SummitVine Diamant Red Blend Diamond Mountain District 2016

SummitVine Diamant Red Blend Diamond Mountain District 2016

Diamond Mountain District is a relatively small AVA at the northern end of Napa Valley in California. The Diamond Mountain forms part of the Mayacamas Mountains, which divide Napa from Sonoma Valley.

Located immediately south of and above Calistoga, the AVA occupies 5,000 acres (2,023ha) of rolling vineyard, scrubland and forest on the western side of the valley. Most Diamond Mountain vineyards are located 656 to 820 feet (200250m) above sea level, scattered among the various peaks and troughs created by the low mountain topography. Sun-baked, rocky, infertile slopes provide the perfect level of stress for the vines, forcing them to dig deep, strong root systems. When well managed, this results in small yields of intensely flavored grapes with a good balance of sugars and acidity.

Diamond Mountain is one of Napa’s warmest AVAs, though not quite as stifling as parts of Calistoga or St. Helena. The fog that rolls up the southern half of the Napa Valley on summer mornings and afternoons is not a key feature of the terroir here. This area is elevated too far above the valley floor for the fog to reach it reliably and is also a little too far north the southern side of St Helena is typically the northernmost part of the valley to enjoy this cooling advantage. In cooler years, when the slightly extended growing season allows the grapes to reach full phenolic ripeness, most Diamond Mountain wines are well-balanced and reward mid-term cellaring.