Napa Valley Sub-Regions

Cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Bay fog. Champagne-style sparkling wine.

The coolest AVA in Napa, sitting at the southern end of the valley where San Pablo Bay fog rolls in daily. Carneros produces Napa's finest Chardonnay and Pinot Noir — more Burgundian in style than the big Cabs further north. An ideal first stop when arriving from San Francisco.

Silky, elegant Cabernet Sauvignon. Volcanic soils. Home of the Judgment of Paris.

A narrow volcanic corridor on Napa's east side, sheltered by the Palisades rock formation. This is where the 1976 Judgment of Paris was won — Stag's Leap Wine Cellars' Cab beat the best Bordeaux blind. The porous volcanic soils produce silky, elegant Cabernet with remarkable finesse.

Napa's premier Cabernet Sauvignon appellation. Complex alluvial soils. Ultra-premium producers.

The valley's most celebrated floor-level AVA, sitting at the heart of Napa where the valley widens and drainage from both mountain ranges creates complex alluvial soils. Home to Opus One, Robert Mondavi, and a cluster of cult producers. If Napa has a 'Grand Cru' zone, this is it.

Earthy 'Rutherford dust' minerality. Historic estates. Benchland Cabernet.

Adjacent to Oakville, Rutherford is famous for 'Rutherford dust' — a distinctive earthy, mineral quality found in wines from its benchland soils. André Tchelistcheff called it 'the greatest Cabernet in the world.' Home to Beaulieu Vineyard, Inglenook, and Rubicon — Napa's historic heart.

Rich, structured Cabernet. Historic estates. Warmer mid-valley climate. CIA campus.

The mid-valley town of St. Helena is surrounded by some of Napa's oldest estates. Beringer (founded 1876), Joseph Phelps, and Duckhorn are all based here. The valley narrows, temperatures are warmer, and the Cabernets tend toward richness and structure. Excellent dining and the Culinary Institute of America campus.

High-altitude, tannic Cabernet. Above the fog line. Age-worthy collectibles.

One of Napa's first AVAs to be defined by elevation — vineyards sit above the fog line at 400–800m. Howell Mountain Cabs are big, tannic, and built for aging. The altitude slows ripening, producing intense colour and structure. A different style to valley floor wines — seeked out by collectors.

Warm northern tip. Old Vine Zinfandel. Mineral spas. Powerful Cabernet and Petite Sirah.

At the northern tip of the valley, Calistoga is warmer than anywhere else in Napa — ideal for late-ripening varieties. Famous for its mineral springs and spa culture, making it a natural choice for a rest day between tastings. Old Vine Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, and powerful Cab are the calling cards.