For this week’s AVA we’re going off the beaten track to Howell Mountain. If you’re partial to the big, bold, rich, lush Cabernets, this is a region you’ll want to check out. The road itself to Howell Mountain is an unexpected treat-instead of the rolling hills of grapevines that make up most of Napa, you’ll find random thickets of trees. If you’re not looking for it, you might miss it. A hidden gem within a hidden gem…
Howell Mountain AVA History
Howell Mountain is named after John Howell, a blacksmith from St. Helena.
Way back in the 1870’s two guys, Jean V. Chaix and Adolf Brun planted some grapes on the very affordable land of Howell Mountain. Their industrious investment paid off in 1889, when they won a bronze medal at the Paris World Competition with their “Nouveau Medoc”. After that they were off and running, producing up to 750,000 bottles a year.
La Jota Vineyard Company was the first winery on Howell Mountain, established in 1898. If you want to feel like a time traveler for a few hours, go visit La Jota. Not much has changed here since Frederick Hess, an immigrant from Switzerland, built his stone winery from volcanic ash from the property. His first fermentation tanks came from the property as well, in the form of glorious coastal redwoods.
In 1983 Randy Dunn, along with WH Smith, Mike Beatty, Bob Brakesman, and Mike Lamborn helped to establish Howell Mountain AVA, the first sub-AVA of Napa Valley.
Howell Mountain Climate & Soil
It’s the weather that makes these grapes so special. The locals call it “Above the Fog”. The days are cool, the evenings are warm, and they get way more rain than most of Napa. These extreme temperatures produce thicker skinned grapes with deep colors and lots of tannins, thereby producing big, bold, rich wines that you’ll recall the feel of in your mouth for days to come.
Howell Mountain resides within the Vaca Mountain Range, which was formed by volcanos. So the soil here is volcanic-rocky and porous. The elevation reaches as high as 2200 ft.
Howell Mountain Grapes
Howell Mountain definitely has a following. Some of the biggest cabernets in Napa come from here. Because it’s not super easy to get there it’s a bit of a secret, but one worth seeking out. Make an appointment before you go, and plan for some extra driving time. It’ll be worth it. Have I mentioned their huge, rich, mouth-filling Cabernets? They also produce notable Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, and Merlot.
So take a break from the Valley Floor and climb Howell Mountain for a day. You won’t regret it!
- Lea Gourley
