Napa Valley’s Oak Knoll District Is Thriving
With experience comes wisdom and this was the case for winemakers in the Napa Valley during the early decades of winemaking. Common practice in the beginning was to plant grapes in a patchwork pattern mixing many varieties. However, as time passed it became clear that matching grapes with locations whose soils and climates were best suited to the grape variety was best. As winemakers made there way around the valley they discovered regions that possessed distinct terrains and microclimates, therefore making notable characteristics in the grapes grown within them. These areas are known as appellations.
Napa Valley is home to 16 sub-appellations. Napa Valley itself is an American Viticultural Areas (AVA). It is highly regarded to become an AVA. The decision is made by the Government who reviews data received for a proposed AVA and decides whether the designation is granted. Napa Valley is California’s first recognized AVA, and the second in the United States, receiving its American Viticultural Areas “AVA” designation in 1981.
One of Napa Valley’s sub-appellations is the Oak Knoll District. In 1850 Captain J.W. Osborne’s purchased land three miles south of Yountville and named the area Oak Knoll. His 1,600 acre farm was the first in the region to be planted with premium vinifera varieties, rather than the more common Mission grape, and as a result the farm was ranked Best in California by the State Horticultural Society, and his fifty acre vineyard was the largest and arguably most prestigious in Napa Valley. Despite this success Oak Knoll did not receive its official recognition as an AVA until April 26th, 2014.
“This past decade has really brought the esteem of Oak Knoll District’s vineyards and wine front and center,” said Oak Knoll District Association board president John Wilkinson, of Wilkinson Family Vineyards.
The climate is cooler than the upper valley, yet warmer than windswept Carneros to the south. The area is considered a sweet spot for both Bordeaux varieties like Cabernet and cooler climate grapes like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Warmer, drier winters and cooler growing seasons with more morning and evening fog provide for a long growing season. Winemakers prize this winning combination as it allows for bright fruit flavors with excellent, balanced acidity and structure. The winning Chardonnays from the Judgment of Paris and the Gault Millau World Wine Olympics were sourced from the Oak Knoll District and these grapes have a long reputation for their elegant style.
We at Mira Winery are proud to source our Chardonnay from the Oak Knoll District. Planted in 1997 by Larry Hyde, the Las Trancas Vineyard, where Mira Chardonnay is sourced, is located in the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley. The Yolo Loam series soils provide a combination of ideal fertility and drainage to the expertly planted Chardonnay vines. This vineyard consistently yields Chardonnay that is at the same time subtle and complex, and therefore ideal for our Mira Chardonnay.
According to The Drinks Business, of Oak Knoll District’s 8,300 acres, nearly 4,200 are planted to wine grapes, and Chardonnay represents 1108 acres.
To learn more, visit https://www.okdnapa.com/.
