Comments on: Is St. Helena different from Oakville or Rutherford? http://www.steveheimoff.com/index.php/2008/10/30/is-st-helena-different-from-oakville-or-rutherford/ A blog about the world of wine Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:13:07 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.3 By: Morton Leslie http://www.steveheimoff.com/index.php/2008/10/30/is-st-helena-different-from-oakville-or-rutherford/comment-page-1/#comment-1092 Morton Leslie Thu, 30 Oct 2008 22:03:42 +0000 http://steveheimoff.com/?p=899#comment-1092 I am a big fan of some St. Helena Cabs, especially Spottswood, and I don't think they get the respect they have earned. I think maybe some of the best vineyard land in the valley is covered by houses in St. Helena's "Prestigious" West Side (local joke). If the Spottswood ground was not as good as it is, being in the city limits it would be McMansions. Instead, it produces distinct and vibrant Cabernet, good enough to protect it from the real estate developer. I really don't know the exact dimensions of the district, and Ehlers lane to Zinfandel is pretty diverse territory. But I can vouch for Madrone Avenue. To me there are two important general influences in the "prestigious" West Side. One is the soil which is from alluvial fans coming out of the canyons and streams of Spring Mountain. They have deposited relatively deep, less fertile, warm and well drained soils. In general, soils get heavier the farther East you go from the Spring Mountain foothills. The second is the climate. Most people talk about cooling in the Napa Valley in relation to San Pablo Bay. And most people assume that cooler is better. But in reality when it is warm, when it is cool, and the maximum temperature is just as important. Immediately West above St. Helena the Maycamas range drops into a low ridge (2000 ft) which is the Spring Mountain District. Coastal cooling comes directly across the Santa Rosa plain and spills over Spring Mountain giving not only Spring Mountain a distinct microclimate, but strongly influencing the grapes growing directly below in St. Helena. St. Helena cools off earlier and warms up earlier; the East side of St. Helena being a bit higher and fog burning off first, Both the soil and microclimate aid a balanced grape maturation process which shows up in the wine. I am a big fan of some St. Helena Cabs, especially Spottswood, and I don’t think they get the respect they have earned. I think maybe some of the best vineyard land in the valley is covered by houses in St. Helena’s “Prestigious” West Side (local joke). If the Spottswood ground was not as good as it is, being in the city limits it would be McMansions. Instead, it produces distinct and vibrant Cabernet, good enough to protect it from the real estate developer. I really don’t know the exact dimensions of the district, and Ehlers lane to Zinfandel is pretty diverse territory. But I can vouch for Madrone Avenue.

To me there are two important general influences in the “prestigious” West Side. One is the soil which is from alluvial fans coming out of the canyons and streams of Spring Mountain. They have deposited relatively deep, less fertile, warm and well drained soils. In general, soils get heavier the farther East you go from the Spring Mountain foothills. The second is the climate. Most people talk about cooling in the Napa Valley in relation to San Pablo Bay. And most people assume that cooler is better. But in reality when it is warm, when it is cool, and the maximum temperature is just as important. Immediately West above St. Helena the Maycamas range drops into a low ridge (2000 ft) which is the Spring Mountain District. Coastal cooling comes directly across the Santa Rosa plain and spills over Spring Mountain giving not only Spring Mountain a distinct microclimate, but strongly influencing the grapes growing directly below in St. Helena. St. Helena cools off earlier and warms up earlier; the East side of St. Helena being a bit higher and fog burning off first, Both the soil and microclimate aid a balanced grape maturation process which shows up in the wine.

]]> By: Ted http://www.steveheimoff.com/index.php/2008/10/30/is-st-helena-different-from-oakville-or-rutherford/comment-page-1/#comment-1091 Ted Thu, 30 Oct 2008 19:22:46 +0000 http://steveheimoff.com/?p=899#comment-1091 Having made wine in St.Helena for many years I have to say that it is a diverse appellation. The soils up nears Elhers lane are very different the the ones down South at Zinfandel Lane. The appellation is political and not so much drawn because of a unique set of growing conditions. This is not to say there aren't excellent vineyards in the appellation (Lewelling comes to mind). And you're right, I found "Napa Valley" on the label is more impressive to people than "St. Helena". I guess thats why Appellation St.Helena exists. Having made wine in St.Helena for many years I have to say that it is a diverse appellation. The soils up nears Elhers lane are very different the the ones down South at Zinfandel Lane. The appellation is political and not so much drawn because of a unique set of growing conditions. This is not to say there aren’t excellent vineyards in the appellation (Lewelling comes to mind). And you’re right, I found “Napa Valley” on the label is more impressive to people than “St. Helena”. I guess thats why Appellation St.Helena exists.

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