Napa Valley

Napa Valley is an American wine region located in Napa County, California. It is considered one of the most prestigious wine-producing areas in the United States, with a winemaking heritage dating back to the 19th century. At the turn of the century, Napa Valley winemakers managed to overcome the phylloxera crisis and then Prohibition, which affected the alcohol industry in the United States from 1920 to 1933, and today produce wines of great renown.

Napa Valley enjoys a Mediterranean-style climate influenced by the ocean, with geology and terrain conducive to growing high-quality grapes.

The valley is home to 340 vineyards that cultivate various grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Zinfandel... Most estates produce a wine typical of the Napa Valley , while a few choose to blend their wines, using grapes from both the valley and the surrounding hills. U.S. law allows a wine to be labeled as a Napa Valley wine based on a specific grape variety if at least 75% of the grapes used belong to that variety—many Napa Valley wines labeled as Cabernet Sauvignon therefore often contain a portion of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Durif, or Syrah. Similarly, a wine may be labeled as Napa Valley if at least 85% of the grapes come from the wine region of the same name, allowing winemakers to source grapes from other regions—often at lower prices—to blend their wine.