Wild Horse Valley AVA

Wild Horse Valley is an American Viticultural Area whose borders overlap both Napa and Solano Counties, California and is partially contained within the Napa Valley AVA. It was established on November 30, 1988 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by John Newmeyer of Napa and four other interested persons proposing the establishment of the viticultural area named "Wild Horse Valley."^[6][7] The appellation's southerly location results in more hours of sunshine than other locations in Napa Valley or nearby Green Valley. The proximity to San Pablo Bay results in a cooler climate, making Wild Horse Valley attractive for the cultivation of grapes like Pinot noir.^[8]

Wild Horse Valley

Wine region
Type	American Viticultural Area
Year established	1988[1]
Years of wine industry	144[1]
Country	United States
Part of	California, North Coast AVA, Napa County, Solano County, Napa Valley AVA
Climate region	Region I[1]
Heat units	less than 2,500 GDD units[1]
Soil conditions	Hambright, Toomes, Gilroy, Coombs, Sobrante and Trimmer loams[1]
Total area	3,300 acres (5.2 sq mi)[1]
Size of planted vineyards	73 acres (30 ha)[1][2]
No. of vineyards	1[3]
Grapes produced	Chardonnay, Pinot noir[4][5]
No. of wineries	1[3]

Geography and climate

Wild Horse Valley AVA features two distinct sub-regions. To the west, the area is cooled by San Pablo Bay, although the elevation keeps the area above the fogline. The eastern half, being protected by the slope of the ground, is much warmer. The soil type is generally volcanic throughout the entire AVA.^[5]

History

Grapes were first planted in the area in the 1881.^[1] The current vineyard plantings date back to 1980, with commercial production starting in 1985.^[9]

Wild Horse Vineyard

The largest vineyard in the Wild Horse Valley AVA was the Wild Horse Vineyard of Napa Valley.^[10]
The recent wildfires destroyed the Wild Horse Valley vineyards.^{[citation needed]}