Napa Valley and Sonoma County Wine Region Basics
Napa Valley has come a long way from the mid-1800s, when the primary crop that grew here was wheat. Today Napa Valley is inarguably California’s premier wine region. This roughly forty-mile-long valley, northeast of San Francisco, has been graced with what is effectively a perfect climate and soil for growing the king of red grapes, Cabernet Sauvignon. Top Napa bottlings are the benchmark for this varietal in the US (they cost a pretty penny, too). But Napa isn’t just Cabernet—other Bordeaux red varieties like Merlot and Cabernet Franc grow particularly well here, too, as does Sauvignon Blanc.
Sonoma County’s roughly 60,000 acres of vines, adjacent to those of Napa Valley but separated from them by the Mayacamas mountains, are divided into a number of significant AVAs (American Viticultural Areas). Some, like Russian River Valley and the Sonoma Coast, benefit from a cool marine influence that brings early morning fogs and cold nighttime temperatures, making them ideal Pinot Noir and Chardonnay growing areas; others, like Dry Creek Valley and Alexander Valley, are warmer, and produce superb Cabernets, Syrahs and Zinfandels.
Five top bottles
- 2005 Cuvaison Carneros Chardonnay
- 2006 Kunde Estate Magnolia Lane Sonoma Valley Sauvignon Blanc
- 2003 Beaulieu Vineyard Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon
- 2003 Chateau Souverain Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
- 2003 St. Francis Pagani Vineyard Reserve Sonoma Valley Zinfandel
More F&W coverage
- Napa and Sonoma’s Best Winery Tours
F&W’s guide to Napa wineries. - Coppola: The Great Wine Auteur
Senior wine editor Lettie Teague catches up with Napa’s most famous vintner. - Where to Go Next: Napa & Sonoma
Top Napa and Sonoma hot spots. - The Millionaire’s Guide to Buying the Napa Dream
Ever fantasize about owning a piece of Napa Valley? There’s more to it than just writing a (very big) check for a winery. - 10 Best Online Wine Shops
These e-merchants stand above the rest for ease of use and selection. - Niche Wine Blogs
Here, five wine blogs that have carved out smart and focused niches in the wine Web.
Other great Web resources
- Napa Valley Conference and Visitors Board
A comprehensive guide to Napa. - Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau
Hotels, wineries and more in Sonoma. - Realtravel.com Napa Travel Guide
More hotels, restaurants and attractions. - Ilovenapa.com
A user-driven Napa visitor’s guide.
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