As discussed, each area within Wine Country has it’s own unique history, climate and vine history which makes it’s AVA different from the next. Because the US AVA rules require that at least 85% of the grapes contributing to the wine come from the listed AVA.
The Napa Valley is itself an appellation, and it has been since it received its own AVA designation in 1983. It is California’s first recognized AVA and the second in the United States. Within the Napa Valley appellation exists 15 sub-appellations. Many of these sub-appellations are created because of the microclimates that exist due to the various coastal weather patterns and the geographical influences of the higher (lower) influences.
Atlas Peak AVA
Climate: Cool, mountain-influenced, with temperatures about 10 to 15°F cooler than the Valley floor in summer. Above the fog line, there is a low diurnal change, with summer temperatures rarely above 90°F (32.2°C).
Elevation: 760 to 2600 ft (231m to 792m).
Rainfall: 38 inches (96cm) annually.
Soils: Volcanic in origin, with basaltic red color, shallow with limited water retention, so irrigation is often essential.
Principal varieties & characteristics: Cabernet Sauvignon: Bright berry and cherry fruit, and more acidity than wines from Stags Leap District. Chardonnay: Crisp, floral, aromatic, with distinctive pear-mineral flavors and bright acidity.
Calistoga AVA
Climate: Warm to hot, depending upon time of year; lower humidity; summer temperatures peak to 90°F (32.2°C) and fall to low 50s°F (11°C), the result of marine air from the northwest; cool afternoon and evening breezes
Elevation: 300 to 1200 ft (92 to 370m)
Rainfall: 38 to 60 inches (96.5 to 150cm) annually
Soils: Almost completely of volcanic origin, soils range from rocky, stony loam on the hillsides, to gravelly or cobbly loams on the alluvial fans, to heavier clay-silt soils in the valley center areas
Principal varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Syrah, Petite Sirah
Chiles Valley District AVA
Climate: Fairly warmer summer days (mid-80°F plus/28.8 to 31°C), but due to higher elevation and summer fog at night, quite chilly at night (below 50°F/10°C). With colder winters and spring, as well as strong winds, harvest comes later than on valley floor at Oakville.
Elevation: 800 to 1300 ft. (242 to 394m).
Rainfall: 35 inches (88cm) annually.
Soils: On the valley floor, primarily alluvial soils with silty-clay composition of marine origin, with good fertility. Hillsides show more clay-loam and stony-clay composition, mostly marine in origin, with some volcanic outcropping, and less fertility.
Principal varieties & characteristics: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc: Cabernets usually reveal a lush yet firm texture with good acidity, firm tannin and distinctive cherry-blackberry flavors. Merlot typically has vibrant black cherry flavors mixed with a touch of cocoa.
Diamond Mountain District AVA
Climate: Moderately warm temperatures with lower maximum temperatures and higher minimum temperatures than north Napa Valley floor, due to topography and altitude. Significantly cooler than valley floor near Calistoga, 50 to 95°F in growing season (10 to 32°C).
Elevation: 400 to 2200 ft. (130 to 530m)
Rainfall: 40 to 55 inches (135cm) annually.
Soils: Residual uplifted soils of volcanic origin, often reddish and very fine-grained, even gritty in texture, composed of both weathered sedimentary and volcanic origin.
Principal varieties & characteristics: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc: firmly structured, rich and fairly tannic when young, with strong blackcurrant, mineral, and cedary flavors. Less supple and fleshy than valley or benchland wines, with good aging potential. Chardonnay: Full-bodied, yet revealing mineral, green apple-peach aromas with fairly firm acidity; less richly textured than valley floor wines.
Climate: Similar to the facing Spring Mountain AVA, however slightly warmer and dryer overall due to strong afternoon sun influence. Fairly cool nights in both ranges and higher elevations help maintain good acidity.
Elevation: 600 to 2200 ft (184 to 675m).
Rainfall: 40 to 50 inches (125cm) annually.
Soils: Predominantly volcanic, shallow and infertile. Drainage is high, fertility low.
Principal varieties & characteristics: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel: Powerful, firm, blackberry-currant flavors and often richly tannic, with excellent acidity for aging. Chardonnay, Viognier: Sinewy, firm and not as fruity as those of the valley floor, revealing more citrus and stone fruit flavors.
