Calistoga AVA
Encyclopedia
The Calistoga AVA is an American Viticultural Area
located in the northern portion of California
's Napa Valley AVA
. The appellation
is distinguished by its volcanic soil, high temperatures up to 100 °F (37.8 °C) during the day, and cool nights during the growing season due to breezes from the Russian River
, causing the highest diurnal temperature variation in the Napa Valley—up to 50 °F (10 °C).
. The area is noted for its topographical diversity and uniform geology, with bedrock almost exclusively made through volcanic action. The hot days provide color and flavor in the wines, while the cool nights help to maintain acidity and structure
The appellation abuts the Diamond Mountain District AVA
to the south and west, the Saint Helena AVA to the southeast, and the Howell Mountain AVA
is a short way to the east.
petitioning for separate AVA status, with final approval coming through in 2009, effective 2010.
they would either have to use 85% grapes from the new AVA (neither did at the time) or change their brand names. Several compromises were proposed, and ultimately rejected, before the AVA was approved. During the process, the Tax and Trade Bureau
, the federal
body in charge of AVA designations, paused the process of all AVA proposals due to the need to redefine regulations.
Ultimately, the wineries using the Calistoga name were given three years to come in compliance with the appellation rules or discontinue using the name.
American Viticultural Area
An American Viticultural Area is a designated wine grape-growing region in the United States distinguishable by geographic features, with boundaries defined by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau , United States Department of the Treasury....
located in the northern portion of California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
's Napa Valley AVA
Napa Valley AVA
Napa Valley AVA is an American Viticultural Area located in Napa County, California, United States. Napa Valley is considered one of the top wine regions in the United States...
. The appellation
Appellation
An appellation is a legally defined and protected geographical indication used to identify where the grapes for a wine were grown; other types of food often have appellations as well...
is distinguished by its volcanic soil, high temperatures up to 100 °F (37.8 °C) during the day, and cool nights during the growing season due to breezes from the Russian River
Russian River (California)
The Russian River, a southward-flowing river, drains of Sonoma and Mendocino counties in Northern California. With an annual average discharge of approximately , it is the second largest river flowing through the nine county Greater San Francisco Bay Area with a mainstem 110 miles ...
, causing the highest diurnal temperature variation in the Napa Valley—up to 50 °F (10 °C).
Geography and Climate
Despite sharing a name, the Calistoga AVA does not encompass the entirety of the town of CalistogaCalistoga, California
Calistoga is a city in Napa County, California, United States. The population was 5,155 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , 99.30% of it land and 0.70% of it water.-Climate:...
. The area is noted for its topographical diversity and uniform geology, with bedrock almost exclusively made through volcanic action. The hot days provide color and flavor in the wines, while the cool nights help to maintain acidity and structure
The appellation abuts the Diamond Mountain District AVA
Diamond Mountain District AVA
The Diamond Mountain District AVA is an American Viticultural Area located in California's Mayacamas Mountains in the northeast portion of the Napa Valley AVA...
to the south and west, the Saint Helena AVA to the southeast, and the Howell Mountain AVA
Howell Mountain AVA
The Howell Mountain AVA is an American Viticultural Area located within Napa Valley AVA. Howell Mountain is located in the Vaca Mountains on the northeast side of Napa Valley around the town of Angwin, and overlooks the town of St. Helena, California....
is a short way to the east.
History
The name Calistoga dates back to 1857, with the first vine plantings in 1862. Viticultural and winery census data from 1880 list Calistoga as a distinct region separate from Napa. The appellation was proposed in 2003 by Bo BarrettBo Barrett
Bo Barrett is the current winemaker of Chateau Montelena. He is the son of Jim Barrett, under whose ownership the 1973 vintage Chardonnay won first place among white wines at the Judgment of Paris wine tasting. Barrett was an assistant during that vintage, working under the tutelage of Mike Grgich...
petitioning for separate AVA status, with final approval coming through in 2009, effective 2010.
Controversy
When the appellation was proposed, two wineries (Calistoga Cellars and Calistoga Estate) fought against the proposal, as under U.S. wine lawWine law
Wine laws are legislation regulating various aspects of production and sales of wine. The purpose of wine laws includes combating wine fraud, by means of regulated protected designations of origin, labelling practices and classification of wine, as well as regulating allowed additives and...
they would either have to use 85% grapes from the new AVA (neither did at the time) or change their brand names. Several compromises were proposed, and ultimately rejected, before the AVA was approved. During the process, the Tax and Trade Bureau
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, statutorily named the Tax and Trade Bureau and frequently shortened to TTB, is a bureau of the United States Department of the Treasury....
, the federal
Federal government of the United States
The federal government of the United States is the national government of the constitutional republic of fifty states that is the United States of America. The federal government comprises three distinct branches of government: a legislative, an executive and a judiciary. These branches and...
body in charge of AVA designations, paused the process of all AVA proposals due to the need to redefine regulations.
Ultimately, the wineries using the Calistoga name were given three years to come in compliance with the appellation rules or discontinue using the name.