Howell Mountain
Napa Valley
Napa's first sub-appellation (1983), perched above the fog line at 420 to 690 meters. The red volcanic soils and intense sun exposure produce powerful, tannic Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel that reward patience. Wines from here are some of Napa's most ageworthy.
The wines of Howell Mountain are made primarily from Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and other Napa Valley varieties.
Vineyard Map
Climate
Positioned above the fog line, Howell Mountain experiences intense diurnal temperature swings with hot, sun-drenched days and cool nights. The elevation creates a significantly warmer and drier growing environment compared to the valley floor, with extended hang time due to the dramatic day-night temperature differential.
Terroir
Howell Mountain sits atop ancient volcanic bedrock from the Franciscan Complex, overlaid with Pliocene volcanic ash deposits that have weathered into distinctive red tufa soils. The well-draining volcanic substrate forces vine roots deep into fractured bedrock, while the porous tufa retains just enough moisture to sustain vines through dry summers.
Typical Aromas
What it tastes like
Body
Big
Acidity
Bright
Tannin
Drying
Oak
Oaky
Ripeness
Rich
Concentration
Dense
Big, dense and bright with drying tannin and a fair bit of oak; blackberry, graphite and dried herbs over crushed rock, chewy when young and built for decades.
black fruit · herbal · graphite · stony · chewy
Similar styles
Lands in the same glass.
Grapes of Napa Valley
Frequently Asked Questions
What grapes grow in Howell Mountain?▼
What soils are found in Howell Mountain?▼
Map data: TTB (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau) · Imagery: Sentinel-2 cloudless by EOX IT Services GmbH (CC BY 4.0)