Los Carneros AVA
Climate: Cool, with prevailing marine winds from the San Pablo Bay and through the Petaluma Gap to the west. High temperatures during summer rarely exceed 80°F (27°C) with less diurnal range variation.
Elevation: 15 to 400 ft. (4.6 to124 m)
Rainfall: Lowest in Napa Valley: 18 to 24 inches (7.2 to 9.6cm) annually.
Soils: Clay dominated, very shallow in general, with more loam and hillside alluvials in the northern section. Yields typically are restrained by the hard claypan subsoil, which prevents deep-rooting.
Principal varieties & characteristics: Chardonnay: minerally pear-apple and spice flavors. Merlot: sinewy and lightly herbal, with fine tannins and sleek structure. Pinot Noir: ripe cherry-cinnamon spice flavors with earthy notes.
Mount Veeder AVA
Climate: Cool to moderate, with most vineyards above the fog-line, meaning warmer nights and cooler days and less diurnal range than the valley floor. Typical mid-summer high temperatures about 85°F (30°C).
Elevation: 600 to 2100 ft. (183 to 650m).
Rainfall: 35 inches (87.5cm) annually.
Soils: Sedimentary based, former seabed, shallow and generally well drained, as well as more acidic, with low fertility. Most have a sandy or sandy-loam texture.
Principal varieties & characteristics: Ageability is a hallmark of Mt. Veeder wines. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel: Low yields give red wines a firm, tannic structure with strong earth-berry aromas and rich, but powerful flavors. Chardonnay: minerally, appley, even citrus flavors with good acidity.
Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley AVA
Climate: Moderate to cool: marine air and fog can remain until mid-morning. Late afternoon breezes frequently occur, maintaining slightly cooler temperatures than upper valley. Mid-summer temperatures may reach 92° F (33.3°C) and drop to around 50°F (10°C) at night.
Elevation: sea level to 800 feet (244m)
Rainfall: 36 inches (90cm) annually.
Soils: The valley’s largest alluvial fan formed by Dry Creek creates the defining feature of the district. The northwest area is composed of volcanically derived soils, with stony or gravelly consistency. South and east areas are transitional from gravel to silty clay loam.
Principal varieties & characteristics: Merlot, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon benefit from a longer growing season with slightly cooler temperature, though crop size is typically less than in other AVAs. Elegant style is the common note with fruit flavors of cassis, tobacco and spice typical to Bordeaux-style reds. Chardonnay showcases flavors of crisp apple, mineral notes and tropical fruit with fine acidity.
Oakville AVA
Climate: Moderately warm, with temperatures commonly in the mid-90°F (34-35.5°C) range in high summer, but also still strongly affected by night and early morning fog which helps keep acidity levels good. East side of the AVA receives more of warmer afternoon sun.
Elevation: 75 to 500 ft (23 to 150m).
Rainfall: 35 inches (87.5cm) annually.
Soils: Primarily sedimentary gravelly alluvial loams on the western side, with more volcanic but heavier soils on the eastern side. Low to moderate fertility and fairly deep, with average water retention.
Principal varieties & characteristics: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot: Ripe currant and mint flavors, rich texture and full, firm structure tempered by rich fruit. Sauvignon Blanc: Full, steely, yet very fleshy.
Rutherford AVA
Climate: Moderately warm, still marginally influenced by early morning fog. Western bench area is cooler, with less late afternoon sun, tempered by afternoon marine winds. (This AVA averages a bit warmer than Oakville and Stags Leap District). Usual summer peak temperatures are mid-90°F (34-35.5°C) with good diurnal range.
Elevation: 100 to 500 ft. (33 to 150m).
Rainfall: 38 inches (95cm) annually.
Soils: Western benchland is sedimentary, gravelly-sandy and alluvial, with good water retention and moderate fertility. The eastern side has more volcanic soils, moderately deep and more fertile.
Principal varieties & characteristics: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Zinfandel: Quite intense cherry and mineral, almost earthy aromas. Flavors are full, ripe, and notably currant with firm, but supple tannins for extended aging.
Spring Mountain District AVA
Climate: Similar to Mt. Veeder AVA, with cool weather prevailing and smaller diurnal changes. Fairly cool nights and higher elevations help maintain good acidity.
Elevation: 600 to 2200 ft (184 to 675m).
Rainfall: 40 to 50 inches (125cm) annually.
