Napa Valley

Northern California, a valley in Napa County, north of San Francisco Bay.

Warm, dry Mediterranean days cooled by evening fog through the bay; varied microclimates along the valley.

Napa Valley made Californian wine famous. A narrow, fog-blessed valley north of San Francisco Bay, it pairs warm days and cool nights to produce some of the world's most powerful, ripe and expensive Cabernet Sauvignon - the wines of Robert Mondavi, Opus One, Screaming Eagle and hundreds of estates.

The 1976 Judgement of Paris put Napa on the map when its Cabernets beat Bordeaux in blind tasting, and it has never looked back.

For the buyer, Napa offers everything from approachable everyday reds to auction-level icons; hillside Cabernet is the defining style.

Terroir & Soil

Diverse soils - volcanic, alluvial, gravelly loam - and hillside slopes that define the estate character of the wine.

What to Expect from the Wines

· Napa Valley is America's most famous wine region, synonymous with world-class Cabernet Sauvignon.
· Its hillside Cabernets are dense, ripe and age-worthy with a signature cassis and cedar.
· Chardonnay and sparkling wine from cool sub-regions complete a polished portfolio.

Remarkable Bottles from Napa Valley

Opus One

Napa Valley · 2024 (representative vintage)

Opus One is an red wine from United States, in the Napa Valley region (Northern California, a valley in Napa County, north of San Francisco Bay.), made principally from Cabernet Sauvignon. The flagship Napa Bordeaux blend from the Mondavi–Rothschild joint venture.

$350–$550 est. retail

Screaming Eagle

Napa Valley · 2024 (representative vintage)

Screaming Eagle is an red wine from United States, in the Napa Valley region (Northern California, a valley in Napa County, north of San Francisco Bay.), made principally from Cabernet Sauvignon. The cult Napa Cabernet that started the modern collector frenzy — allocated, minuscule production, impossibly sought-after.

$2500–$4000 est. retail

Caymus Special Selection

Napa Valley · 2024 (representative vintage)

Caymus Special Selection is an red wine from United States, in the Napa Valley region (Northern California, a valley in Napa County, north of San Francisco Bay.), made principally from Cabernet Sauvignon. The Wagner family's celebrated Napa flagship — rich, layered and unmistakably Californian.

$180–$280 est. retail

Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet

Napa Valley · 2024 (representative vintage)

Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet is an red wine from United States, in the Napa Valley region (Northern California, a valley in Napa County, north of San Francisco Bay.), made principally from Cabernet Sauvignon. The American-style Cabernet archetype — soft, vanilla-kissed and instantly recognizable in its tall bottle.

$100–$150 est. retail

Ridge Monte Bello

Napa Valley · 2024 (representative vintage)

Ridge Monte Bello is an red wine from United States, in the Napa Valley region (Northern California, a valley in Napa County, north of San Francisco Bay.), made principally from Cabernet Sauvignon. The Bordeaux-style mountain Cabernet that beat French First Growths in the 1976 Judgment of Paris.

$200–$320 est. retail

Joseph Phelps Insignia

Napa Valley · 2024 (representative vintage)

Joseph Phelps Insignia is an red wine from United States, in the Napa Valley region (Northern California, a valley in Napa County, north of San Francisco Bay.), made principally from Cabernet Sauvignon. Napa's first proprietary Bordeaux blend (1974) and still one of its most consistent icons.

$200–$320 est. retail

Food Pairing

· Napa Cabernet pairs with grilled steak, short ribs and blue cheese.
· Chardonnay suits roast poultry and lobster.
· Zinfandel and Merlot round out barbecue and pasta pairings.

Buying from Napa Valley

› Look for estate Cabernet from the valley's famed sub-AVAs like Rutherford, Oakville and Stags Leap.
› Small-lot and single-vineyard bottlings command premium prices - and rewards.
› Imported wines and the entry-level ranges of the big houses give entry points.