Description
Howell Mountain is one of Napa Valley’s most prestigious hillside AVAs. It covers an area of land on the Vaca mountain range in the northern part of the valley, just above the town of St Helena.
A long, thin area, the Howell Mountain AVA measures about 10 miles (16km) from northwest to southeast and less than two miles across at its widest point around the town of Angwin. The local vineyards are grouped in several distinct areas, carefully oriented according to the lie of the land, in contrast to the densely planted valley floor below. There is no Howell Mountain peak – the AVA is named for the tiny Howell Mountain township, which sits 1,690 feet (515m) above sea level.
In order to claim the Howell Valley appellation, the vineyards must be planted above the 1,400 feet (430-m) contour line, and reach as high as 2,200 feet (670m) above sea level. This puts Howell Mountain above the fog that serves as a climate moderator in the valley below. Instead, Howell Mountain’s vignerons rely on the vineyards’ elevation above the valley floor for climate moderation.
Influenced by the local topography, diurnal temperature variation is high here, giving the grapes the opportunity to bask in the Californian sunshine throughout the day and cool down overnight. Grapes develop intense color and flavor without becoming baked by stifling overnight heat. This shows in Howell Mountain wines, which are celebrated for their acid structure and aromatic depth.
Howell Mountain’s soil types are also influenced by the topography. Many of Howell Mountain’s vineyards are planted on volcanic soils, while iron-rich clay is also common. These soils tend to be thin, dry and lacking in nutrients, which has long been considered conducive to good viticulture, as it forces the vines to produce small, intense grapes, rather than leafy foliage. This intensity translates into the finished wines, offering tannic structure and aging potential.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.