Napa Valley Wine

Napa Valley has quickly become one of the world’s hubs for winemaking, cementing a status among giants France, Spain, and Italy as the industry’s most respected and sought-after wines. Beginning with the 1976 Judgement of Paris, Napa wines gained a cult following, with innovative techniques, top-class marketing, and unique individuals demanding high prices and even higher acclaim for the legendary bottles. As the region hits 50 years at the peak of fine wine, Napa estates continue to grow in number and prestige.

Napa Valley Wine History

Dating back to the 19th century, Napa’s wine industry began with the legendary George Yount who received a land grant from the newly formed Mexican government. As many Americans immigrated to the newly acquired Golden State, more wineries popped up in the region, with Napa’s first commercial winery opening in 1861. The Charles Krug Winery is still in operation today and its early success ignited a chain reaction of multiple wineries to open before the start of the 20th century.

Unfortunately for these winemakers, this positive momentum was quickly damaged. The Phylloxera outbreak in the late 1800s tarnished nearly all the region’s vines, resulting in huge monetary losses for Napa wineries. Then, in 1920, the United States government passed the 18th Amendment, more popularly known as Prohibition. With this, Napa’s entire wine infrastructure crumbled and was left bare until two revolutionaries reversed the region’s fortunes.

Andre Tchlistcheff, a Russian immigrant working in France arrived in Napa Valley in 1938, eager to make an imprint on the unpolished land. He began helping Beaulieu Vineyards (BV) under the helm of the legendary Georges de influential Latour. Bringing a wealth of knowledge from French winemaking to Napa, Tchlistcheff understood the potential of the region’s terroir and aimed to express it to the highest quality. He introduced cultivation and pruning to the vineyards, along with other Bordeaux-based processes that were unseen in Napa.

Another legendary figure who laid the groundwork for Napa’s future success was Robert Mondavi, part winemaker, part businessman. Mondavi’s parents immigrated from Italy to the United States, raising Robert and his brother, Peter. As a family, the unit operated a fruit-packing business which allowed them to acquire the famed Charles Krug Winery in 1943. 20 years later, Robert branched out, opening his own winery, the Robert Mondavi Winery, after a very public feud with his brother.

The success of his eponymous estate helped Mondavi to successfully market Napa Valley as a wine hub in the United States, bringing more visibility to the region. Additionally, his decision to use varietal labeling over regional labeling proved to be important, as it gave Napa winemakers a distinction from European competitors and highlighted the grape(s) over a particular region. Ultimately, Mondavi later partnered with Bordeaux legend Baron Philippe de Rothschild to create Opus One, an iconic Napa estate that still shines to this day.

What is the Best Wine from Napa Valley?

Napa Valley is renowned for its collection of world-class wineries, some of which have elevated to their own “Napa cult” status- indicating exclusivity, remarkable quality, and a devoted following. Propping up in the mid-1990s, Napa cult wineries became the benchmark against which all other Napa estates are judged. Notable for impeccable Cabernet wines, cult wineries changed winemaking techniques, vineyard operations, and marketing tactics. By releasing limited qualities, these wines gained an aura of exclusivity, forcing consumers to pay premium prices to taste the very best of the region. There was simply no other choice than to get your hands on the rare and limited bottles.

The exclusive nature of the bottles was heightened by high critic scores, as renowned publications like Robert Parker’s 'The Wine Advocate' and Wine Spectator regularly handed out perfect scores and ratings in the high 90s to Napa cult wines. With so much fervor around the wine even before its release, Napa cult winemakers gained years-long waitlists and set the perfect balance between price and product.

Some of Napa’s top wineries that gained cult status include but are not limited to, Screaming Eagle, Harlan Estate, Scarecrow Wines, and Opus One. These estates and more have revolutionized Napa wines and dazzled enthusiasts with their complexity, richness, and depth.

Best Napa Valley White Wines

While Cabernet and other red varietals dominate Napa’s industry, top white wines are regularly produced in the region, with these estates standing out for their unique production. Routinely marked as the beginning of Napa’s rise, Chateau Montelena’s momentous ranking in the 1976 Judgement of Paris over esteemed Burgundy and Bordeaux estates brought the first wave of fervor to Napa white wines. Placing first in the white wine category with its 1973 vintage, Montelena’s reputation stands as Napa’s original white wine masterpiece, continuing to craft beautiful Chardonnay wins at limited production.

Arguably Napa’s top white wine producer is Kongsgaard’s ‘The Judge,’ gaining mass acclaim from critics like Robert Parker who labeled the wine as “California’s Greatest Chardonnay.” With its first vintage released in 1996, Kongsgaard has spent the past 30 years creating big, complex, sensational Chardonnay, receiving high scores with tried-and-true winemaking techniques. As the benchmark for Napa white wines, Kongsgaard is a must-have for any Napa collector.

Napa Valley Terroir

Nestled between the Vaca Mountain range to the east and the Mayacamas Mountains to the west, Napa’s terroir is characterized by warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The mountains provide protection from harsh weather conditions and give Napa winemakers diversity in choice. Whether mountain-grown or on the valley floor, Napa vineyards are located on soil types like volcanic, alluvial, sedimentary, and marine deposits. Mixed with the cool nights and warm days, all varietals retain acidity and balance to express vibrant flavors unseen in any other part of the world.

How Many AVAs are in Napa Valley?

Napa Valley was the first appellation to earn an American Viticultural Appellation (AVA) designation in 1981. Within Napa lies 16 sub-appellations that have also earned an AVA designation, denoting their diverse microclimates and terrains. Of the 16 AVAs, some of the most notable include:

• Oakville
• Rutherford
• St. Helena
• Howell Mountain
• Mount Veeder
• Stags Leap
• Yountville

How Many Wineries Are in Napa Valley?

Today, Napa Valley lays host to more than 500 wineries, 95% of which are family-owned and a further 80% of which produce less than 100,000 cases each year. Furthermore, the region produces a staggering 4% of California’s wine and contains 27.5% of the state’s winery permits, illustrating Napa’s importance in the US wine industry and its exponential growth. 

Top Napa Valley Wines from Grand Cru Liquid Assets

Our Napa Valley wine collection contains over 250 bottles from the region's top producers, expertly sourced and secured to bring you maximum drinking pleasure. From industry icons like Harlan Estate and Opus One to regional stalwarts like Heitz Cellars, the Grand Cru Liquid Assets team provides perfect packaging the best in class with safe packaging, white-glove service, and expert knowledge. Add some bottles of Napa's finest red and white wines to your collection today.