Spring Mountain AVA
We’re heading off to one of the lesser known AVA’s this month, Spring Mountain. Unlike the other mountainous AVA’s we’ve come across so far, Spring Mountain refers to a group of mountains as opposed to a single peak. And the name itself stems from the numerous natural springs interspersed throughout the region. It’s located in the lower Mayacamas Mountains, and has been producing wine since the Civil War Era!
History
Spring Mountain got its start in 1874 when German immigrant Charles Lemme planted 25 acres of grapes. Those acres became La Perla Vineyard. Less than ten years later Jacob and Frederick Beringer began planting here as well-a name you probably recognize.
In the 1890’s San Francisco banker Tiburcio Parrott showed up and declared that he would be producing world class wines from the rocky sparse soil. He was met with scoffs and skepticism. He built a Victorian-style home and established Miravalle Vineyard. The skeptics hushed up rather quickly after he won a Gold Medal at the World Fair in 1893. Miravalle is now a part of Spring Mountain Vineyard-***MORE ON THEM NEXT WEEK***!
In 1946 after Prohibition had ended, Fred and Eleanor McCrea began a small Vineyard that expanded 7 years later with Stony Hill Winery. Spring Mountain began to thrive after that, especially in the 1970’s when talented winemakers started establishing themselves and their talents in the area. Ritchie Creek, Yverdon, and Robert Keenan are some of the wineries that came to be during this time.
The AVA was established in 1993, and its history is rich and important to Napa. I would say it deserves more recognition than it gets.
Climate and Soil
Spring Mountain is only 30 miles from the Pacific Ocean, therefore making it very cool and wet. There’s a low pressure gap that pulls cool moist air directly into Spring Mountains path. Even in the summer months you’ll see waterfalls of fog drifting into the area.
The soil here is deeper than most of the AVA’s we’ve studied so far, and not as rocky. That’s because it’s closer to the side of the mountain and not right on top. It’s still much shallower than the soil in the valley though. It’s a mixture of sedimentary rocks such as sandstone, and the volcanic rock that we’ve seen so much of in our travels so far.
Grapes
Cabernet is prevalent here, as it is in so much of Napa, but Cab Franc, Merlot, Zinfandel and Chardonnay also do well here. The Chardonnay pleases me because I’m one of few people I know who prefer white wine to red. For those of you who are like-minded, and even if you’re not, definitely try some Riesling from Smith-Madrone or Stony Hill Winery when you explore the Spring Mountain AVA! - Lea Gourley