Soils: Primarily sedimentary; weathered sandstone/shale, loamy and friable in texture. Drainage is high, fertility low.
Principal varieties & characteristics: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel: Powerful, firm, blackberry-currant flavors and often richly tannic, with excellent acidity for aging. Chardonnay, Viognier: Sinewy, firm and not as fruity as those of the valley floor, revealing more citrus and stone fruit flavors.
St. Helena AVA
Climate: Warm, due to greater protection from western hills, with less fog or wind incursions. The narrowing of the valley floor provides more heat reflection off the hillsides. Mid-summer temperature peak is often in the mid- to high-90°F range (34 to 35°C).
Elevation: 150 to 600 ft. (46 to 185m).
Rainfall: 38 to 40 inches (95 to 100cm) annually.
Soils: South and west borders are more sedimentary, gravel-clay soils, with lower fertility and moderate water retention. Further north and to the east soils are prevalently volcanic in origin and are deeper and more fertile.
Principal varieties and characteristics: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot: deep, ripe, often jammy flavors, with firm tannins for structure, and appealing aromas of currant and black fruit. Rhone varieties (Syrah, Viognier): Fleshy, supple and slightly earthy. Zinfandel: Blackberry-like, well-structured.
Stags Leap District AVA
Climate: Moderately warm, with afternoon marine winds acting as an ‘air-conditioner’ to cool the warmer air radiating off the bare rocks of Stags Leap itself and the surrounding hillsides. This AVA is often up to 10°F warmer than in Yountville AVA. Mid-summer temperatures can reach 100°F (37.7°C), but more regularly are in mid-90° range (32-34°C).
Elevation: 66 to 400 ft. (20 to 123m).
Rainfall: 30 inches (75cm) annually.
Soils: Volcanic gravel-loams on the floor of the valley, with rocky hillsides, and low to moderate fertility due to hard clay bedrock subsoils 2 to 6 feet down.
Principal varieties & characteristics: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese: Distinguished by lush, velvety textures and fine perfumed cherry and red berry flavors, supported by soft tannins. Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc: Round and ripe, especially Sauvignon Blanc, yet retain excellent citrus and apple flavors.
Wild Horse Valley AVA
Climate: A warmer area well to the east of Napa Valley proper, but still moderated by both altitude and prevailing winds coming off Suisun Bay to the southeast.
Elevation: Wild Horse Valley 400 to 1500 ft. (123 to 460m).
Rainfall: 35 inches (94cm) annually.
Soils: Volcanic in origin, with basaltic red color, shallow with limited water retention, so irrigation is often essential.
Principal varieties & characteristics: Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese: Bright berry and cherry fruit, and more acidity than wines from Stags Leap District. Chardonnay: Crisp, floral, aromatic, with distinctive pear-mineral flavors and bright acidity.
Yountville
Climate: Moderate, with definite cool marine influence and fog contributing to cool summer mornings and the marine breeze keeping afternoons more comfortable than further up valley. Mid-summer peak temperatures may reach 90°F (32.2°C), with noticeable diurnal fluctuation to the mid-50°F range (13°C).
Elevation: 20 to 200 ft (6 to 61m).
Rainfall: 32 inches (80cm) annually.
Soils: Principally gravelly silt loams, sedimentary in origin, and gravelly alluvial soils with rock, moderately fertile.
Principal varieties & characteristics: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot: Yountville favors Cabernet and Merlot with ripe, violety aromas and rich, but supple flavors and firm tannins.
One of our favorite events each year gives us the opportunity to dine with four other couples at one of Napa Valley’s finest restaurants with a world class chef and a special menu all our own! During Flavor! the selected Chef will join your table to discuss the local ingredients, and their interpretation on Napa Valley’s bounty. Normally, the wine director stops by to discuss the pairings, which of course highlight the wonderful wines from Napa Valley. It really is a special event!
There are 18 restaurants participating this year in Flavor! Some of our favorites this year are Bottega Ristorante, Bistro Jeanty, Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen, The Lakehouse at Calistoga Ranch, The French Laundry (can you beleive they have 991 reviews on Yelp?), LaToque, Morimoto Napa and PRESS. The interesting thing about the choices of restaurants is that they speak to all of the wonderful culinary trends here – including Casual dining to “Master” Steak House. (We’re more casual).
