Napa Wine

 

There is some debate over how this famous wine region got its name. Spanish settlers named the Native American tribe that originally inhabited the area “Wappo,” and some say this is a derivation of “guapo” meaning “handsome,” while others say it means “brave,” with Napa being a further spin-off. Another legend is that Napa is a Wappo word for the land itself. Regardless, with its Mediterranean climate and diverse terroirs, this land eventually became one of the most important wine regions in the world. 
 
The first vineyards in Napa were planted in 1836 by George Calvert Yount in what is now the town of Yountville. In the 1850s, Thomas Rutherford, who married Yount’s granddaughter, Elizabeth Yount, established the first vineyard in what would become Rutherford town. The first commercial winery was established by Charles Krug in the 1860s. Soon, the likes of Inglenook, Beringer and Schramsberg and many others set up their wineries Read more »

Mentor for Napa Wines

Craig Donofrio

Craig Donofrio is an Advanced Sommelier in the Court of Master Sommeliers and has worked and consulted for some of the nation's top restaurants. He is chief food/wine photographer at Grapevine Studios (www.grapevinestudios.blogspot.com).

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Popular wines made in Napa under $20

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Varietals Produced in Napa View all

  • Sauvignon Blanc

    Sauvignon Blanc is widely grown in California -- at over 15,000 acres, it’s now the third most planted variety -- and...

  • Cabernet Sauvignon

    “King of the Red Wine Grapes.” The colonizer of the vineyards, pushing native wine grapes into its shadows. The Caber...

  • Merlot

    The Occitanian word “merlot” translates to “young blackbird.” An accurate description for this popular, early-budding...

  • Syrah

    The irony here is that Syrah’s origins could give Carmen Sandiego a run for her international wallet. Syrah’s deepest...

  • Chardonnay

    British wine writer and critic, Jancis Robinson, once noted that throughout the 80’s and 90’s in the United States, C...

  • Zinfandel

    Parentage of the grape: Crljenak to Austria to America. In the 1970s, claims surfaced that the Italian Primitivo is l...

Subregions of Napa

  • Carneros

    Los Carneros- The first AVA one comes to as one splits off the Napa Vallejo Highway and takes rou...

  • Stag's Leap District

      Stags Leap District is located on the famous Silverado Trail of the Napa Valley region in ...

  • Yountville

    To the south of Oakville and comprised virtually entirely of valley floor land, Yountville is the...

Popular Wineries in Napa View all

  • Rockledge Vineyards

    High on the eastern slopes of Napa Valley just south of the town of St. Helena is a saddle covere...

  • Round Hill Vineyards & Cellars

    Rutherford Wine Company is family owned and managed with a portfolio of wines representing the ri...

  • Jade Mountain

    History Since 1988, Jade Mountain has been a pioneer in the production of age-worthy Rhône-style ...

  • Eagle's Trace

    All great wines have a sense of place. The French call it terroir - the site, the soil and the cl...

  • CrauforD Wine Co.

    Crauford Wine Company was founded in 2000 by Marilyn Crawford Corley, whose family originated in ...

  • John Anthony Vineyards

    In 1997 John Anthony Truchard began leasing and managing vineyard property with the idea of one d...

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Napa on Snooth

  • Markham Vineyards Rosé of Pinot Noir 2010

    Snoothrank:

    Fresh strawberry and light cranberry on the nose with hints of pink flowers. Crisp, refreshing and possessing nice red berry fruit. Cranberry, strawberry with a touch of raspberry. Nice acidity. 90 pts.5/10/13 at winery Read More

    Wine review by VegasOenophile


  • Markham Chardonnay Napa Valley 2011

    Snoothrank:

    Always a good go-to Chard for me. Nice nose of baked apple pie. Crisp and fresh on the palate. Apple tart and grilled pineapple flavors. Hints of guava. Nice with good balance. 90 pts.5/10/13 at winery Read More

    Wine review by VegasOenophile


  • Prager Aria White Port 2008

    Snoothrank:

    Nose of creme brulee shell. Toasty. Interesting flavors of caramel corn and toasty hazelnut. Nice. Finishes on a kettle corn note. 93 pts.5/10/13 at winery Read More

    Wine review by VegasOenophile


  • Prager Noble Companion 10-Year Old Tawny Port (new release from 2000 vintage) NV

    Snoothrank:

    Vanilla, caramel and bitter chocolate on the nose. Toasty on the palate and tastes like a liquid Ferraro-Rocher candy. Toasted hazelnut and milk chocolate. Really tasty!!95 pts.5/10/13 at winery Read More

    Wine review by VegasOenophile


  • Prager Royal Escort Port 2007

    Snoothrank:

    Red and black raspberry on the nose. Rich and lusicous on the palate with red and black raspberry fruit with great flavor and nice acidity to balance the sweetness. Great structure. 92 pts.5/10/13 at winery Read More

    Wine review by VegasOenophile


  • Prager Tomás Port 2007

    Snoothrank:

    Purple plum nose. Softer aromas. Soft on the palate with lovely purple and red plum. Smooth and tasty. Softer style port. Nice.90 pts.5/10/13 at winery Read More

    Wine review by VegasOenophile


  • Prager Port 2008

    Snoothrank:

    Nice caramel tone on the nose. Rich aromas. Great stucture! Rich, sweet red and blackberry. Great acidity. Dark chocolate covered cherry. 92 pts.5/10/13 at winery Read More

    Wine review by VegasOenophile


  • Prager Petit Sirah 2006

    Snoothrank:

    Nice blue and black fruit on the nose. Plum. Very fruity. Good balance on the palate with nice fruit. Toasty, smoky plum, blueberry and blackberry. Good tannin/acid balance. Flavors also of ink, tar, leather. Nice.88 pts.5/10/13 at winery Read More

    Wine review by VegasOenophile


  • Heitz Cellars Ink Grade Port NV

    Snoothrank:

    "Ruby Reserve" style. Made with 8 Port varietals. Nose of Chambord. Wonderful acid on the palate. Luscious and sweet with great balance of acid. Ripe red berry fruit. Raspberry sauce. Very nice!93 pts.5/10/13 at winery Read More

    Wine review by VegasOenophile


  • Heitz Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Martha's Vineyard 2001

    Snoothrank:

    Lovely nose. Mint, chocolate, red and purple flowers with red, purple and black berry fruit. Fruity with great acid frame. Relaxed tannin. This wine is made for food. Luscious, mouth-coating fruit. Driven by red fruit with blackberry. Masculine and powerful. Still has big acid with will age and integrate more with time. Plenty of life l... Read More

    Wine review by VegasOenophile


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