapes to grow, in fact it’s mediterranean climate is so rare this type of climate only covers 2% of the Earth’s surface making it exceptionally unique.
#5 – They are Sustainable and think about the future in every aspect
More than 65% of Napa County vineyard land is enrolled or certified in the Napa Green Land program, which is one of only four sustainable winegrowing programs nationwide focusing on soil-to-bottle certification in both the vineyard and winery. Napa Green provides a pathway for growers to improve soil health, become carbon neutral to negative within six to nine years, and increase the resilience of vineyards, businesses, and the Napa Valley community
#6 – Napa Valley Gives Back
Overall, Napa Valley Vintners have invested more than $200 million in local health and children’s education nonprofits and is a region who truly puts every angle of sustainability first
#7 – It is a bucket list place to visit
If you’re looking to add Napa to your bucket list of places to travel (and really who isn’t?) make sure to take your time to relax and soak it all in. It’s a heavenly place you’ll never want to leave with hundreds of wineries and restaurants to visit and fun excursions like hot air balloon rides and spas to indulge in.
#8 – There is very limited production so get them while you can!,
Stunningly beautiful, Napa produces a mere 4% of all the wine coming from California and with such small productions at winery level, wines sell out and are coveted all over the world!
*Find these these very limited offerings available starting September 30 before they’re sold out on vintagesshoponline.com
RECOMMENDED WINES
*These wines will sell out quickly
St. Supery Napa Dollarhide Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2019
Spring Mountain Vineyard Napa Cabernet Sauvignon blanc 2016
St. Supery Napa Valley Elu 2015
Nickel & Nickel State Ranch Cab. Sauv. Yountville 2018
INGLENOOK Rubicon Rutherford Napa Valley 2017
SINEGAL Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2018
INGLENOOK Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford Napa 2017
M by Michael Mondavi, Napa Valley 2016
Trefethen, Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley Merlot 2018
Trefethen ‘Dragons Tooth’ Napa Valley Oak Knoll District 2018
Gallica Albarino Calaveras Napa Valley 2018
Black Stallion Estate Barrel Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
J. Lohr Hilltop Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Roble 2018
Storybook ‘Estate Reserve’ Zinfandel, Napa Valley 2017
2018 Napa Valley Zinfandel 2018
Silverado Vineyards Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
ROBERT YOUNG ESTATE A.V. Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Emmolo Merlot 2019