The Chef’s involved in these activities include Tyler Florence, Masaharu Morimoto, Almir Da Fonseca, David Funaro, Clint Davies, Michael Chiarello, Michael Chiarello, Michael Chiarello, Cindy Pawlcyn and MANY more. The events are always interesting, and we are especially looking forward to meeting Dean and Deluca’s Wine Director Kerrin Laz who is scheduled to attend the Saturday, November 19th event at the Silverado Resort and Spa hosted by Executive Chef Jeffrey Jake.
All net proceeds from Flavor! Napa Valley benefit the CIA Greystone Campus scholarship programs, which support the development of tomorrow’s culinary and wine education leaders. Who knows what future Ultimate Flavors event they might create (we suggest something with Chinese Fusions!)?
Where: Several locations throughout Napa Valley, California
You can follow these chefs, and the activities planned for the week at #FNV11 on Twitter (of course, I’m @MarkStornetta, your welcome to follow me too!)! Looking for your own vineyard in Napa Valley or maybe you’d like to purchase a home with some land in Sonoma? I’m uniquely tied to this land. My wife’s family owns a vineyard, my educational background and professional experience includes number crunching ( Former CFO and General Partner Glen Ellen Winery), and I’m friends with many of the vintners and growers in the Coastal AVA’s! Call Mark Stornetta while you’re here 707-815-8749
An American Viticultural Area, or AVA for short, is a region designated by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau as a grape-growing area. The area, is literally, a tract of land that is established as being of significance in terms of history, geography and climate. It must be deemed “different” from the land nearby and the production in those other AVA’s. In a word, you must prove what makes that area special.
The US system says that a wine cannot be labeled as originating from a particular AVA unless 85% of the grapes used in the wine come directly from that particular tract of land. The US system is loosely based upon the French Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) – which is really the “benchmark” for “Wine Appellations” around the world. The biggest difference is that in countries like France, The Appellation will literally put restraints on the production allowed during a particular season, the harvest times, and what types of grapes are acceptable for the region. The vineyard must meet these 7 categories for the French to allow the wine to be labeled from a certain area:
(1) the land-acceptable vineyard acreage is precisely defined based on centuries of recorded usage and issues such as the land’s soil, configuration, and altitude
(2) the grape varieties-the grape varieties are defined for each geographic area and based on historical data, clarifying which varieties perform well in particular soils and climates
(3) viticultural practices-this category considers such things as the number of vines per hectare pruning techniques, and fertilization methods
(4) permissible yield-because large yields decrease the grapes’ quality, and one way to improve caliber is to restrict the crop, maximum yields are established for each AC
(5) alcohol content-all ACs must guarantee a minimum alcohol level, which means that the grapes must reach a certain ripeness (sugar content), which in turn ensures flavor, although in some areas it’s legal to add sugar (chaptalize) to reach the required alcohol level
(6) winemaking practices-each AC has regulations regarding wine making procedures, usually based on historical practices that produced favorable results
(7) official tasting-since 1979 tasting panels sample all wines that apply for AC status. Wines that meet all seven of these criteria are entitled to use the phrase Appellation Contrôlée on their labels;
In the US, our system doesn’t require that you grow a certain variety of grapes, or that you limit production to only handcrafted wines to qualify. With our AVA system, if you purchase a wine that says Howell Mountain AVA, or Bennett Valley Appellation, they must have 85% of the grapes from the area, simple as that.
If you are considering a vineyard as a second home, or a new business, it’s important to understand that the Counties of Sonoma and Napa are now somewhat restrictive to “cookie cutter” neighborhoods. Custom Homes are typically built on land parcels ranging from five to 40 acres. If you have questions about vineyards and wineries for sale in Sonoma or Napa Valley, or if you want more information about the AVA’s – please call Mark Stornetta at 707-815-8749. I’m uniquely qualified to help you make an investment if you want to purchase a vineyard in Sonoma, or a winery in Napa. I understand the history and the challenges of owning a vineyard home… and I understand ROI and EBIT, and can show you the formulas I use.
Hong Kong is under going a population change, as it becomes increasingly older, with dual income, “empty nester” families. The increased disposable income for these families, combined with the government’s abolishment of its 40% excise tax on wine on February 27, 2008, is good news for real estate for Wine Country Real Estate.
