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Napa Valley is famous for its beautiful scenery and lively wine culture, which make it a top spot for vineyard enthusiasts; and among the many Napa Valley wineries – V. Sattui stands out as a cornerstone of local viticulture.
This blog will explore what makes Napa Valley a renowned wine-growing region including terroir, leading and lesser-known wine varietals, and sustainable vineyard practices, as well as highlight why V. Sattui Winery is the best place to explore a wide selection of these world-class wines.
Napa Valley Terroir
Napa Valley has become a leading wine-making destination thanks to its unique terroir. A region’s terroir includes its weather, soil, landscape, and the human touch that influence the types of wine produced in the area.
Climate
Napa Valley’s Mediterranean climate, with warm summers and mild, wet winters is idyllic for viticulture. The long growing season offers plenty of time for grapes to develop balanced flavors and achieve full phenolic ripeness.
The area’s prime location next to the Pacific Ocean and San Pablo Bay also creates microclimates with fog and cool breezes, perfect for growing different grape varieties.
Soil
Napa Valley is home to over 100 soil types, including volcanic ash, clay, gravel, and loam. Each soil type has a unique mineral composition and drainage properties that benefit specific grape varietals.
Geography
Napa Valley is nestled between the Mayacamas Mountains and the Vaca Range.
This means hillside vineyards have more sunlight and good drainage, producing grapes with higher tannins. Meanwhile, vineyards on the valley floor enjoy richer soils that produce fruitier wines with softer tannins.
Human Touch
Napa Valley owes much of its success to the devoted winemakers who pour their hearts into every bottle. With unwavering standards, they bring out the best in each grape, crafting exceptional wines that captivate aficionados worldwide.
Key Wine Varietals in Napa Valley
Napa Valley is famous for its varied microclimates which allow for a wide variety of grape varietals to flourish. V. Sattui showcases a broad spectrum of these varietals – from the widely grown including:
- Cabernet Sauvignon: Known for its bold, full-bodied profile, rich tannins, and complex flavors of dark fruit, cassis, and hints of oak.
- Merlot: Featuring softer tannins and velvety texture, hints of plum, black cherry, and chocolate.
- Chardonnay: Another star of Napa Valley and V. Sattui Winery, offering flavors from crisp and fruity to rich and buttery.
- Pinot Noir: A delicate but complex grape producing wines with elegant aromas of cherry, raspberry, and earthy undertones. It’s often complemented by subtle notes of spice and oak.
- Zinfandel: Known for its bold, spicy character and ripe berry flavors, Zinfandel often has notes of blackberry, pepper, and anise.
- Sauvignon Blanc: Possessing vibrant acidity and bright flavors of citrus, green apple, and tropical fruits.
To the lesser known varieties, including:
- Syrah: Depending on the microclimate, Syrah can have flavors ranging from dark berries and plum to pepper, licorice, and smoked meat.
- Grenache: A late ripening grape, believed to have originated in Spain and known for flavors of raspberry, strawberry and white pepper.
- Malbec: Originating in France and grown widely in Argentina, Malbec produces inky, full-bodied wines with ample tannin.
- Petite Verdot: A full-bodied red, with its provenance in Bordeaux, this grape is often used in blends due to its intense color, floral aromas, and firm tannins.
Napa Valley Blends
Some of Napa Valley’s most well-known wines include Bordeaux-style blends, known as “Meritage,” featuring the five noble Bordeaux grape varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, and Petite Verdot. Rhone-style blends like the classic GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre) are also very popular.
These days, winemakers are more creative than ever with their blended offerings, artfully combining different varieties together to add depth, complexity, and style to their wines, with each unique component elevating the finished blend.
V. Sattui offers a wide variety of award-winning blends including Tre Uve Bianco, a refreshing white wine perfect for summer featuring Chenin Blanc, Albariño, and Pinot Grigio. Another popular choice is Entanglement, a cult-followed GSM-style blend. Their signature Bordeaux-style blend, Paradiso, meaning “heaven” in Italian, is prized for its smooth, silky textures and complex, full-bodied structure. It has the ability to age beautifully for decades.
