Napa/Sonoma/Medocino

Question 1

Important Napa AVA’s to identify on a map?

Answer 1

*Carneros AVA
*Stags Leap District AVA
*Oakville AVA
*Rutherford AVA
*Howell Mountain AVA
*Mount Veeder AVA
*Calistoga AVA
*Yountville AVA

Question 2

Important AVAs of Sonoma to identify on a map?

Answer 2

*Carneros AVA
*Sonoma Coast AVA
*Alexander Valley AVA
*Russian River Valley AVA
*Dry Creek Valley AVA

Question 3

Climate of the North Coast?

Answer 3

Moderate to warm depending on proximity to the Pacific Ocean or San Pablo Bay.

Question 4

Difference in temp and diurnal shifts in Napa?

Answer 4

North Napa is warmer; mountainous regions have lower yields and bigger diurnal shifts.

Question 5

Winemaking in the North Coast?

Answer 5

*Often extensive use of new French and sometimes American oak barrels for both red and white wines.

*Malolactic fermentation often employed when making white wines, especially Chardonnay.

*Sparkling wines (usually traditional method) are produced in cooler areas such as Carneros and Anderson Valley.

Question 6

Most notable Napa AVAs and what grape their known for?

Answer 6

*Rutherford- Cab (Rutherford Dust Soil)
*Stags Leap- Cab (Gained popularity in the 70’s)
*Oakville- Cab
*Los Carneros- Chardonnay, PN, Sparkling (Cooler)
*Calistoga- Zin and Cab (Hotter!)
*Coombsville- Historically PN and Chardonnay, now Cab

Question 7

Most notable Sonoma Coast AVAs and what grape they’re known for?

Answer 7

*Russian River Valley- PN, Chardonnay
*Alexander Valley- Cab, Chard, Merlot, Syrah, Zin, PN
*Sonoma Coast- PN, Chardonnay