There have been 4 significant changes to the Hong Kong tax rates in the last 5 years, which resulted in lower wine prices. These tax changes are part of a larger move by the government to encourage investment and ensure Hong Kong’s economic competitiveness. They are predicted to continue to encourage the development of Hong Kong as a regional wine trading and distribution hub.
Fortunately, American and South African wines have seen the largest price reductions in Hong Kong. The European wine prices have not faired as well, however, France leads all statistics for high end Chinese Wine Consumption. The abolishment of tax on wine has also led to increased imports of high-value wine.
In addition to this, wine in Hong Kong and the rest of China has become “a social status symbol especially among the newly formed middle classes in China.” According to more than one analyst, “The demand for wine is increasing at extremely high speed.” With lower prices, and a growing demand from the Chinese Consumer, many are gambling on the fact that Hong Kong will eventually become one of the world’s largest wine auction centers.
Additionally, it’s important to note that in the last five years, Chinese wine consumption has doubled. According to VINEXPO research the forecast for 2014 is for Chinese wine consumption to grow by a further 19.6%, reaching 127 million 9-litre cases by the end of the period. Again, from a pure ROI and EBIT Investment Opportunity for Chinese investors, purchasing Vineyards and Wineries makes sense.
At that point, China will be the 6th largest wine consuming country in the world. (VINEXPO – The iwsr / 21 February 2011)
Consider this, Asia’s recent appetite for fine wine brought record auction sales in October of 2010 when Three bottles of 1869 vintage Chateau Lafite-Rothschild sold for 1.8 million Hong Kong dollars each (US$232,692 according to the WSJ) – the highest amount sold for wine at auction world-wide. On October 3, 2011 The Southeby’s Luxury Wine Auction highest seller was 1988 Domaine de la Romanée Conti. 12 bottles of The globally sought after Burgandy sold for $116,346.
The California Wine Institute is doing it’s part to promote our Napa Vineyards and Sonoma Wineries to the Chinese. In July the San Francisco based Institute participated in a Virtual Wine Tasting, involving California Vintners and a select group of lifestyle media representatives in Shanghai. The video conferenced tasting was part of the Institutes $300,000 branding campaign for California Wines in China, and in Shanghai there were bus wraps, subway bulkheads and light boxes, and luxury shopping mall billboards promoting our wines!
This spring, the Wine Institute completed a four-city trade mission to China with 27 California winery delegates, representing 68 wineries and 95 California wine brands, the largest California winery representation ever. The 2011 China Tour included visits to Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. Of the U.S. wine exports to China, 90% come from California, that represents $45 million in sales during 2010, a 27% increase from the previous year.
Other trends associated with the Chinese Wine Phenomenon? Expert Jeannie Cho Lee says to expect to see more Chinese Women involved in the process. “Women will play a greater role in both the wine trade and on the consumer side. More women are buying wine, and within the trade, there are more female sommeliers, wine CEOs and executives emerging in Asia. Look at markets such as Japan, where women are one of the most significant buyers in the Japanese market. As the wine market matures in Hong Kong and China, this will happen there, too.” Another change? Women may be leading the way to more White Wine Consumption in China as report after report indicate that it’s more common now to see women ordering White Wine with their fish.
Additionally, some analyst believe that the great Chefs in Wine Country might experience a change too! With travel, and more exposure to other cultures, many expect to see more cross over from Japanese inspired dishes with wine pairings, to a fusion with Chinese ingredients like sea cucumber and abalone. Who knows, it might be a hot topic at November’s Flavor! Napa Valley™, November 17-20!
I recently toured a wonderful piece of land in the Howell Mountain Appellation with a friend. For the right owner and the right management team, it could be a profitable investment. But as we were walking the land and talking about it’s history, I was struck by the fact that understanding the history of the land, and the climate, and the types of grapes planted there, the age of the plants, and the quality of the production that comes from a particular area is just part of what I try and explain when I meet with a new client. Most of the folks I work with, even if they are ready to make a 3 or 4 million dollar investment, need some education about WHERE they purchase a vineyard in one part of Napa or Sonoma. When purchasing a land for a vineyard, or an existing home with a winery or vineyard as part of the deal – all of these things come to a point to determine the value. So, I want to introduce you to the “clouds” of the Howell Mountain Appellation.
