Napa Valley, California, USA

In celebration of California Wine Month, the MDV Explorer is taking you on a tour of the first-ever agricultural preserve, the renowned wine region - Napa Valley! Let's GO!

How big is the wine region?

Napa Valley is located in the northern part of California, about 48 kilometers long and 8 kilometers wide. It's not a big wine region, only 15% of Bordeaux, but with over 400 wineries, it's one of the most prestigious wine regions in the United States.

How many regions are there?

The region consists of 5 towns - Calistoga, St. Helena, Yountville, Napa, American Canyon - and is divided into 16 American Wine Areas (AVAs), each with its own unique microclimate and soil type.

Diverse Soil Characteristics

Napa Valley's warm days and cool nights, rolling valleys and Mediterranean climate are characterized by a variety of soils, including mineral-rich volcanic soils, alluvial soils and sedimentary soils, which contribute to the quality of the grapes.

Grape Varieties

The main grape variety is Cabernet Sauvignon, which accounts for 40% of the total production, followed by Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel.

Wine Production

Napa Valley accounts for only 4% of California's total wine production, but produces some of the state's most prestigious and expensive wines. The economic impact on the local and state economies is estimated at $50 billion annually.

Napa Valley Wineries

The Napa Valley is the home of California's Cult Wine! Many of the top wineries - Screaming Eagle, Opus One, Dominus Estate, Harlan Estate - hail from this region!