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Introduction and History of the Oakville Wine Region in Napa Valley

The Oakville region has become associated with quality wine in the last several years. Situated in the heart of the wine industry in Napa Valley, there are some 5,000 acres of vineyards stretching throughout this region. This is one of the most popular regions with tourists in Napa Valley.

This region, in particular, has become well known and recognized for quality production of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Some of the most widely regarded wineries in the region include Rudd Winery, Dalla Valle, Opus One, Screaming Eagle and Silver Oak Winery.

It is believed that one of the reasons this region has been so successful at producing highly sought after wines is due to the warm climate and its location north of the Yountville Mounts. Most of the wind as well as the fog from San Pablo Bay is blocked; providing quite a bit of protection to the area. As a result, the regions grapes are given sufficient time to ripen as well as to develop the characteristics for which wines from this region have become known.

The distinct and decidedly different terrains in this region have also lent to its success. Due to the distinct terrains in this region, a variety of different grapes are able to thrive. Just a few of the varieties that are commonly planted in this region include Zinfandel, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. On the valley floor, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay are also very common.

The history of wine production in Oakville is long and distinguished. The first vineyards in this region were planted by Hamilton Walker Crabb. 240 acres of land were purchased by Crabb in 1868. The Kalon Vineyard was soon established. Forty years later, there were more than 400 acres of vineyards in the region.

When phylloxera struck the area during the 1880s Crabb proved to be quite proactive. In fact, he was one of the very few winemakers in the region to convert his vineyards to rootstocks that were phylloxera resistant. Most of the remainder of the industry in the area was subsequently destroyed by this rather aggressive pest.

Those that remained were struck by Prohibition. Most of the vineyards in the area during this time were either neglected or completely destroyed due to the lack of demand as a result of Prohibition. There were a few vineyards that remained and were planted with specific varieties that could make it through being shipped to the East Coast for home winemaking purposes.

During this time large tracts of land that had previously been planted with some of the most noble varietals in the region were completely uprooted and replaced with prune orchards; the main agricultural crop of Napa Valley for several decades.

Following the repeal of Prohibition, it took a number of yeas before the Oakville wine region recovered. Eventually, things begin to change in the 1950s when most of the old Crabb estate was purchased by Cesare Mondavi. The old Kalon Vineyard was included in the purchase. Before long, Mondavi began to produce some wine from the quality grapes growing at the To Kalon.

During the 1960s, Heitz Cellars went into production of Marthas Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon; a wine that would become critically acclaimed. At the same time, the wine renaissance of Napa Valley began to pick up Steam. Robert Mondavi separated from the family winery at Charles Krug and went into production in Oakville; further solidifying Oakvilles place as a premier wine region.

It has been said that Mondavi has contributed more to the development of the Napa Valley wine industry as a whole than anyone else. After splitting away from his family, he set about establishing a completely innovative winery in Oakville.

His winery was built literally from the ground up and included in his vision the establishment of a tasting room that would welcome visitors as well as tours of the behind the scenes winemaking process. As a result of his vision, the wine industry in Oakville; as well as Napa Valley has never been the same.

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Oakville AVA: A Study in Individual Differences

Situated directly in the heart of the Napa Valley wine region, Oakville experiences some of the best weather in the area with days that are warm and sunny. The soils in the area, which are comprised of gravelly loan, are particularly well drained; allowing vintners in the area to produce some of the best wines in the area. More than 90%of the land in the region is planted with vineyards ranging from a number of Bordeaux varietals as well as Sangiovese, Syrah and Zinfandel.

Although the warm temperatures and sunshine of the region are common in the Northern Napa Valley, the Oakville climate is somewhat cooler than Rutherford, which is situated to the north. While Cabernet Sauvignon is certainly one of the king crops in Oakville, you will find that it receives somewhat less dominance in Oakville than in Rutherford. Opus One, one of the premier wineries in Oakville, is home to one of the most famous Cabernet blends in the entire state.

The wind and fog that comes in from San Pablo Bay only mildly affects the mornings and afternoons in Oakville. The series of hills known as the Yountville Mounts assists in blocking most of the influence from the Bay. As a result, the northern areas are warm.

The warm temperatures of Rutherford have led to the growth of exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon. In Oakville, the temperatures are somewhat cooler. As a result, the fruits grown here have flavors that are somewhat softer than the Cabs grown in Rutherford. In comparison to Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon, the Cabs produced in Oakville have less tannin. In addition, you will find that they do not tend to age as well. Still, Oakville Cabernets are known for their balanced and complex makeup.

