Napa Valley Wine Guide
Experience Napa Valley, California's premier wine destination. Learn about world-class Cabernet Sauvignon, innovative winemaking, and the region that put American wine on the map.
Key Grapes
Climate
Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters, influenced by morning fog from San Pablo Bay
Notable Wines
- Opus One
- Screaming Eagle
- Caymus
- Silver Oak
Highlights
- Over 400 wineries in just 30 miles
- 16 distinct AVAs (American Viticultural Areas)
- Famous for cult Cabernet Sauvignon wines
- Pioneer of American fine winemaking since 1966
America’s Wine Country
Napa Valley stands as America’s most celebrated wine region, a narrow 30-mile valley producing wines that compete with the best in the world. The 1976 Judgment of Paris forever changed perceptions when Napa wines beat French classics in a blind tasting.
Napa’s Signature Wines
Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Cabernet defines American luxury wine. Rich, powerful, and age-worthy, these wines feature dark fruit, cassis, and often distinctive notes of herbs and mint from the mountain vineyards.
Chardonnay
Napa Chardonnay ranges from crisp and mineral-driven to rich and buttery, depending on oak treatment and vineyard location.
Understanding Napa AVAs
Napa contains 16 distinct sub-regions (AVAs), each with unique characteristics:
- Oakville & Rutherford: Classic valley floor Cabernet with legendary “Rutherford dust”
- Stags Leap District: Elegant, structured Cabernets
- Howell Mountain: Powerful mountain wines
- Carneros: Cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
Wine Tourism in Napa
Napa pioneered American wine tourism, with over 400 wineries offering tastings, tours, and world-class dining experiences. The region attracts millions of visitors annually.
Explore Napa with Sommo
Use Sommo to identify and learn about Napa wines. Scan labels to discover producer stories, vintage information, and find similar wines to explore.
