Once a sleepy exit off of Highway 29, the Yountville AVA has changed dramatically in the past two decades. The climate in this region is warmer than in the south, but is still relatively cool by Napa Valley standards, producing very long-lived Cabernet Sauvignon.

The history of Yountville Wineries dates back over 150 years. In 1836, General Mariano Vallejo granted George Calvert Yount the 11,000 acre Rancho Caymus. It included much of the Valley floor between the modern day towns of Yountville and St Helena. Yountville’s terrain is quite consistent. Alluvial fans dominate the wine region’s soils, especially in the west, while eastern Yountville contains a bit of soil that has eroded down from the hills.

Yountville wineries have evolved with the town. Twenty years ago, there were very few wineries in the area. The development of premium Yountville Wineries (Dominus, Domaine Chandon) and restaurants (Bouchon, The French Laundry) is a microcosm of the many changes the Valley has experienced in recent years.

Yountville Wine is produced in a moderate, breezy climate. The most popular grape in the region is Cabernet Sauvignon. Merlot, Zinfandel and Syrah are also planted in Yountville, along with some cooler climate grapes like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. (Wine/Appellations)