Wild Horse Valley AVA

The Wild Horse Valley AVA is an American Viticultural Area whose borders overlap both Napa County and Solano County, California and is partially contained within the Napa Valley AVA. The appellation's southerly location results in more hours of sunshine than other locations in Napa Valley or nearby Green Valley. The proximity to San Pablo Bay results in a cooler climate, making Wild Horse Valley attractive for the cultivation of grapes like Pinot noir.[3]

Wild Horse Valley AVA
Wine region
TypeAmerican Viticultural Area
Year established1988[1]
CountryUnited States
Part ofNorth Coast AVA
Other regions in North Coast AVAList of North Coast AVAs
Soil conditionsvolcanic[2]
Total area3,300 acres (13 km2)[3]
Size of planted vineyards70 acres (0 km2)[3][4]
Varietals producedChardonnay, Pinot noir[5]
No. of wineries1[2]

Geography and climate

The Wild Horse Valley AVA features two distinct subregions. To the west, the area is cooled by San Pablo Bay, although the elevation keeps the area above the fogline. The eastern half, being protected by the slope of the ground, is much warmer. The soil type is generally volcanic throughout the entire AVA.[2]

History

Grapes were first planted in the area in the 1880s.[4] The current vineyard plantings date back to 1980, with commercial production starting in 1985.[5]

Wild Horse Vineyard

The largest vineyard in the Wild Horse Valley AVA was the Wild Horse Vineyard of Napa Valley.[6]

Neglected crops can become places for pests to become established and then spread. The European Grapevine Moth (EGVM) larvae feed on grapes, and was first found in Napa Valley in 2009. Since then, Napa Valley has spent nearly $60 million to eradicate the moth.[7]

The recent wildfires destroyed the Wild Horse Valley vineyards.

References
  1. "§ 9.124 Wild Horse Valley" (Title 27: Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; Part 9 — American Viticultural Areas; Subpart C — Approved American Viticultural Areas). Code of Federal Regulations. Retrieved October 31, 2007.
  2. "Wild Horse Valley". Calwineries. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
  3. "Wild Horse Valley (AVA): Appellation Profile". Appellation America. 2007. Archived from the original on October 8, 2008. Retrieved October 31, 2007.
  4. "History". Olivia Brion. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
  5. "Heron Lake Winery". Calwineries. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
  6. Goldfarb, Alan (5 October 2007). "The Siberia of the Napa Valley: Has Wild Horse Valley's Time Come?". Appellation America. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  7. Eberling, Barry (27 August 2015). "Napa poised to TKO the European grapevine moth". Napa Valley Register. Retrieved 9 November 2015.


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