The Influence of Weather
In order to grow the highest quality wine grapes possible, we start
by planting the right grape in the right place. Since the grapes that
we work with at Chateau Montelena do not all have the same requirements,
we have selected vineyard sources throughout the Napa Valley that have
perfect conditions for growing each of those grapes according to our
style and philosophy. One of the most influential determining factors
in this selection process is weather.
Calistoga District
Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Montelena Estate Zinfandel
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The Calistoga district is the Northern Terminus of the Valley where
the Vaca and Mayacamas ranges that form the eastern and western boundaries
of the valley converge at Mount St Helena. The northern end of the valley
has higher daytime temperatures than the southern end, where cooling
breezes wash up from San Pablo Bay, making the Calistoga district an
ideal environment for producing powerful red wines. The valley becomes
very narrow as it approaches Calistoga and the interplay of air movements
from these mountain ridges creates a variety of mesoclimates. Our Napa
Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, produced from grapes grown in several sites
within Calistoga, represents the district’s diversity while our
Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel express the distinctive
qualities of the Montelena Estate vineyard, a single site within the
district.
Located at the northern tip of the Calistoga district, the Montelena
Estate vineyard boasts a unique mesoclimate. Because the vineyard is
positioned right at the foot of Mount Saint Helena, the highest
point of elevation in the Napa Valley, the cold air from the mountain’s
peak washes down into the vineyard at night. During the growing and
ripening months temperatures can be 95° F during the day and 45°
F at night. This 50-degree daily temperature swing creates red wines
that are rich and powerful, yet elegant and long-lived. The heat of
the day allows the grapes to ripen and develop complex flavors, while
the cooling night air maintains the higher-acid, lower-pH levels critical
to a balanced wine.
Oak Knoll District
Napa Valley Chardonnay
We grow our Chardonnay grapes in a climate most suitable for that
grape variety. The dramatic temperature fluctuations in our Estate vineyard
would produce wines that are too strong for the style of Chardonnay
that we like to make. For this reason, our Chardonnay grapes are grown
in three contiguous vineyards at the southern end of the valley, known
as the Oak Knoll District, midway between the towns of Napa and Yountville.
Here the influence of the bay keeps the climate moderate, warmer than
the Carneros region but cooler than areas upvalley. This provides the
ideal temperature range for producing Chardonnay grapes with the perfect
balance of sugar and acid levels to allow minimal cellar manipulation.
The result is a Chardonnay characterized by elegance, balance, delicate
fruit flavors and a crisp, persistent finish, the hallmarks of Chateau
Montelena Chardonnay.
Vintage Weather Summaries
Seasonal Weather Updates |
