It’s no secret that the type of wine Napa is known for is Cabernet Sauvignon. According to Napa Valley’s official tourism marketing organization, Visit Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon accounts for more than half of Napa’s crop value and 40% of its production.
Why is Napa Known for Cabernet Sauvignon?
We are all a product of our environment. A fruit that must labor its roots through rocky terrains and endure the long, dry, hot summers of the valley will prove to be one of great character. The history of Cabernet Sauvignon in the Napa Valley began as a torturous one. Aphid destruction and Prohibition decimated quality wine production for almost 100 years beginning in the early 1900s, but with patience and perseverance, just like the vine itself (originally transported across the world from France and Spain), it dug its roots deeply until the time was ripe. That time happened to be in 1976 during the Paris Wine Tasting when a Cabernet Sauvignon from the valley beat out all French Bordeaux blends in a blind tasting. The world was now curious how such green vineyards could produce such a complex, lush, and bold wine.
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Millennia of receding oceans, volcanic eruptions, and wide winding rivers give credence to one of the finest geological landscapes for wine production in California. Because of this, the Napa Valley is now one of the most recognized and acclaimed regions for Cabernet Sauvignon production in the world and visited by millions of people a year. Here at Priority Wine Pass, we want you to not only experience world-renowned Cabernets, but aid in your appreciation for this little fruit and the expert craftsman who steward the land it grows on. Below is a brief list of some of the most memorable wineries to experience the valley’s most exceptional Cabernets.
Some exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa Valley
Pine Ridge
Located off of the iconic Silverado trail, Pine Ridge offers an Appellation Collection of Cabs that span the unique geography of the area. As you taste cabs from Howell Mountain, Rutherford, Oakville, Stags Leap District, and Carneros you will prime your palate with an education for the rest of your Napa Valley adventures.
Rodney Strong
Rodney Strong personifies their family name. While surviving the recent wildfires in Sonoma County they have continued to commit to producing some of the most delicious and accessible single vineyard cabs in the area.
Madrigal Family Winery
As one of the first Mexican-American families in the valley, Madrigal Family Winery’s history is as rich and long as the delicious Cabernets they produce. Located between St. Helena and Calistoga, it’s a must stop for Cabernets that have been tried and true by a family that truly understands the land.
