Bouchaine Vineyards is located in the southern most vineyards of the Carneros wine region. Carneros, the only AVA (American Viticulture Area) that spans both Napa and Sonoma counties, was established as an appellation in 1983, one of the first wine appellations created in California. The southern portions of both Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley comprise the Carneros because their soils and climates are more similar to one another than they are to their respective northern valleys.

Carneros is distinguished from the rest of Napa Valley and Sonoma County by its climate. It is considered a relatively cool climate viticulture area for growing grapes, mostly due to the marine influence from the San Pablo Bay. The area also experiences a wide fluctuation in temperature from morning to night, which is responsible for the maintenance of the acidity and structure in Carneros wines, primarily Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

The Carneros appellation is well known for its early morning fog and afternoon winds. The region receives about 22 inches of rainfall a year, mostly in the winter while the vines are dormant. Carneros soils are shallow clay loams, of low to moderate fertility, (the Haire series and the Diablo series), unique and ideal for wine grape production.

Carneros is bordered by the southern end of the Mayacamas mountain range to the north, the Napa River to the east, the Southern Pacific Rail to the south, and the Sonoma Mountains on the west. It comprises 36,900 acres, about 8,000 of which are planted to vineyards, with about 3,000 acres of Chardonnay and 3,000 acres of Pinot Noir. Other important varieties include Merlot and Syrah.

Bouchaine is a proud member of the Carneros Wine Alliance, whose website is a great way to learn more about this amazing historic place.

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Bouchaine Vineyards is located at the southern end of the majestic Napa Valley. The Napa Valley is only thirty miles long and just a few miles wide at its widest point. Nine percent of the land in Napa Valley is planted to vineyards, for a total of about 45,000 acres. Napa Valley only produces about 4% of the wine grown each year in California, but the quality of the wines have earned Napa Valley international acclaim as a premiere winegrowing region.

As of 2003, there were a total of 32,592 acres of red wine grapes in Napa. The predominant varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon (16,831 acres), Merlot (7,380 acres), Pinot Noir (2,715 acres), Zinfandel (1,863 acres) and Cabernet Franc (1,044acres). There were a total of 10,786 acres of white wine grapes in Napa. Of those acres, the predominant varieties are Chardonnay (7,692 acres) and Sauvignon Blanc (1,998 acres). In 2003, the average price for a ton of Napa wine grapes was $3,032, much higher than the state average of $538.

Napa Valley is a veritable valley, bordered on both sides by mountain ranges created from heavy tectonic activity. The Mayacamas to the west and the Vaca Mountains to the east create a dynamic niche for growing varied wine grape varieties. The San Pablo Bay to the south has further diversified this region’s geology with advancing and retracting waters over time. The Napa River runs through the valley floor and this alluvial flow coupled with other geologic influences have created over 30 identifiably distinct soil types in the valley.

Napa Valley’s warm and sunny days followed by cool evenings allow for the maturation of many types of wine grapes. Rainfall is mostly concentrated to the winter months allowing for great control of vegetative growth by irrigation.

Napa Valley has a number of distinct winemaking AVA’s (American Viticulture Areas) - regions that are distinct due to their soils, aspect, geology, and climate. Napa Valley is an appellation itself, and within the Napa Valley appellation exists 13 sub appellations including Atlas Peak, Chiles Valley District, Diamond Mountain District, Howell Mountain, Los Carneros, Mt. Veeder, Oakville, Rutherford, St. Helena, Spring Mountain District, Stags Leap District, Yountville, and Wild Horse Valley.

To the Wappo Indians who were the first known inhabitants of the valley, "Napa" meant land of plenty, and wild grapes were prevalent in the valley before European settlers arrived. In 1836 it was European settler George Yount that first planted grapevines at his home in the Napa Valley in what is now the town of Yountville.

Bouchaine is a proud member of the Napa Valley Vintners Association, where you can find out more about the history, the wines and the people of the Napa Valley.

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