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Napa Valley
An Evening with Linda Neal, Napa Valley Vintners
Napa Valley is a wine region famous throughout the world. Although most people have heard of Napa Valley, not everyone knows why it is one of the premier wine growing regions in the world. It did not happen by accident.
Recently, there was an event sponsored by Napa Valley Vintners held on the patio of La Maison Gourmet in Mission Viejo. The host, Linda Neal, a grape grower, vineyard manager and vineyard owner, spent the better part of two hours explaining the nuances that make Napa Valley what it is today.
Napa Valley is an officially recognized American Viticultural Area (AVA), a designated wine-growing region. While that is a big deal, Napa Valley is not a big place. The valley floor sits between the Mayacamas and Vaca mountain ranges and is roughly only 5 miles wide and 30 miles in length. Although Napa Valley is one of the most highly regarded wine regions in the world, it is also one of the smallest. The Napa Valley AVA is about one-eighth the size of the Bordeaux region of France.
Yet within that small area there are over 100 soil variations, each one capable of giving the grape a different character. Adding to the diversity are rolling hills in the north and mountain ranges on the east and west. The fertile soils of the valley floor differ from the rocky soils of these slopes, where the wines may have to fight for moisture. These differences help to define the wines that are crafted in Napa Valley. As does the climate and altitude, ranging from sea level to the 4,000-foot peak of Mount St. Helena.
If the wine gods were to create a perfect growing region for a grape, Napa Valley would be the result. The Mediterranean climate zone location has warm summer days, perfect for building up sugar content. The cool evenings are ideal for developing the acidity desired. With a long growing season, grapes here ripen slowly and evenly for a perfect balance of the two.
Within the valley are several distinct soils and microclimates that can have a huge impact on a different variety of grapes. Rainfall in the southern section averages only 18 inches per year, while the mountains on the north end can get up to 60 inches. Fortunately, this rain falls mostly in the winter months, not during the growing season. This helps reduce the risk of vineyard diseases, which can decimate a crop.
All of these factors, when taken together, are commonly referred to by the French word terroir. Loosely translated as ‘a sense of place', it is why the same grape grown in different parts of the world can taste entirely different. Right here in Napa, a Merlot from Howell Mountain AVA to the north will have powerful blackberry-current flavors with excellent acidity. To the south, in Los Carneros, the same grape will be slightly herbal, often used for blending.
So the decision for many Napa winemakers is whether to blend or not? Blending from different vineyards and regions within the appellation allows for the creation of wines with greater complexity. Single vineyard wines often have a very distinct style, a distinct sense of place, if you will.
Napa Valley is also home to some of the most advanced winemaking techniques in the world. For example they were the first to use satellite technology from NASA to assist with planting and irrigation decisions.
The close association with UC Davis, one of the most respected wine schools in the world, allows Napa to be at the forefront of research in the wine industry, from clones to cover crops to harvest techniques and fermentation. It is all right in their back yard, allowing a perfect blending of the art and science of fine winemaking.
Napa Valley has come a long way from the very first planting of grapes by George Calvert Yount, the namesake of Yountville, in 1838-39. Continuing that tradition is Linda Neal, owner of Tierra Roja Vineyard, located on the eastern slopes of the Oakville Appellation in Napa Valley. Along with winemaker David DeSante, they have crafted a Cabernet Sauvignon for you to enjoy on those special occasions.
There were 250 cases made of their Tierra Roja 2006 Cabernet – that is only 3,000 bottles of wine, a rare treasure. Tierra Roja Vineyard is shinning example of what makes this place so special – 95% of Napa Valley wineries are family owned, and nearly 60% of the wineries there produce less than 6,000 cases of wine.
Tierra Roja itself is just over 4 acres, on a hillside, with three different styles of grapes coming from it. There is a 250-foot elevation change from bottom to top. At the top of the slope are smaller grapes, with more sugar and less water. The bottom grapes are much more acidic, leaving the middle a blend of both. They also make sure that they pick all the grapes in one day, keeping the different lots separate. The blending will occur later, during the winemaking process. So while it is a single vineyard, the wine is a blend of three unique styles of grape. And that is the real beauty of Napa Valley!
About the Author
The articles you read in this section are written by Glenn Larkin a very good friend of La Maison Gourmet. Born and raised in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Glenn began his 35+ years news career at the Montreal Star. He then relocated to sunny southern California in 1980 where he currently resides. Glenn was employed for 20 years at Freedom Communications, first with the Orange County Register then the Colorado Springs Gazette where he held Production and Pre-production Management positions. Glenn is currently with Investor's Business Daily (IBD) where he is a System Admin first, but still works with production, reproduction and photo editing. Glenn has been with IBD for the past 10 years.
One of Glenn's biggest accomplishments was being part of two Pulitzer Prize winning teams. Glenn has also been given many opportunities to shares his love for both writing and photography at these newspapers - having many articles and photographs published, including articles of one of his favorite passions, wine! He brings his knowledge and experience to us at La Maison Gourmet.
Glenn is married, living in Lake Forest, California and when he isn't working, writing, and soaking up the sun, he enjoys golf, cooking... and of course, wine tasting! You will be pleased to read his articles. Have fun!
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 Robert Mondavi Opus One Napa Valley 2003 US $259.99
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 76 Bottle Wine Rack by Napa Valley Wine Racks US $259.00
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 Napa Valley Vibrant Vines US $250.00
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 Hot Air Balloon Ride Napa Valley US $250.00
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 Robert Mondavi Opus One Napa Valley 2004 US $249.99
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 2001 Mustards Grill Napa Valley Cookbook 1st Ed 1st Pt US $249.99
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 Napa Valley by Howard Behners US $249.00
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 Bond Napa Valley Fiberglass 3 Tiered Fountain Y97016 US $247.25
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 2001 Jones Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 15 L Magnum RP 95 US $241.00
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 Pure Country Weavers Napa Valley II Tapestry 2382 WH US $182.00
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 Pure Country Weavers Napa Valley II Tapestry 2382 WH US $179.00
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Michael Godard TURLEY WINE Red Wine Napa Valley Grapes APSHOW SIGNED US $1,895.00
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Napa Valley V Sattui Winery US $1,800.00
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Mint Titleist Cameron 2006 Napa Valley Putter Steel Right US $1,499.99
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Howard Behrens Napa Valley Wine Emb Canvas California US $399.95
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Howard Behrens Napa Valley S NCOAon canvas US $399.01
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76 Bottle Corner Wine Rack by Napa Valley Wine Racks US $375.00
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Bond Napa Valley Fountain US $289.99
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NEW NWT Nanette Lepore Napa Valley Wool Cream Ruffle Jacket Coat UK 8 US 4 US $289.00
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Napa Valley Swivel Counter Stool by Hillsdale 4294 828 US $279.00
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Robert Mondavi Opus One Napa Valley 2003 US $259.99
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76 Bottle Wine Rack by Napa Valley Wine Racks US $259.00
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Napa Valley Vibrant Vines US $250.00
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Hot Air Balloon Ride Napa Valley US $250.00
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Robert Mondavi Opus One Napa Valley 2004 US $249.99
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2001 Mustards Grill Napa Valley Cookbook 1st Ed 1st Pt US $249.99
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Napa Valley by Howard Behners US $249.00
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Bond Napa Valley Fiberglass 3 Tiered Fountain Y97016 US $247.25
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2001 Jones Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 15 L Magnum RP 95 US $241.00
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 Marilyn Monroe Merlot 1993 New Full Sealed Perfect Mint Napa Valley Red Wine US $224.99
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