508:
addition, on the legendary Rancho
Catacula parcel, the Volker Eisele Family began cultivating Cabernet Sauvignon in 1975. Although, 90% of its grapes are sold to other wineries, Eisele Family Estate is currently the largest producer in the Chiles Valley. Mr. Eisele submitted the ATF petition that was approved to establish the valley’s AVA status in 1999. There are currently a little over 1,000 acres (400 ha) of vines in Chiles Valley. Most of the arable land within the AVA is being used for grape production, but there are still a few hundred acres that are not developed. Representing the AVA’s seven vineyards and nine wineries, the Napa Valley Backroads Winery Experience organization was established by three wineries, Catacula Lake, RustRidge, and Nichelini, to promote Chiles Valley.
445:
the temperature drop at nightfall less, but also much more gradual so that during a 24 hour period the heat summation is substantially higher on the slopes than within the AVA boundaries. In winter, the situation is reversed. Strong winds tend to chill the uplands creating a cooler climate than on the valley floor. Snowfall above 1,400 feet (427 m) elevation has been observed many times. The microclimatic limitations combined with enormous steepness and very poor soil (serpentine, heavy sandstone formations, and shale out croppings) create an abrupt change from the viticultural area to the areas surrounding it. The
422:
an open funnel for the prevailing northwesterly winds. This fairly constant northwesterly flow produces substantial cooling during the day and, in combination with the altitude, relatively dry air. During the night, this drier air leads to more rapid cooling than in most of the Napa Valley. In addition, the narrow valley is surrounded by hills up to 2,200 feet (671 m) which concentrate the cooler air flowing down the hillsides toward the valley floor where the vineyards are located. In the summer, Chiles Valley has sunny days that are occasionally cooled by afternoon fog. The relative distance from
909:
345:
the petition favored the addition of "District" to the name, but no additional evidence was submitted to support it. The comments only reiterated the petitioner's original argument that the use of the term "District" was important to distinguish the Chiles Valley from the larger Napa Valley. None of the comments added any data or historical evidence for the use of the term "District" in conjunction with Chiles Valley.
600:
562:
396:. The 8,550 acres (3,460 ha) property is currently known as Chiles Creek. Chiles planted the first vineyards on Rancho Catacula in 1850. During the 1870s, Francis Sievers bought a parcel of Rancho Catacula, cultivated a vineyard and founded Lomita’s Vineyard and Winery on site which is currently part of the Volker Eisele Family Estate. The area was historically a local source for
462:
and relatively uniform soil make the viticultural area a clearly identifiable growing area. Almost all vineyards lie between 800 and 1,000 feet (240–300 m) elevation while some extend to 1,000–1,700 feet (300–520 m) elevations. As a general rule, the soils in the Chiles Valley all belong to the Tehama Series: nearly level to gently slopping, well drained Silt loams on
440:
In the areas immediately adjacent to the boundaries, the micro-climate changes significantly. As one moves up the hillsides on either side of Chiles Valley, the summer fog blanket gets thinner and thinner and disappears altogether at approximately 1,400 to 1,500 feet (430–460 m) elevation. Since the cold
444:
down into the Chiles Valley, the night time temperatures are quite a bit higher on the steep slopes than on the valley floor. In addition, the lack of fog allows a much faster temperature build up during the day, reaching the daily high two to three hours earlier than on the valley floor. Not only is
439:
climate classification, Chiles Valley indicates a "Region Two". The growing season starts later than in the Napa Valley due to a colder winter with temperatures dropping below 20 °F (−7 °C). The high incidence of spring frost is another indication of the generally cooler climate conditions.
434:
to move in much later than in the main Napa Valley. By the time the fog does reach the Chiles Valley, the air temperatures have dropped much more dramatically than in the Napa Valley, thereby causing much lower temperatures during the night. Late fog ceiling, combined with low minimums, cause a very
461:
The soils within the Chiles Valley are well drained and of medium fertility. The overall terrain gently slopes toward a series of creeks, which act as natural drainage for surface as well as subterranean water. The petitioner believes this is a good basis for high quality grapes. Uniform elevation
421:
The geographical features of Chiles Valley AVA sets it apart from the surrounding area in the Napa Valley and produces a unique microclimate. The lands within its boundaries generally is between 800–1,000 feet (244–305 m) above sea level. The valley lies on a northwest-southeast axis acting as
344:
The term "District" was requested as part of the viticultural area name in the original petition. ATF noticed the proposed area as "Chiles Valley" because ATF did not find that the petitioner submitted sufficient evidence to support the use of the term "District" with Chiles Valley. Six comments in
507:
marketed for decades following
Prohibition. In 1972, the Meyer Family purchased a large tract of land that previously was a thoroughbred horse ranch. They began growing Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon establishing RustRidge Ranch and Winery in 1985. In
486:
The local viticultural production has been affected by the valley’s remote isolation both favorably and unfavorably. Its distance from the rest of the Napa Valley essentially excluded it from the late 19th century wine business boom cycle. However, Chiles Valley vineyard development was largely
324:
than the main Napa Valley floor due to elevations of 600–1,200 feet (183–366 m) as well as a cooling breeze from the
Pacific Ocean. The area expands approximately 6,000 acres (9 sq mi) with 1,000 acres (405 ha) being cultivated in 1996. The remaining plantable area does not
300:
on April 19, 1999 after the ATF received the petition from Mr. Volker Eisele, owner of the Volker Eisele
Vineyard and Winery proposing a new viticultural area in Napa County to be known as "Chiles Valley District".
