St. Helena AVA
{{Short description|American Viticultural Area in California}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Infobox Wine Region
| name = St. Helena AVA
| image = St Helena napa cab.jpg
| caption = A Cabernet Sauvignon from St. Helena
| official name = St. Helena
| other name =
| type = American Viticultural Area
| wine years = {{years ago|1860}}
| country = United States
| part of = North Coast AVA, Napa Valley AVA
| similar = Atlas Peak AVA, Calistoga 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, Stags Leap District AVA, Wild Horse Valley AVA, Yountville AVA
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| total size = {{convert|9060|acre|sqmi|0}}{{cite journal | title = The St. Helena Viticultural Area (94F–015P)| journal = Federal Register | volume = 60 | issue = 175 | pages=47053–47061 | date=1995-09-11 | url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-1995-09-11/pdf/95-22486.pdf | format= 27 CFR Part 9 60 FR 47053 [T.D. ATF–366; RE: Notice No. 801] RIN 1512–AA07, Final rule | publisher= Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210331015758/https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-1995-09-11/pdf/95-22486.pdf |archive-date = 2021-03-31 |url-status=live}}{{PD-notice}}
| planted = {{convert|6800|acre|ha}}{{cite web |title=St. Helena AVA |url=https://www.napavalleylifemagazine.com/st-helena-ava/ |website=Napa Valley Life Magazine |format=Napa Valley’s Wine Epicenter|date=August 5, 2020}}
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| varietals = Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Petit Verdot
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St. Helena is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located within Napa Valley, centered in and around the town of St. Helena, California. It was established by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) on October 11, 1995, after the ATF received a petition from Mr. Charles A. Carpy, Chairman of the St. Helena Appellation Committee, proposing to establish a new viticultural area in Napa County to be known as "St. Helena."
Geography
The appellation covers {{convert|9060|acre|sqmi|0}} along the flat narrow land towards the northern end of the valley between the Vaca and Mayacamas Mountains. Its soil is mostly loam with good water retention and varying amounts of gravel.{{Cite book |last=Brook |first=Stephen |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dMzOHiz56hUC&dq=st+helena+ava&pg=PA67 |title=The Finest Wines of California: A Regional Guide to the Best Producers and Their Wines |date=2011-03-07 |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=978-0-520-26658-2 |pages=67 |language=en}}
= Climate =
The area has a Warm-summer Mediterranean climate,{{Cite web |date=2019-12-27 |title=St. Helena AVA — What Everyone Should Know |url=http://www.fredswan.wine/2019/12/26/st-helena-ava-what-everyone-should-know/ |access-date=2022-05-01 |website=FredSwan.wine |language=en-US}} and is somewhat hotter than nearby wine growing regions with summer temperatures that often reach the mid 90s Fahrenheit.{{Cite book |last1=Villano |first1=Matt |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iUyNtOYKMIwC&dq=st+helena+ava&pg=PA116 |title=California Wine Country |last2=Doerper |first2=John |last3=Wood |first3=Sharron S. |date=2011 |publisher=Compass American Guides|edition=6th |isbn=978-1-4000-0492-8 |pages=116 |language=en}} It receives approximately 40 inches of rainfall per year.
History
In 1860, George Belden Crane planted Mission vines in St. Helena, and the vineyard produced its first wine in 1862. By 1874, the vineyard had produced 500,000 gallons of wine annually. Charles Krug, one of the pioneers of Napa Valley winemaking, founded his winery in 1861 in the St. Helena district. Krug also established the St. Helena Viticultural Club in 1876.{{Cite book |last=Walker |first=Larry |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lQgYAwAAQBAJ&dq=st+helena+ava&pg=PT80 |title=The Wines of the Napa Valley |date=2005-03-17 |publisher=Octopus |isbn=978-1-84533-625-7 |language=en}}
On October 11, 1995, St. Helena AVA was established by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF). The AVA hosts more than 93 wineries with about {{convert|6800|acre|ha}} cultivated.
Viticulture
The region is known for its red wines, including Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Pinot Noir, although white wines are also produced there such as Chardonnay. Its terroir is particularly well suited to Bordeaux, particularly Sauvignon Blanc. St. Helena's Cabernet Sauvignon is noted for its quality.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://www.appellationsthelena.com/}}
- [https://www.ttb.gov/images/AVA/ TTB AVA Map]
{{coord |38.51489| -122.50899| format=dms |display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-CA_dim:27000}}
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Category:American Viticultural Areas of Napa Valley, California