The Howell Mountain has the unique distinction of being the first sub-AVA in the Napa Valley, and has long been a home to successful winemakers and renowned vineyard sites. Some of the more storied vineyard plots have been planted since before Prohibition, and are still producing noteworthy wines today. Approximately 600 acres of vineyards sit anywhere between 1400 and 2200 feet of elevation, well above the fog line and almost always in the sun. A wine tour and tasting on Howell Mountain includes beautiful wineries and some of the most sought after wines in the world, and with Beau Wine Tours creating your itinerary, it will be a day to remember.
ADAMVS
501 White Cottage Road North
Angwin, CA 94508
(707) 965-0555
http://www.adamvs.com/
At ADAMVS winery, there is a perfect convergence of geology, geography, biodynamics and experienced winemakers. The 28 acre vineyard on Howell Mountain is a rich tapestry of many elements working in harmony with nature to create a distinct wine full with deep and complex aromas. The red soil vineyard is planted on a hillside starting at 1500 feet above sea level. The Cabernet Sauvignon is expressive as the vineyards blocks are treated separately and handled with the latest innovations as well as a trained human touch. The approach to farming is filled with integrity and passion as every vine is touched a minimum of seven times per year to ensure finest crop every year. Organic and biodynamic philosophies are practiced to keep balance between the vineyards and the surrounding environment. A wine tasting here is a lesson in ultra-premium wine production.
O’Shaughnessy Estate Winery
1150 Friesen Dr
Angwin, CA 94508
707-965-3850
https://www.oshaughnessywinery.com/
The entirety of the O’Shaughnessy Estate is spread out amongst three vineyards, one on Mount Veeder another in Oakville and the Howell Mountain Vineyard where the winery is. The small berries are known to create intense flavors and a structure that is simultaneously robust and elegant. The pair of powerful mountain Cabernet Sauvignons are world class and show why wine grapes grown in higher elevations are so widely regarded. The wine cave was dug out of 11,000 feet of hillside behind the winery, allowing for optimum wine making capabilities. The entire winery flows harmoniously with the surrounding hilltop with stone and glass architecture that as stunning as the wine itself. A wine tour on Howell Mountain is not complete with a stop to O’Shaughnessy.
Arkenstone
335 West Lane
Angwin, CA 94508
(707) 965-1020
https://arkenstone.com/
Arkenstone sits on a 13 acre vineyard and is so high up and away on Howell Mountain that it was a wildlife oasis for bear, coyote and mountain lion. After the soils were tested, the true potential of the land became apparent and was planted to an exclusively organically operated vineyard. All the decisions on rootstock, clones and varietals were aimed at expressing the finest terroir Cabernet Sauvignon could grow in. The complex wines are full bodied and richly flavored but balanced and terroir driven. Arkenstone’s winemaking team is always learning more and applying new techniques to make better wine year after year. This mountain retreat still has its original charm but now is home to a great vineyard where visitors not only sip fantastic wines, but will be charmed by a natural beauty.
The Napa Valley has 16 appellations and nearly 500 wineries within them, and you can’t see them all in one day. But allow us to focus in on a few wineries, in one appellation, showcasing a specific region and what can make a wine tasting experience truly memorable. Private guided tours with a professional chauffeur can include a barrel tasting in the day and a dinner in Calistoga by night. The lush vineyards and exceptional wines of Howell Mountain and the surrounding towns are a perfect wine tour and tasting holiday in the upper reaches of the Napa Valley.
Sorry, comments are closed for this post.