The Howell Mountain AVA is blessed with regular, strong, “fogs” that look like the clouds are hanging on the Mountains. Overlooking the St. Helena, Howell Mountain is located in the Vaca Mountains on the northeast side of Napa Valley around the town of Angwin. Because of the vineyards are planted between 1,400 feet and 2,200 feet above the Napa Valley floor, they also benefit from the cool breezes from the Pacific Ocean. The moist air, cool mornings and warmer afternoons, and great drainage, make this a great location to grow grapes.
There are currently 45 Vineyards listed as part of the over 14,000 acres that make up the Howell Mountain Vitner’s and Growers Association. Howell Mountain was the first subappellation in Napa Valley to earn AVA status (in 1984). This area is well known for producing outstanding Zinfindels.
In the “boom” of California wine production of the 1880′s Jean Adolph Brun and Jean V. Chaix planted the first acres of vineyards in the mostly forested mountains. Pioneers, who traveled straight up the mountain roads, Brun, a native of Bordeaux, believed the poor volcanic soils and mountain climate would be ideal for growing vines.
He and his partner Jean Chaix planted 20 acres of Bordeaux varieties on the vineyard they named Nouveau Medoc, making wine that would win the first of many awards in the 19th century granted to Howell Mountain Like most of the Napa and Sonoma Valley AVA’s, the operation sold out to others and was closed during Prohibition. Ladera Vineyards purchased and renovated the winery, and now calls this historical land home.
Other award winning winegrowers who moved to the area were Charles Drug, W.A.C. Smith, Frederick Hess, and W.S. Keyes who started Liparita Vineyards and then built another stone winery, known as La Jota today. At the end of the decade, there were more than 600 acres of wine grapes planted.
A review from Food and Wine Magazine says:
Dunn Vineyards, with its powerful, tannic Cabernets, first brought attention to Howell Mountain in 1979. Beringer Vineyards is also a significant presence and renowned for its Bancroft Ranch Merlot and its three single-vineyard Howell Mountain Cabs. Other top Cabs include those of Cornerstone Cellars, Lokoya (which makes several mountain appellation wines), Robert Craig, O’Shaughnessy Estate and Howell Mountain Vineyards. Ladera Vineyards is a promising newcomer. The best Zins, brambly and elegant, come from Howell Mountain Vineyards, a partnership between the owners of Beatty Ranch and Black Sears Vineyard; the peppery Black Sears bottling is the star.
If you are considering a trip up the mountains to visit the vineyards in the Howell Mountain AVA, consider coming for the Harvest Celebration in November!
Many of my buyers are looking for vineyards that can create a great ROI. That means identifying properties in areas, like Howell Mountain AVA that have potential, great history, and yet are not branded. What are we doing to identify winery properties without brands and have the potential to produce $100/btl wines? We are networking throughout the Napa Valley to source potential wineries that may be for sale. These properties are not easy to find, so we ask for your patience. If you are interested in purchasing a Premium Winery in the Sonoma/Napa Region call Mark Stornetta.
In Glen Ellen, CA there is a beautiful Vineyard for sale at 2401 Nelligan Road – Nun’s Canyon Vineyard Glen Ellen, CA 95442 The vineyard is a large piece of land that totals over 134 acres! My friend Paul Spitler at V&E Properties has it listed, and asked me to go tour it with him. I love this part of Sonoma, and I think for the right owner, with the right ownership team, this could be a profitable vineyard.
114.1 acres are planted on this large 134.23 acre parcel, with high quality red grape varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot, Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, and Sangiovese.
The property has 3 wells, and two water storage tanks. According to Paul, the current seller might be interested in a Grape
I just did a quick snap shot of the Wineries and Vineyards for sale in the Sonoma and Napa Valley areas. My criteria were simple, I wanted to see the difference between Agricultural land listed in those areas WITH homes – and those WITHOUT homes listed. What I found supported what I already knew – in that the Sonoma Market is definetely seeing more Vineyard transactions, and more winery properties on the market than Napa Valley.
Understand that the MLS “Search” System is an inperfect science. Some of these properties are listed as Agricultural, but I can find no evidence that they actually grow grapes on them – agricultural properties, after all, could include ranches for farm animals.