453:, which result in substantially higher average temperatures during the growing season and significantly lower ones in the winter. In addition, the summer fog from the Pacific Ocean never reaches the Pope Valley.
449:
to the north of Chiles Valley is also significantly different. A combination of a lower elevation valley floor and substantially higher mountains on the western side causes the formation of
386:
974:
739:
579:
499:
until the early 1970s, very little wine was produced in the Chiles Valley. The region was too small and remote to be a significant contributor to the mass-produced
435:
slow heat buildup during the day, again producing relatively cooler average temperatures than those found in many places of the Napa Valley. According to the
873:
657:
408:, which resulted in the burning of over 315,000 acres (492 sq mi) in five counties, including 2,500 acres (3.9 sq mi) in Chiles Valley.
848:
716:
687:
628:
809:
979:
950:
491:
outbreaks in the 1980s and 90s as its pre-phylloxera vines still thrive today. These century-old vines are some of the most prized
761:
583:(Title 27: Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; Part 9 — American Viticultural Areas; Subpart C — Approved American Viticultural Areas)
297:
731:
358:
793:
130:
377:
were part of the Wintun Nation with the Wappo having the predominant presence in the valley. Chiles Valley was named after
649:
679:
436:
840:
708:
943:
404:
was found in the southern end of the valley. In August 2020, Chiles Valley residents were evacuated due to the
28:
110:
785:
142:
405:
620:
984:
285:
47:
936:
969:
450:
446:
289:
150:
542:
313:
309:
817:
558:(31). Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Bureau, Treasury Department: 7785–7788. February 17, 1999.
382:
154:
924:
8:
389:
114:
753:
326:
225:
789:
776:
441:
186:
Tehama Series, silt loams; decomposed chert & green serpentine on elevated slopes
550:
118:
93:
81:
475:
393:
338:
293:
249:
122:
97:
85:
308:
above the northeast side of the Napa Valley between and on the same latitude as
920:
500:
305:
221:
158:
146:
138:
126:
102:
963:
888:
875:
604:
566:
427:
423:
378:
370:
325:
exceed 500 acres (202 ha). The most planted grapes in Chiles Valley are
165:
106:
471:
467:
134:
492:
916:
496:
317:
488:
463:
334:
237:
229:
330:
261:
241:
908:
774:
504:
253:
245:
865:
603:
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the
565:
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the
321:
400:, which was mined by residents in the area as of the 1881 while
401:
374:
233:
495:
in the AVA producing low yields, and quality grapes. From
362:
354:
257:
366:
431:
397:
650:"Chiles Valley ~ Napa Valley (AVA): Appellation Profile"
357:
Nation who were a conglomerate of tribes settled in the
470:. The elevated vineyards are made mostly of decomposed
975:
296:. It was established as California's 81st AVA by the
644:
642:
640:
638:
16:
732:"Napa's Chiles Valley Becomes California's 81st AVA"
635:
729:
961:
832:
775:Palmer, Lyman L.; Wells, Harry Laurenz (1881).
838:
353:The valley’s first known inhabitants were the
944:
841:"Chiles Valley Isn't Hot, But It's So "Cool""
778:History of Napa and Lake Counties, California
723:
298:Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF)
746:
543:"Chiles Valley Viticultural Area (96F-111)"
537:
535:
533:
531:
529:
527:
525:
523:
521:
951:
937:
615:
613:
703:
701:
699:
697:
546:(27 CFR Part 9 RIN 1512-AA07 Final rule)
416:
784:. Slocum, Bowen & Company. pp.
518:
802:
719:from the original on September 7, 2015.
672:
610:
474:, a rocky red volcanic soil, and green
962:
694:
690:from the original on November 8, 2011.
