Napa Valley

Napa Valley is One of the Top Wine Regions in the United States…and the Entire World

Few regions are as synonymous with a single country’s wine industry than Napa Valley. Mention Napa anywhere in the world, and connoisseurs and casual consumers alike will immediately know that some of the best and most prestigious wine on the planet is made there. What makes it so special? Let’s take a look.

What’s so special about Napa Valley wine?

Everything! Some of the greatest Cabernet Sauvignons in the world are grown and crafted in Napa, rivaling and often surpassing the legends of the Left Bank of Bordeaux. But Napa’s range is so much greater than that one grape variety. Merlot and Pinot Noir excel in Napa Valley, as does Chardonnay. Sauvignon Blanc has the potential for greatness there, too. Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and more all are venerated when grown in Napa. No matter what a wine is made from, however, most Napa Valley wine has in common a sense of generosity, expressiveness, and the kind of overt deliciousness that makes them impossible to forget. Napa Valley wine benefits from a vast range of terroirs, which means that Napa vineyards are capable of expressing a stunning breadth of grape varieties.

Is there a difference between Napa Valley and Napa?

Sort of: Napa Valley is the official name of the American Viticultural Area (AVA), and Napa is the name of the city that anchors it. However, when discussing the wines, Napa Valley and Napa are often used interchangeably.

What kind of wine does Napa Valley produce?

Napa Cabernet Sauvignon—often simply called Napa Cabernet, or even just Napa Cab—is the most famous. However, Napa Chardonnay, Napa Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Pinot Noir, and more are also calling-card grape varieties in Napa Valley. In addition to these, there are some stunning sparkling wines produced in Napa Valley. So while Napa Valley is often discussed as a monolith—home to fruit-forward, higher-alcohol wines—it is actually comprised of an amazing tapestry of terroirs that result in wines that run the gamut from more linear and savory to the kind of reds that would pair perfectly with sauce-slathered ribs. The best part? They’re all unique, and delicious in their own way.

What is an AVA and is Napa Valley one?

An AVA is an American Viticultural Area, the official term for a governmentally recognized wine region. Napa Valley is an AVA. And what are the sub-appellations of Napa Valley? Napa contains many sub-AVAs within its boundaries. Rutherford, St. Helena, Howell Mountain, and Spring Mountain are among the most renowned of them. Yountville, Oakville, and Coombsville are also highly respected.

What are popular brands of Napa Valley Wine that Total Wine & More carries?

Total Wine & More has a world-class selection of wines from Napa Valley, including Castle Winery, Chandon Napa, Calistoga, Hall Winery, Caymus, Rutherford Hill Winery, Trinchero, Robert Mondavi, Sterling Vineyards, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars / Stag’s Leap Winery, Domaine Carneros, Baldacci (Winery Direct), Titus (Winery Direct), Amici (Winery Direct), and Courtney Benham (Winery Direct), among many others.

Browse our full selection of Napa Valley wine online or check out our selection of highly rated Napa Valley wine for a great new Napa Valley wine to try this week!

Want to learn more about Napa Valley wine?

Visit our Guide to Napa Valley wine to learn more about Napa Valley wine.