Calistoga AVA
{{Short description|Designated wine grape-growing region in the United States}}
{{Infobox wine region
| name = Calistoga
| image = Chateau Montelena vines.jpg
| caption = Vines at Chateau Montelena in Calistoga
| official name =
| other name =
| type = American Viticultural Area
| country = United States
| part of = Napa Valley AVA
| similar = Atlas Peak AVA, Chiles Valley AVA, Diamond Mountain District AVA, Howell Mountain AVA, Los Carneros AVA, Mt. Veeder AVA, Coombsville AVA, Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley AVA, Oakville AVA, Rutherford AVA, Spring Mountain District AVA, St. Helena AVA, Stags Leap District AVA, Wild Horse Valley AVA, Yountville AVA
| season =
| precipitation = {{convert|38|in|cm}} to {{convert|60|in|cm}} annually
| soil =
| total size = approximately {{convert|7|mi2|km2|0}}{{cite web|last=SteveLay|title=Newest AVA-Do you buy wines based upon an AVA?-Calistoga AVA|url=http://www.imageofwine.com/all-things-wine/newest-ava-do-you-buy-wines-based-upon-an-ava-calistoga-ava|accessdate=24 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326015242/http://www.imageofwine.com/all-things-wine/newest-ava-do-you-buy-wines-based-upon-an-ava-calistoga-ava|archive-date=26 March 2012|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}
| vineyards =
| grapes =
| varietals = Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Zinfandel, Cabernet Franc{{cite web|title=Napa Valley Appellations and Wine Growing Regions|url=http://www.napavintners.com/about/ab_3_appell.aspx|publisher=Napa Valley Vintners|accessdate=24 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110624020421/http://www.napavintners.com/about/ab_3_appell.aspx#|archive-date=2011-06-24|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}
| designation =
}}
Calistoga is an American Viticultural Area located in the northern portion of California's Napa Valley AVA. The appellation is distinguished by its volcanic soil, high temperatures up to {{convert|100|F|C}} during the day, and cool nights during the growing season due to breezes from the Russian River, causing the highest diurnal temperature variation in the Napa Valley—up to {{convert|50|F-change|C-change}}.
Geography and Climate
Despite sharing a name, the Calistoga AVA does not encompass the entirety of the town of Calistoga. The area is noted for its topographical diversity and uniform geology, with bedrock almost exclusively made through volcanic action. The hot days provide color and flavor in the wines, while the cool nights help to maintain acidity and structure
The appellation abuts the Diamond Mountain District AVA to the south and west, the Saint Helena AVA to the southeast, and the Howell Mountain AVA is a short way to the east.
History
The name Calistoga dates back to 1857, with the first vine plantings in 1862. Viticultural and winery census data from 1880 list Calistoga as a distinct region separate from Napa.{{cite book|last=Sullivan|first=Charles L|title=Napa Wine: A History from Mission Days to Present|year=1994|publisher=Wine Appreciation Guild|isbn=978-0-932664-70-9|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/napawinehistoryf0000sull}} The appellation was proposed in 2003 by Bo Barrett petitioning for separate AVA status, with final approval coming through in 2009, effective 2010.
=Controversy=
When the appellation was proposed, two wineries (Calistoga Cellars and Calistoga Estate) fought against the proposal, as under U.S. wine law they would either have to use 85% grapes from the new AVA (neither did at the time) or change their brand names.{{cite web|last=Gordon|first=Jim|title=Contested Calistoga AVA Approved|url=http://www.winesandvines.com/template.cfm?section=news&content=69610|publisher=Wines & Vines|date=2009-12-03|accessdate=24 June 2011|df=mdy-all}} Several compromises were proposed, and ultimately rejected, before the AVA was approved. During the process, the Tax and Trade Bureau, the federal body in charge of AVA designations, paused the process of all AVA proposals due to the need to redefine regulations.{{cite web|last=Goldfarb|first=Alan|title=The Big Freeze: Money and Politics Stop AVA Petitions in Their Tracks|url=http://wine.appellationamerica.com/wine-review/453/AVA-Petitions-Suspended.html|publisher=Appellation America|accessdate=24 June 2011|date=9 August 2007|df=mdy-all}}
Ultimately, the wineries using the Calistoga name were given three years to come in compliance with the appellation rules or discontinue using the name.{{cite news|last=Quackenbush|first=Jeff|title='Grandfathered' date still issue for Calistoga AVA|url=http://www.northbaybusinessjournal.com/16849/grandfathered-date-still-issue-for-calistoga-ava/|accessdate=24 June 2011|newspaper=North Bay Business Journal|date=14 Dec 2009|df=mdy-all}}
See also
{{Portal|San Francisco Bay Area}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Calistoga Ava}}
Category:American Viticultural Areas of Napa Valley, California