Napa Valley Vineyard Property Available WITHOUT a Home:
By my calculations there are 17 pieces of Agricultural land available that might be suitable for grape growing. Napa itself has 9 of those listings ranging from 15 million dollars to $279K. Calistoga has 2 listings that appear to be suitable ranging from 3.5 million to $259K. St. Helena, one of the most active areas in Napa has 6 listings that might be suitable for vineyards, ranging from 6 million for 140 acres to $895K for 40 acres which, according to the notes, is not planted with vines.
Sonoma Valley Vineyard Property Available WITHOUT a Home:
By my rough estimates, Sonoma has 22 vineyard / Agricultural properties for sale with no homes on them. Glen Ellen has 1 listing at 1.25 million. Healdsburg has 7 listings starting at 12 million and going to $179K. Petaluma has 5 agriculture properties listed ranging from 2.625 million to $245K. Santa Rosa has 3 listings for vineyards from 1.9 million to $189k, and Sonoma itself has 6 vineyard possible listings ranging in price from 2.5 million to $195K. One of these tracts in Sonoma is actually four contiguous parcels for sale comprising 24.38 acres. So again, just looking at reports will not give you a total picture of what’s available.
Napa Valley Vineyards For Sale WITH Homes
Admittedly there are some gorgeous properties for sale right now. In Napa there are 44 properties showing in our MLS system with Vineyards and Homes for sale. Napa has 26 of those listings ranging from 8.5 million to $699k. This lowest priced property has a modest 2 bedroom home on an acre of land that is listed as Agriculture – but it does not appear to be planted.
Down the road in Calistoga there are 6 listings with vineyards for sale and homes ranging from 6.0 million to 1.495 million. This smallest listing has a 1480+/- Squarefoot 1 bedroom, 2.5 bath home with approximately 6 acres of vineyards and an olive grove.
St Helena has 12 listings with vineyards and homes ranging from the most expensive in the area at 24 million to 549K . The smallest of these listings is a 2 bedroom, 1 bath 1300 square feet home on a little over an acre. The 24,000,000 is located at 2900 Spring Mountain Road in St. Helena and has 42 acres, with a 12000 square foot home. The listing information indicates, “Seven acres of vines producing wines receiving 95 points from The Wine Advocate’s Robert Parker for four years in a row .” Celeste Woo with Pacific Union International is the listing agent for this property.
Sonoma Valley Vineyards For Sale WITH Homes
There are 70 Vineyards with Homes for sale, according to our MLS in the Sonoma Valley area this September. Glen Ellen shows 5 properties listed from 5.395 million dollars to 1.25 million. Healdsburg has a good variety of homes with vineyards at 13 ranging from 6.0 million to 499K. Kenwood has one listing of a vineyard with a home priced at 4.95 million. Petaluma has it’s fair share of these homes with 21 vineyard / Agricultural listings for sale ranging from 9 million to 499K. The smallest of these is a modest 3 bedrooms, 2 bath on 2.6 acres that the agent indicates in their notes has possibilities.
In Santa Rosa there are currently 17 listings with vineyards or agriculture ranging in price from 3.9 mill to 325K. The smallest of these listings appears to have a nice 3 bedrm 2 bath home on 5 un-planted acres.
Sonoma currently has 13 vineyard with homes listed from 9.25 million to 599K. Many of the people I’m talking to right now are paying cash, and looking for a home with a vineyard at a price at or near 2.0 million dollars. 3638 Lovall Valley Rd Sonoma, CA 95476 is currently listed by Kouros Tavakoli Decker Bullock Sotheby’s International Realty for 1.895 million. This property actually has 2 homes on nearly 11 acres ideally located off coveted Lovall Valley Road. Spectacular views of Marin and Sonoma hills. Main home is gated and recently remodeled. The main home offers 4 bedrooms with 2.5 Bathrooms, a sparkling pool, hot tub, and a fire pit. Might be perfect!
If you’d like to learn more about vineyards in Napa and wineries in Sonoma that are available, please call Mark Stornetta!
Thought it might be interesting to check on the Harvest news around the world and see how Wine Country is stacking up.
Virginia: Since Donald Trump purchased a vineyard in VA recently, it’s been getting a ton of publicity – unfortunately the early reports indicate that they’ve got some problems. Recent rains could be diluting the 2011 vintage of Virginia wines. Excessive rain can cause grapes to swell with water and dilute the juice used to make wine. Keswick Vineyards has had more than 12 inches of rain in the last week and a half.