768:
764:from the original on October 4, 2017.
742:from the original on August 27, 2020.
131:Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley AVA
903:
839:Goldfarb, Alan (November 30, 2007).
660:from the original on August 29, 2018
304:The Chiles Valley is nestled in the
851:from the original on June 20, 2019.
730:Worobiec, MaryAnn (March 6, 1999).
631:from the original on March 4, 2008.
572:
13:
14:
996:
980:1999 establishments in California
859:
907:
598:
560:
286:American Viticultural Area (AVA)
194:6,000 acres (9 sq mi)
481:
387:Mexican governor of California
268:
207:
175:Precipitation (annual average)
1:
511:
487:protected from Napa Valley’s
111:Diamond Mountain District AVA
923:. You can help Knowledge by
810:"Hennessey Fire Information"
709:"Chiles Valley Wine History"
621:"Chiles Valley Wine Country"
143:Spring Mountain District AVA
7:
680:"Wineries in Chiles Valley"
587:Code of Federal Regulations
10:
1001:
902:
411:
348:
48:American Viticultural Area
267:
217:
206:
202:1,000 acres (405 ha)
199:Size of planted vineyards
198:
190:
182:
174:
164:
91:
77:
69:
61:
53:
43:
35:
26:
292:and a sub-region within
580:"§ 9.154 Chiles Valley"
456:
381:, who received a large
379:Joseph Ballinger Chiles
290:Napa County, California
178:30 inches (762 mm)
151:Stags Leap District AVA
94:Napa County appellation
82:Napa County appellation
889:38.62541°N 122.37104°W
417:Topography and Climate
62:Years of wine industry
155:Wild Horse Valley AVA
894:38.62541; -122.37104
754:"Chiles Valley Wine"
885: /
845:Appellation America
654:Appellation America
390:Manuel Micheltorena
115:Howell Mountain AVA
23:
820:on August 18, 2020
430:allows the summer
327:Cabernet Sauvignon
226:Cabernet Sauvignon
218:Varietals produced
21:
985:Wine region stubs
932:
931:
795:978-1-36-300055-5
278:
277:
92:Other regions in
22:Chiles Valley AVA
992:
953:
946:
939:
911:
904:
900:
899:
897:
896:
895:
890:
886:
883:
882:
881:
878:
853:
852:
836:
830:
829:
827:
825:
816:. Archived from
806:
800:
799:
783:
772:
766:
765:
750:
744:
743:
727:
721:
720:
705:
692:
691:
676:
670:
669:
667:
665:
646:
633:
632:
617:
608:
602:
601:
597:
595:
593:
584:
576:
570:
564:
563:
559:
551:Federal Register
547:
539:
451:inversion layers
359:Sacramento Delta
270:
209:
119:Los Carneros AVA
54:Year established
24:
20:
1000:
999:
995:
994:
993:
991:
990:
989:
960:
959:
958:
957:
893:
891:
887:
884:
879:
876:
874:
872:
871:
862:
857:
856:
837:
833:
823:
821:
808:
807:
803:
796:
781:
773:
769:
752:
751:
747:
728:
724:
707:
706:
695:
678:
677:
673:
663:
661:
648:
647:
636:
619:
618:
611:
599:
591:
589:
582:
578:
577:
573:
561:
545:
541:
540:
519:
514:
484:
459:
419:
414:
394:Rancho Catacula
351:
339:Sauvignon Blanc
294:Napa Valley AVA
250:Sauvignon Blanc
183:Soil conditions
123:Coombsville AVA
98:Napa Valley AVA
86:Napa Valley AVA
17:
12:
11:
5:
998:
988:
987:
982:
977:
972:
970:Vaca Mountains
956:
955:
948:
941:
933:
930:
929:
912:
869:
868:
861:
860:External links
858:
855:
854:
831:
801:
794:
767:
745:
736:Wine Spectator
722:
693:
671:
634:
609:
571:
516:
515:
513:
510:
493:AxR1 rootstock
483:
480:
458:
455:
418:
415:
413:
410:
406:Hennessey Fire
385:in 1843, from
350:
347:
306:Vaca Mountains
276:
275:
272:
265:
264:
222:Cabernet Franc
219:
215:
214:
211:
204:
203:
200:
196:
195:
192:
188:
187:
184:
180:
179:
176:
172:
171:
168:
166:Climate region
162:
161:
159:Yountville AVA
