7/14/2023 0 Comments Mount veeer roadZinfandel, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and the Rhône varieties Syrah and Viognier have also produced some excellent wines from the AVA. Most Mount Veeder reds, irrespective of their varietal make-up, tend towards a concentrated, fruit-driven character. These are made from more than the much-prized Cabernet Sauvignon – its Bordeaux stablemate Merlot is also represented and even Cabernet Franc and Malbec have a respectable presence here. Therefore, only small pockets of Mount Veeder's total area are planted to vine.ĭespite this, there are now approximately 50 wineries and growers producing wine in Mount Veeder. This is difficult terrain for farming and manual labor is often required. Average yields of Cabernet Sauvignon here are approximately half the average of what vignerons harvest in Napa Valley. This causes the vines to produce low yields of highly concentrated grapes. These soils and the steep slopes they are planted on drain freely, providing a terroir where the vine must struggle for survival. The vineyards in Mount Veeder are planted on the rocky, clay-rich remnants of an ancient seabed that was pushed up into mountains by tectonic movement. The moderated climate is thought to contribute fresh acidity and fine tannins to Mount Veeder wines, while the longer growing season means that this is never at the expense of ripeness. Mount Veeder is far enough south to still feel the effects of nearby San Pablo Bay, although its higher elevation means it is not so cool as Carneros to the south. Here, warm days accompanied by brisk afternoon winds result in moderate overall temperatures and a long growing season. Mount Veeder's elevated, sun-drenched terroir has proved well suited to making high-quality wines, even if its rugged hillsides have proved difficult for viticulture. The appellation's highest vineyards lie on a southwest-facing slope just below the summit, and stretch up to 2,550 feet (770 meters) above sea level. The eponymous Mount Veeder peak is 2,700 feet (825 meters) high, and marks the boundary between Napa and Sonoma counties. Vines on Mount Veeder | ©Mount Veeder WineryĬarneros and Napa town lie just to the southeast of the AVA, and Oak Knoll District and Yountville are on Mount Veeder's western border.
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