Wild Horse Valley AVA

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Wild Horse Valley
Wine region
TTB Map Napa Valley AVA.png
Type American Viticultural Area
Year established1988 [1]
Years of wine industry144 [1]
CountryUnited States
Part of California, North Coast AVA, Napa County, Solano County, Napa Valley AVA
Climate region Region I [1]
Heat units less than 2,500 GDD units [1]
Soil conditionsHambright, Toomes, Gilroy, Coombs, Sobrante and Trimmer loams [1]
Total area3,300 acres (5.2 sq mi) [1]
Size of planted vineyards73 acres (30 ha) [1] [2]
No. of vineyards1 [3]
Grapes produced Chardonnay, Pinot noir [4] [5]
No. of wineries1 [3]

Wild Horse Valley is an American Viticultural Area whose borders overlap both Napa and Solano Counties, California and is partially contained within the Napa Valley AVA. It was established on November 30, 1988 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by John Newmeyer of Napa and four other interested persons proposing the establishment of the viticultural area named "Wild Horse Valley." [6] [7] 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. [8]

Contents

Geography and climate

Wild Horse Valley AVA features two distinct sub-regions. 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. [5]

History

Grapes were first planted in the area in the 1881. [1] The current vineyard plantings date back to 1980, with commercial production starting in 1985. [9]

Wild Horse Vineyard

The largest vineyard in the Wild Horse Valley AVA was the Wild Horse Vineyard of Napa Valley. [10]
The recent wildfires destroyed the Wild Horse Valley vineyards.[ citation needed ]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Wild Horse Valley Viticultural Area; California" (27 CFR 9 [T.D. ATF-278; Ref: Notices No. 639, 650] Final Rule). Federal Register . 53 (230). Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury: 48244–48248. November 30, 1988.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. ↑ "History". Olivia Brion. Retrieved June 25, 2011.
  3. 1 2 "Wild Horse Valley". Wine Folly. Retrieved March 11, 2025.
  4. ↑ "Wild Horse Valley (AVA): Appellation Profile". Appellation America. 2007.
  5. 1 2 "Heron Lake Winery". Calwineries. Archived from the original on September 26, 2023. Retrieved June 25, 2011.
  6. ↑ Newmeyer, John (December 30, 1986). "Petition to Establish of Wild Horse Valley Viticultural Area". TTB.gov.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  7. ↑ Brown, Linda G. (December 20, 2020). "Wild Horse Valley AVA". Napa Valley Life. Retrieved March 11, 2025.
  8. ↑ "Wild Horse Valley Viticultural Area; California" (27 CFR 9 [Notice No. 639] Proposed Rules). Federal Register . 52 (179). Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury: 34924–34927. September 16, 1987.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  9. ↑ "Heron Lake Winery". Calwineries. Archived from the original on December 5, 2023.
  10. ↑ Goldfarb, Alan (October 5, 2007). "The Siberia of the Napa Valley: Has Wild Horse Valley's Time Come?". Appellation America. Archived from the original on October 3, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2015.

38°20′36″N122°12′05″W / 38.34331049°N 122.20135817°W / 38.34331049; -122.20135817

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