The Crystal Springs of Napa Valley appellation, nestled in the foothills of Howell Mountain, marks Napa’s first new AVA in 13 years.
Wine enthusiasts can look forward to spotting a new regional designation on wine labels: Crystal Springs of Napa Valley. This newly approved appellation is the first for the area since 2011, when Coombsville became the 16th American Viticultural Area (AVA) within the expansive Napa Valley.
Primarily cultivated with Cabernet Sauvignon, Crystal Springs of Napa Valley is situated among the St. Helena, Calistoga, and Howell Mountain AVAs. The appellation spans 4,000 acres, yet only features 230 acres dedicated to vineyards.
What distinguishes Crystal Springs from its neighboring wine regions is its unique hillside vineyards.
“This is the only all-hillside AVA nested in the Napa Valley AVA,” shared Steven Burgess, the former owner of Burgess Cellars on Howell Mountain, who was instrumental in the federal petition that established the Crystal Springs of Napa Valley appellation. “Growing hillside grapes is more challenging and costly, but the rewards are evident in the bottle.”
The area’s rocky and hilly landscape poses significant challenges for building structures; aside from Bremer Family Winery, Viader Vineyards and Winery, and Seven Stones, there are limited winery facilities available. Nevertheless, the appellation boasts 30 commercial vineyards, and numerous respected producers source fruit from Crystal Springs, including Abreu Vineyards, Cakebread Cellars, Davis Estates, and Zakin Estate. (Before the approval of the Crystal Springs AVA, winemakers were required to label their wines under the larger Napa Valley AVA.)
While Crystal Springs is situated in the foothills of Howell Mountain, its growing conditions are distinct from those of the higher Howell Mountain AVA. The primary difference is fog: Howell Mountain AVA resides above the fog line, while vineyards in Crystal Springs frequently experience fog cover. Thanks to the appellation’s marine influence and extended growing season, Burgess notes that Crystal Springs yields intense, complex wines characterized by rich dark fruit aromas and flavors.
“What you find in the glass is predominantly black fruits such as blackberry, currant, cassis, brambleberry, and black cherry, all woven with elegant tannins,” he explained. “The concentration of flavors is remarkable, deriving naturally from the skin-to-juice ratio… Achieving such profound flavors along with natural acidity and structure is a defining trait of this region.”
Burgess expresses optimism that the designation of Crystal Springs of Napa Valley will enhance consumer understanding of what to expect in the bottle, while also aiding producers in marketing their wines amidst a growing competitive landscape. When his family launched their winery in 1972, the Napa Valley was home to merely a few dozen wineries; now, that number has surged to around 400.
“There is a strong demand for information, and this is crucial for some significant wines,” he explained. “Now, any knowledgeable wine buyer or sommelier will recognize the origin, allowing the winegrowers in this area to concentrate on the finer aspects of their offerings instead of providing customers with an overview of geography, topography, climate, and exposure every time they showcase a vintage.”
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