Oakville AVA

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Oakville
Wine region
TTB Map Napa Valley AVA.png
Napa Valley AVAs
Type American Viticultural Area
Year established1993 [1]
CountryUnited States
Part of California, North Coast AVA, Napa County, Napa Valley AVA
Other regions in California, North Coast AVA, Napa County, Napa Valley AVA Atlas Peak AVA, Calistoga AVA, Chiles Valley AVA, Crystal Springs of Napa Valley AVA, Diamond Mountain District AVA, Howell Mountain AVA, Los Carneros AVA, Mt. Veeder AVA, Coombsville AVA, Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley AVA, Rutherford AVA, Spring Mountain District AVA, St. Helena AVA, Stags Leap District AVA, Wild Horse Valley AVA, Yountville AVA
Soil conditionswell-drained gravel
Total area5,700 acres (9 sq mi) [2]
Size of planted vineyards5,000 acres (2,023 ha) [2]
Grapes produced Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay

Oakville is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in Napa County, California within the Napa Valley viticultural area centered around the town of Oakville. The wine appellation was established on July 2, 1993 as the nation's 122nd, the state's 70th and county's eighth AVA [3] by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by the Rutherford and Oakville Appellation Committee, on behalf of local vineyard and winery operators, proposing a viticultural area in Napa County to be known as "Oakville." [4]

Contents

The Rutherford and Oakville Appellation Committee was composed of seven wineries and seven grape growers in the areas who petitioned both to be established which ATF ruled on the same day. The appellation extends over a flat expanse of well-drained gravel soil between the Vaca and Mayacamas Mountains. Oakville AVA is known for its success with Bordeaux varietals, which have produced wines of rich texture, firm tannins, and notes of mint and herbs. [2] The plant hardiness zone range is 9a to 9b. [5]

Geography and climate

The soil of the Oakville AVA is the result of sedimentary deposits from the hills that form Napa Valley. The soil is gravelly and sandy, with exceptionally good drainage. The portion of the AVA between State Route 29 and the Silverado Trail is a mix of clay and well-drained sandy loam. [6] Oakville AVA has a warm climate well-suited to wine grape production. Wind and fog arriving from San Pablo Bay can affect the morning and evening hours, but their effects are limited by the intervening Yountville Mounts. [7]

History

H. W. Crabb planted the first vineyard here in 1868, on 240 acres (97 ha) of land close to the Napa River that he named To Kalon , Greek for "most beautiful". By 1877, Crabb had planted 130 acres (53 ha) and was producing 50,000 U.S. gallons (190,000 liters) of wine per year. By 1880, his vineyard had increased to 430 acres (174 ha). The historic To Kalon Vineyard, owned by the Robert Mondavi Winery, Andy Beckstoffer and four other owners, is still producing grapes today. [8]

In 1903, the United States Department of Agriculture established an experimental vineyard station in Oakville. Known as "Oakville Station", the vineyard is operated by the University of California at Davis. [9]

To-Kalon Vineyard, Robert Mondavi Winery Robert Mondavi winery.jpg
To-Kalon Vineyard, Robert Mondavi Winery

Wineries

There are over 50 wineries located within, or source their grapes from vineyards in, the Oakville AVA. [10] Many are small, boutique wineries (like Harlan Estate, Screaming Eagle and Spoto Wines) with limited production. [11]

References

  1. ↑ "The Oakville Viticultural Area (89F-92P)" (27 CFR Part 9 [T.D. ATF-343; RE: Notice Nos. 728,738 and 756] RIN 1512-AA07 Final Rule). Federal Register . 58 (126). Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury: 35877–35884. July 2, 1993.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. 1 2 3 "Oakville (AVA): Appellation Profile". Appellation America. 2014. Archived from the original on April 7, 2016. Retrieved September 15, 2014.
  3. ↑ "List of AVAs by Establishment Date". TTB.gov. 2024. Archived from the original on February 5, 2025. Retrieved October 20, 2025.
  4. ↑ "Petition to Establish the Viticultural Areas of Rutherford and Oakville". TTB.gov. Rutherford and Oakville Appellation Committee. December 4, 1992.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  5. ↑ "Oakville - American Viticultural Area (AVA)". Plantmaps.com. United States Department of Agriculture. 2023. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
  6. ↑ "Oakville Climate & Cabernet Sauvignon Production". Calwineries. 2007. Retrieved October 29, 2007.
  7. ↑ "Oakville AVA Bench, Soil and Terrain". Calwineries. 2007. Retrieved October 29, 2007.
  8. ↑ Stamp, Matt (September 7, 2015). "The True Story of To-Kalon Vineyard". Guild Somm. Guild of Master Sommeliers. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  9. ↑ "Exceptional Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon". Oakville Winegrowers. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
  10. ↑ "Oakville Winegrowers Members". 2007. Archived from the original on April 29, 2015.
  11. ↑ "Wineries of Oakville". Calwineries. 2007. Retrieved October 29, 2007.

38°26′18″N122°24′09″W / 38.4384007°N 122.402468°W / 38.4384007; -122.402468

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