Chiles Valley AVA

The Chiles Valley AVA is an American Viticultural Area located within Napa Valley AVA, in Napa County, California.

Chiles Valley AVA
Wine region
TypeAmerican Viticultural Area
Year established1999[1]
CountryUnited States
Part ofNapa Valley AVA
Other regions in Napa Valley AVAAtlas Peak AVA, Calistoga AVA, Diamond Mountain District AVA, Howell Mountain AVA, Los Carneros AVA, Coombsville AVA, Mt. Veeder AVA, Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley AVA, Oakville AVA, Rutherford AVA, Spring Mountain District AVA, St. Helena AVA, Stags Leap District AVA, Wild Horse Valley AVA, Yountville AVA
Sub-regionsVaca Mountains
Total area6,000 acres (24 km2)[2]
Size of planted vineyards1,000 acres (4 km2)[2]
Varietals producedCabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Sauvignon blanc, Semillon, Zinfandel

The Chiles Valley is nestled in the Vaca Mountains above the northeast side of the Napa Valley. The appellation has a cooler climate than the main Napa Valley floor due to elevations of 600–1200 feet as well as a cooling breeze from the Pacific Ocean. The most planted grapes in Chiles Valley are Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon blanc.

History

Chiles Valley was named after Joseph Ballinger Chiles, who received the Rancho Catacula Mexican land grant in the 1841.[2] The area was historically a local source for tin, which was mined by residents in the area as of the 1881. Gypsum has also been found in the southern end of the valley.[3]

In August 2020, Chiles Valley was evacuated due to the Hennessey Fire, which resulted in the burning of over 315,000 acres (127,476 ha) in five counties, including in Chiles Valley.[4]

References
  1. "§ 9.154 Chiles Valley" (Title 27: Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; Part 9 — American Viticultural Areas; Subpart C — Approved American Viticultural Areas). Code of Federal Regulations. Retrieved October 30, 2007.
  2. "Chiles Valley (AVA): Appellation Description". Appellation America. 2007. Archived from the original on 2008-05-16. Retrieved October 30, 2007.
  3. Palmer, Lyman L.; Wells, Harry Laurenz (1854-1940) (August 26, 2016). History of Napa and Lake Counties, California. Slocum, Bowen & Company. pp. 28–29.
  4. "Hennessey Fire Information". CAL FIRE. Retrieved 17 August 2020.


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.