The great majority of the Oakville AVA, which has become famous in its own right, is situated on the Western Bench above the floor of the Napa Valley, just at the base of the Mavacamas Mountains. The great majority of the best known Cabernet production stems from Oakville Bench.

The sediment that has washed down from the hills has contributed to the world famous Oakville Bench. The soils in this area are gravelly and sandy as a result. In addition, they are well-drained and quite deep, providing plenty of support for the development of large root systems.

One of the most famous properties in the Oakville AVA Bench is Marthas Vineyard. This vineyard was planted during the 1960s and 1970s and today comprises 40 prime acres. Heitz Cellars has also received international accolades as a result of making wine that resulted from Marthas Vineyard.

Between Silverado Trail and Highway 29 you will find the valley floor. In this area, the soils tend to be a combination of sandy loam that is well drained and iron rich clay. As a result, white varietals tend to thrive in this region. In the eastern portion of the valley floor, you will notice that the soils have a decidedly reddish color. This is from trace elements of oxidized iron.

Groth Vineyards and Winery is situated between Highway 29 and Silverado Trail right on Oakville Cross Road. This winery has become well known for their Cabs, which feature notes that are somewhat minty as well as dark and fruity. The soils in this particular area are a combination of sandy loam and clay loam.

The differences in the terrain in this area led to some debate when the area was first petitioned for AVA status. At the time a proposal was made that the area be established as two different AVAs; a general Oakville AVA and an Oakville Bench AVA. Naturally, vintners who would not have been included in the Oakville Bench AVA were opposed to the idea and subsequently the general Oakville AVA was established instead.

Despite the fact that only one AVA was established many feel that there are still distinctive differences between the soils in the benchland and other areas of Oakville. Specifically, the Cabs that are produced in the Oakville Bench are considered to have fewer minty and herbaceous notes than those wines that are produced on the valley floor.Those wines from the valley floor tend to have the ability to develop more fully as they age in addition to their fully bodied and earthier notes.

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History of the Oak Knoll Wine Region in Napa Valley

Oak Knoll has had a reputation as a fine wine producing region for many generations. You will find Oak Knoll in the southern part of Napa Valley. When you visit this region you will discover that it is typically less crowded than many other regions in the area. One of the reasons for this is the fact that most of the wineries in the region are located off of Highway 29 rather than directly on the highway. This can be a tremendous advantage for the tourist; however, as it typically means that the tasting rooms will be less crowded.

The climate in this region is somewhat transitional due to the fact that it receives the cooler winds from San Pablo Bay in addition to the warmer air coming from the North. This area has often been described as a sweet spot, a term that was coined by John Trefethen. As a result of the transitional climate a wide variety of different grapes can be grown in this region.

One of the most interesting aspects of this region is the terrain of the Oak Knoll wine region. Each individual vineyard plot can be somewhat unique and different and contain a different soil composition. This is the reason you will find a tremendous amount of variation in this region.

Prior to 1968, most of the region was actually not used for growing grapes at all. There had been some wine production but certainly not to the point that it has reached today in Oak Knoll. Eugenio Trefethen was the first to realize how much untapped resource this region might hold. He purchased 600 acres in the region and the rest is now history. In 2004, Oak Hill was designated as an AVA.

The first winery built in Oak Knoll was Eshcol Winery, built in 1886. Gravity flow technology was used in this winery in order to make production more streamlined. Some of the earliest wines produced in this winery became highly acclaimed. Cabernet Sauvignon was particularly well known.

In the 1920s the Biale family moved to area and began producing wine. Eventually they opened a winery as well as a tasting room on Big Ranch Road. In order to visit this winery you need to make an appointment.

When Treffethen purchased his 600 acres in 1968, part of the land he purchased encompassed the old Eshcol property. Several years later, in 1973, Trefethen Winery was established by John Trefethen. It was a long and difficult process; however, he set about restoring the once historic property. Today, his winery is still a fine example of gravity flow technology in use in a winery.

The 1970s proved to be a tremendously vital time period in the development of Oak Knoll as a premier wine region. In 1970s, Jeff Corley arrived and began to establish a number of vineyards. In the beginning he planted Chardonnay and Pinot Noir; however, since that time he has shifted his attention to planted many varietals that are much fuller bodied. For a number of years, Corley sold his grapes to other wineries; however, beginning in the 1980s he began his own wine production. His winery now produces a highly acclaimed Pinot Noir.

Other well known wineries in the Oak Knoll region include Darioush Winery, Andretti Wineery, Laird Family Estate, Koves Newlan, Sedna and Broodale Vineyards. Robert Biale Vineyards and Trefethen Vineyards continue to stand out among the vineyards in this region.

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