Oakville Wine Country

To the wine connoisseur, Oakville is the magnificence and majesty of California Cabernet Sauvignon synonymous. But spend examined for those of us, not our waking wine tasting and viticulture philosophies, Oakville is just another region in the Napa Valley. To the untrained eye, Oakville is a sleepy little town on Highway 29, but it has become California's epicenter for Cabernet production.

HW Crabb broke ground in Oakville in the middleof the nineteenth century. His To Kalon Vineyard marked the starting point of a storied winemaking history in Oakville, where battles with Phylloxera and Prohibition, and its ultimate rise to excellence.

Phylloxera (pronounced: Phil - ox - erra) is an aphid like insect that lives its parasitic lifecycle on the evidence of the vines. This threat brought many vineyards to their knees, which is the largest wholesale destruction of vineyards in California 'sHistory. Crabb did not succumb to the dangerous aphid, but the implementation of Phylloxera resistant materials pioneered. This saved To Kalon Vineyard, and laid the foundations for all Napa Valley Vineyards that followed.

These Oakville Vineyards, whose rise to prominence began in the 1950s used to revolutionize perfect Cabernet growing conditions to California Wine. Warm, sunny days are the first aspect of the Oakville microclimate that lends itself to CabernetProduction. In the south of Oakville, Yountville, the brackets that crawls the majority of the block, the mist through the valley of San Pablo Bay. This allows the Cabernet grapes can bask in the glory of the sun, resulting in fruit forward, complex and balanced Cabs.

Some of the best taxis in the world come from this historic region. And the crème de la crème of Oakville is Robert Mondavi, Opus One. Anyone who has tasted this opulent Bordeaux blend can attest to hisBrilliance.

Although Oakville enjoys an ideal climate, the soil in this region lays the foundation for premium quality Bordeaux blends and varietals. The home of the best vineyards and wineries in Oakville affectionately known as the Oakville bench. This name from the landscape of the region have their origin, is located above the valley floor, but at the base of the Mayacamas Mountains. Ever since the Sonoma Volcanics covered Napa County with ash in front of millions of years ago, nutrient-richSediment was washed down from the mountains, for the Oakville Bench. This, together with the sandy, rocky soils that exist naturally in Oakville makes elaborate, penetrating root systems and healthy vines. These in turn produce grapes grapes with unmatched flavor and intensity.

It is then followed by make in the hands of growers, and this quality building blocks into opulent world class wines. Due to its worldwide recognition, Oakville vineyards draw somethe best growers in the world. This distinguished list includes Heidi Barrett, one of the best if not the best women winemakers in the world. Their expertise is used by Paradigm Winery to produce wines that have gained an excellent reputation among connoisseurs, too.

The definition of a paradigm is an example of how a design or model is used. This example of the wine producing Barrett and Paradigm. Their Estate Bottled Cabernet Sauvignon embodies the true gloryOakville. If you get your hands on a bottle of this emerging winery space in the basement.

Some of the best wine collections in the world have a Cabernet Sauvignon from Screaming Eagle. Located in the hills above the Oakville Bank, "Screaming Eagles" the epitome of a cult winery. In fact, after its 1997 Cab a perfect 100 from Robert Parker of Wine Enthusiast. Many wineries claim to perfection, but Screaming Eagle is the hike. If you enjoy a wine withScreaming Eagle, get ready to empty, the Kid's College Fund. I've never sold one of their cabins for less than a thousand dollars, and get some upward at a price of five thousand dollars per bottle, ouch.

Unfortunately, no one can buy taste Screaming Eagle wines without them. You do not have a tasting room is open to the pubic. But many other Oakville wineries have tasting tours, and you can spend your entire trip to the Napa Valley in Oakvillealone.

There are numerous small wineries in Oakville, the award earned. One of these wineries is Dolce, whose slogan is "Liquid Gold from Napa Valley." The flagship wine in 20th place in "Wine Enthusiast's Top 100 Wines of 2003". Visit their winery is a pleasure that everyone should enjoy.

The true essence of the Oakville Wine is found in the hearts of the winemakers. The land produces fruit, but the vintners turn this into the winethat embodies the soul of the Napa Valley. Oakville began as a color in a bottle, and has emerged as a true masterpiece of Napa Valley vineyards. Oakville is truly a jewel of the Napa Valley and should be a target for anyone who enjoys wine.