Oakville… Stags Leap….
Rutherford…. Yountville…. Calistoga….
Coombsville? HUH?
Yes last December
Coombsville can stand be added to the AVAs of the Napa Valley.
This, 11,000-acre rural
region just east of the city of Napa recently became the 16th AVA in Napa
County. Named for Nathan Coombs, a prominent community leader and founder of
Napa (1847), Coombsville has long been regarded as a superb spot for growing
grapes but was somewhat out of the way from the mainstream wine-making centers.
Today more than 20 wineries
are producing wines in Coombsville.
Generally hilly with
vineyards at varying elevations, the area is protected from the wind by ridges,
knolls and mountains, and the soil is a mix of ancient volcanic ash and rocky
alluvial soils. The microclimates appear ideal for the production of elegant
red wines.
You won't find big hotels, restaurants, shops or wineries in
Coombsville. Instead, they will discover pastoral winding roads, a few houses
dotted here and there, and select vineyard-wineries hidden from view.
There are also no crowds,
lines of cars or limos — it's just Napa's
backyard. The few visitors who discover Coombsville will be rewarded with a
very mellow wine-tasting experience — by appointment only.
Here are some of the
wineries in Coombsville to check out.
Meteor Vineyard is a
gorgeous vineyard property off Third Street and produces some of the most
outstanding cabernets in Napa Valley. Walk through the vineyards and experience
the breadth and scope of Coombsville; you can see Mount George in the north,
the Vaca Mountain range to the east and the Carneros region to the southwest. MeteorVineyard.com
Black Cat Vineyard, run by
irrepressible owner/winemaker Tracey Reichow, is a spot to slow down and enjoy
wine and conversation with the winemaker. It's her house, after all, and she
treats visitors like long-lost friends. Blackcatvineyard.com
Cheers
Tim