147:St. Helena AVA
139:Rutherford AVA
127:Mt. Veeder AVA
103:Atlas Peak AVA
100:
89:
88:
79:
75:
74:
71:
67:
66:
63:
59:
58:
55:
51:
50:
45:
41:
40:
37:
33:
32:
15:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
997:
986:
983:
981:
978:
976:
973:
971:
968:
967:
965:
954:
949:
947:
942:
940:
935:
934:
928:
926:
922:
919:article is a
918:
913:
910:
906:
905:
901:
898:
867:
864:
863:
850:
846:
842:
835:
819:
815:
811:
805:
797:
791:
787:
780:
779:
771:
763:
759:
758:Wine-Searcher
755:
749:
741:
737:
733:
726:
718:
714:
710:
704:
702:
700:
698:
689:
685:
681:
675:
659:
655:
651:
645:
643:
641:
639:
630:
626:
622:
616:
614:
606:
605:public domain
588:
581:
575:
568:
567:public domain
557:
553:
552:
544:
538:
536:
534:
532:
530:
528:
526:
524:
522:
517:
509:
506:
502:
498:
494:
490:
479:
477:
473:
469:
468:alluvial fans
465:
454:
452:
448:
443:
438:
433:
429:
428:Pacific Ocean
425:
424:San Pablo Bay
409:
407:
403:
399:
395:
391:
388:
384:
380:
376:
372:
368:
364:
360:
356:
346:
342:
340:
336:
332:
328:
323:
320:has a cooler
319:
315:
311:
307:
302:
299:
295:
291:
287:
283:
282:Chiles Valley
273:
266:
263:
259:
255:
251:
247:
243:
239:
235:
231:
227:
223:
220:
216:
212:
205:
201:
197:
193:
189:
185:
181:
177:
173:
169:
167:
163:
160:
156:
152:
148:
144:
140:
136:
132:
128:
124:
120:
116:
112:
108:
107:Calistoga AVA
104:
101:
99:
95:
90:
87:
83:
80:
76:
73:United States
72:
68:
64:
60:
56:
52:
49:
46:
42:
39:Chiles Valley
38:
36:Official name
34:
31:
30:
25:
19:
925:expanding it
914:
870:
844:
834:
822:. Retrieved
818:the original
813:
804:
777:
770:
757:
748:
735:
725:
712:
683:
674:
662:. Retrieved
653:
624:
590:. Retrieved
586:
574:
555:
549:
503:and popular
485:
464:flood plains
460:
420:
352:
343:
303:
281:
279:
210:of vineyards
135:Oakville AVA
27:
18:
917:wine region
892: /
880:122°22′16″W
866:TTB AVA Map
782:(1854-1940)
713:CalWineries
684:CalWineries
664:October 30,
625:CalWineries
592:October 30,
497:Prohibition
482:Viticulture
447:Pope Valley
318:appellation
288:located in
271:of wineries
29:Wine region
964:Categories
877:38°37′31″N
824:August 17,
512:References
489:phylloxera
476:serpentine
442:air drains
437:U.C. Davis
383:land grant
335:Chardonnay
314:Rutherford
310:St. Helena
238:Muscadelle
230:Chardonnay
191:Total area
505:jug wines
501:fortified
331:Zinfandel
262:Zinfandel
242:Primitivo
170:Region II
849:Archived
814:CAL FIRE
762:Archived
760:. 2007.
740:Archived
717:Archived
715:. 2007.
688:Archived
686:. 2007.
658:Archived
656:. 2007.
629:Archived
627:. 2007.
426:and the
392:, named
254:Semillon
246:Riesling
412:Terroir
349:History
322:climate
78:Part of
70:Country
792:
402:gypsum
375:Patwin
373:, and
371:Suisun
361:. The
355:Wintun
337:, and
316:. The
284:is an
234:Merlot
915:This
786:28–29
472:chert
363:Wappo
258:Syrah
921:stub
826:2020
790:ISBN
666:2007
594:2007
466:and
457:Soil
367:Pomo
312:and
280:The
57:1999
44:Type
432:fog
398:tin
269:No.
244:,
208:No.
65:154
966::
847:.
843:.
812:.
788:.
756:.
738:.
734:.
711:.
696:^
682:.
652:.
637:^
623:.
612:^
585:.
556:64
554:.
548:.
520:^
478:.
369:,
365:,
341:.
333:,
329:,
260:,
256:,
252:,
248:,
240:,
236:,
232:,
228:,
224:,
157:,
153:,
149:,
145:,
141:,
137:,
133:,
129:,
125:,
121:,
117:,
113:,
109:,
105:,
96:,
84:,
952:e
945:t
938:v
927:.
828:.
798:.
668:.
607:.
596:.
569:.
274:9
213:7
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.