ATLAS PEAK - The Summit of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

ATLAS PEAK AVA

Atlas Peak is located in Napa Valley, California, on the western slopes of the Vaca Range that separates Napa Valley and the Sacramento Valley. Atlas Peak is the most prominent peak in the area at 2663 feet elevation.

It is the southernmost link in Napa Valley’s Vaca chain and it is one of the more austere looking mountains in the region. Though it is closer to the San Pablo Bay and therefore slightly cooler, it receives some of the lowest rainfall in Napa Valley, which is evident in its parched landscape. Viticulture has a long history here but remains a minority presence. Despite large vineyards such as Antica and Stagecoach, Atlas Peak is primarily dedicated to cattle and other agricultural pursuits.

The westward orientation of most vineyards on the Vaca Mountains also extends the amount of direct sunlight on the grapes. The soil of this AVA is volcanic and very porous which allows it to cool down quickly despite the increased sunlight. The area has a fairly significant diurnal temperature variation upwards of 30 °F (17 °C) between daytime and night. This contributes to the balance of acidity that grapes from Atlas Peak vineyards are known to have.

Elevation: 760 to 2600 ft (122 to 793 m)

The area's highest elevation is located at the summit of Atlas Peak and the lowest elevation is located in the bottom of Rector Canyon at 760 feet above sea level. The majority of this viticultural area lies over 1400 feet above sea level.

Soils: Volcanic in origin, Basaltic red color, Shallow with limited water retention. Irrigation is often essential.

Climate: Cool, mountain-influenced Temperatures 10° to 15°F cooler than valley floor in summer. Mostly located above the fog line. Low diurnal change. Summer temperatures rarely above 90°F (32.2°C)

Rainfall: Up to 38 inches (96 cm) annually

Principal Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay

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