December 30th - This Date in Wine History

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Gadsden_Purchase_Southern_Pacific.jpg

Wine has a long established history of being our drink of choice for celebrating, entertaining, and savoring life; but it didn't start out that way. From the invention of the barrel to the designation of the separate viticultural areas, wine has a long and sorted history.  In our daily feature "This Date In Wine History," we share an event of critical importance in wine history.

  • The Gadsden Purchase was complete in 1853.  The land is southwestern New Mexico and southeastern Arizona was purchased to help railroads expansion in the the United States.  It is also home to the Sonoita Viticultural Area.
  • California's Howell Mountain AVA was designated in 1983.
  • The Valdichiana DOC was established in 1989.
  • Eddie Barlow, South African cricketer died in 1940.  In his retirement he bought a vineyard named Windfall.

Howell Mountain - Wine of the Day

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Howell Mountain

Howell Mountain received its designation as an AVA in 1983, and is a sub-appellation of the Napa Valley AVA. Howell Mountain is located on 14,000 acres in the Vaca Range on the northeast side of Napa Valley. Most vineyards on the Howell Mountain are planted between 1,400 feet and 2,200 feet placing them above the fog and cool winds from San Pablo Bay. The soil in the appellation is volcanic with good drainage, causing the vines to struggle and place all of their efforts into the fruit. The region is known for Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Grenache, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Sauvignon Blanc, and Zinfandel.

2013 Playground Cellars Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon - Wine of the Day

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2013 Playground Cellars Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

 2013 Playground Cellars Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

$60

This Howell Mountain Cab comes to us serendipitous by being in the right place at the right time, with the vineyard between contracts only for the 2013 season we were able to score enough for two barrels. This is a quintessential Howell Mountain Cab.  Grabbing your senses on the nose with berries, roses, leather, and white pepper, the palate is then enhanced by dark chocolate, nutmeg, plums and toasted oak.

Napa Valley - Wine Region of the Day

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Napa Valley received its designation as an AVA in 1981. Situated on 43,000 acres, Napa Valley is home to sub-appellations Los Carneros, Howell Mountain, Wild Horse Valley, Stags Leap District, Mt. Veeder, Atlas Peak, Spring Mountain District, Oakville, Rutherford, St. Helena, Chiles Valley, Yountville, Diamond Mountain District, Coombsville, Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley, and Calistoga. The Napa Valley floor is flanked by the Mayacamas Mountain Range on the western and northern sides the Vaca Mountains on the eastern side. The floor of the main valley gradually rises from sea level at the southern end to 362 feet above sea level at the northern end in Calistoga at the foot of Mount Saint Helena. The Oakville and Rutherford AVAs lie within a geographical area known as the Rutherford Bench in the center of the valley floor. The soil at the southern end of the valley consists mainly of sediments deposited by earlier advances and retreats of San Pablo Bay while the soil at the northern end of the valley contains a large volume of volcanic lava and ash. Several microclimates exist within the area due to various weather and geographical influences in the different sub-appellations. The open southern end of the valley floor is cooler during the growing season due to the proximity of San Pablo Bay while the sheltered, closed northern end is often much warmer. The eastern side of the valley tends to be arid because winter storms tend to drop much more precipitation on the western mountains and hills. Napa Valley is known for its world-class production of Cabernet Sauvignon but also produces Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc.

December 30th - This Date in Wine History

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 Map of the Howell Mountain Viticultural Area by Gretchen Miller Neuman for Qorkz.

Wine has a long established history of being our drink of choice for celebrating, entertaining, and savoring life; but it didn't start out that way. From the invention of the barrel to the designation of the separate viticultural areas, wine has a long and sorted history.  In our daily feature This Date In Wine History, we share an event of critical importance in wine history.

  • California's Howell Mountain AVA was designated in 1983.
  • The Valdichiana DOC was established in 1989.

2013 Playground Cellars Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon - Wine of the Day

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2013 Playground Cellars Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

$60

This Howell Mountain Cab comes to us serendipitous by being in the right place at the right time, with the vineyard between contracts only for the 2013 season we were able to score enough for two barrels. This is a quintessential Howell Mountain Cab.

Grabbing your senses on the nose with berries, roses, leather, and white pepper, the palate is then enhanced by dark chocolate, nutmeg, plums and toasted oak.

Howell Mountain - Wine Region Of The Day

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Howell Mountain 

Howell Mountain received its designation as an AVA in 1983, and is a sub-appellation of the Napa Valley AVA. Howell Mountain is located on 14,000 acres in the Vaca Range on the northeast side of Napa Valley. Most vineyards on the Howell Mountain are planted between 1,400 feet and 2,200 feet placing them above the fog and cool winds from San Pablo Bay. The soil in the appellation is volcanic with good drainage, causing the vines to struggle and place all of their efforts into the fruit. The region is known for Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Grenache, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Sauvignon Blanc, and Zinfandel.