V. Sattui’s Iconic Wines
V. Sattui offers a broad selection of limited, small lot wines, available exclusively through the winery. A few highlights from our critically acclaimed collection include:
2019 Preston Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
Earning 95 Points and a prestigious “Cellar Selection” designation from Wine Enthusiast for the 2019 vintage, Preston Vineyard Cabernet was one of V. Sattui’s very first vineyard designated offerings in the early years and continues to shine vintage after vintage with its hallmark “Rutherford Dust” character, full body and cellar worthiness.
2021 La Merica
Receiving Triple Gold at Dan Berger’s Int’l Wine Competition, this very special offering honors the winery’s Italian heritage with a modern interpretation of a classic pre-prohibition blend.
2021 Napa Valley Merlot, Estate
Awarded Best in Class, 97 Points & Double Gold at the American Fine Wine Competition;, this stunning Merlot is richly flavored, intensely aromatic and smooth on the palate. A beautifully structured expression of the cool, Mt. Veeder appellation of Napa Valley where it is grown.
2022 Los Carneros Chardonnay, Napa Valley, Estate
Rated 93 Points by James Suckling, this sumptuous Chardonnay, crafted from fruit from Hibbard Ranch in the Los Carneros AVA of Napa Valley, offers enticing aromas and flavors of caramelized toast and ripe peach with a lingering finish.
2021 Black-Sears Vineyard Zinfandel, Howell Mountain
Earning Best Zinfandel, 95 Points, and a Platinum medal at the Monterey International Wine Competition; this wine features the savory black currant and green peppercorn aromas the Black-Sears Vineyard is famous for, along with a velvety texture, bright, mouthwatering red fruit and taut tannins. A must have to drink now or cellar for enjoyment in the years to come.
Sustainable Vineyard Practices in Napa Valley
Sustainable vineyard practices which enhance the quality of soil, fruit, and ultimately the finished wine, while reducing environmental harm are vital to the preservation of Napa Valley. These practices include:
- Organic farming: Many vineyards in the Valley avoid synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. Instead, they opt for natural alternatives that promote soil health and biodiversity.
- Biodynamic agriculture: This holistic approach uses composting and lunar cycles to improve soil fertility and vineyard vitality.
- Precision viticulture: Cutting-edge tools like GPS mapping and remote sensing enable accurate tracking of vine health and soil conditions. This boosts the quality of grapes while conserving resources.
- Water conservation: Drip irrigation and soil moisture monitoring optimize water use. At the same time, rainwater capture systems reduce dependence on finite water resources.
- Cover cropping and soil management: Cover crops are planted between the vine rows to keep the soil healthy and prevent erosion.
- Biodiversity conservation: Habitat restoration projects protect insects and animals, encouraging a natural way of controlling pests and pollinating plants.
V. Sattui Winery & Holistic Sustainability
V. Sattui is dedicated to the prosperity and sustainability of Napa Valley for future generations. Proud to farm 100% organically across 200 acres and four counties; V. Sattui is a Napa Green Certified Winery and Napa Green Certified Vineyard. To learn more about their holistic approach to sustainability and dedication to a climate positive future, visit: https://www.vsattui.com/sustainability/
Napa Valley’s special mix of weather, soil, landscape, and human skill sets the stage for various luxury wine varietals.
V. Sattui Winery showcases this diversity by offering wine lovers a range of wines that truly reflect the richness of Napa Valley’s vineyards.
From bold Cabernet Sauvignons to expertly crafted blends – V. Sattui has a wine for every palate.
Discover Napa Valley Wine at V. Sattui
Exploring the wide range of wine varieties grown in Napa Valley is essential to truly understanding and appreciating the unique character of this world class wine growing region.
Each varietal tells a story of the region’s special terroir and winemaking traditions. To experience this diversity firsthand; book a wine tasting experience or tour today at V. Sattui Winery and enjoy a memorable journey through Napa Valley’s diverse wines at one of the region’s most celebrated wineries.