New York: They’ve certainly had a “roller coaster” in 2011. They had an unusually wet spring which gave way for some parts of NY to arid conditions over the summer. Then, depending on where you were located, you got drenched by Tropical Storm Irene. 2010 was a great year for Vineyards in NY, and I’m sure for some, if not most, 2011 will be a good year too.
Oregon: The Oregon Wine Board surveyed a number of Oregon wine growers and found that vintners are optimistic about the 2011 vintage. They say the warm late summer days and the lack of precipitation over the last two months has buoyed their confidence. Growers say they’ve caught up from a late spring start and could have the largest yield since the early 2000′s. Harvest is expected to get under way in mid-October.
Italy: Heat at the end of August caused much of Italy to be forced to harvest early. The severe heat and drought in the second part of August, caused plant stress that greatly lowered yields. The Italians also pulled up of over 9000ha this year to reduce overall wine production. Because of the early harvest, and the reduced number of plants, the 2011 harvest is expected to be 10-25% down in terms of quantity.
‘The Italian 2011 Harvest will probably be at an all-time low’ in terms of quantity, according to harvest reports just released by UIV (Unione Italiana Vini) and ISMEA (Istituto di Servizi per il Mercato Agricolo Alimentare).
France: They have their own traditions and rules – which have not been followed this year. Traditionally, the associations of vintners in a wine region set an official start to the harvest with “la levée du ban des vendanges” or the end to the harvest ban, which has its traces in the Middle Ages. The ban allowed individual wine growers to benefit from the combined wisdom of a region in setting the harvest date, usually 100 days after the first flowering in the vineyards. For the past few years, it has not been upheld in all regions.
A dry spring, a wet start to summer, which has eased into more clement seasonal conditions and warm temperatures persuaded some vintners to start harvesting in late August, while others have bided their time, measuring grape maturity with modern science and old-fashioned chewing and tasting.
California: We are just beginning our harvest seasons here. Typically the Sparkling wines grapes are picked first, and then it progresses to the larger reds. 2011 is expected to be a Good Harvest for California, Napa Valley Wineries, and Sonoma Vineyards.
September is normally a big month in California because it marks the harvest season. The Gov. Brown proclaimed it Wine Month, and there are a ton of fun activities planned.
The main event for the California Wine Month will be in San Francisco on September 17th. This wine tasting will include all major wine regions of California. Tickets to the event are $45, and there are a limited number of tickets available. Over 100 local wines with artisinal cheeses and salamis will be available. You can also meet many of the winemakers and growers.
Later this month enjoy the 114th Harvest of the Moon Festival in Sonoma, September 23-25. Since 1897 the Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival has been celebrating the Sonoma Valley’s bounty, community, and local culture. California’s oldest festival, this Sonoma tradition takes place the last full weekend of September in downtown Sonoma’s historic Plaza. There’s a Parade, there’s a 5k race, there’s Grape stomping… and my favorite, the Firefighter’s Water Fight! Yes folks, we know how to live it up in Wine Country! Check out the Event Schedule here. The video is from last year’s event!
In Annapolis, a small town in Sonoma County there’s a wonderful small vineyard for sale. The property sits far enough back from the Coast to get tons of light, and it also benefits from the cooling effects of coastal fog. This property has a 3 acre Pinot Noir ridgetop vineyard with an 3 additional plantable acres just 4.5 miles from the Pacific Ocean.
The vineyard is planted on a 40 ac parcel, elevation 720′+/-, excellent fruit + vineyard designated wine. Planted in 2002 to clones 115, 828,777 & Pommard. The vines are planted in 4×6 ‘spacing. The property has 2 wells and it also works as a beautiful building site. Want to build your dream home in Wine Country? It could be the right income producing property for you! This property is a gem for the Burgundian wine producer.
Want to know more about how I value vineyards? I think it’s all about the Earnings before Interest and Taxes. I have a unique perspective about Vineyards like this, because my degree is in Agricultural Business, and I also served as CFO of Gundlach Bundschu, repositioning a prominent wine brand and expanding direct marketing and sales. In addition to this, my wife and her family own Leveroni Vineyards / Wine – so I’m reminded daily of what it takes to make great wine!
As discussed, each area within Wine Country has it’s own unique history, climate and vine history which makes it’s AVA different from the next. Because the US AVA rules require that at least 85% of the grapes contributing to the wine come from the listed AVA.
