Mount Veeder

Mount Veeder AVA - Wines to Know

Like many of the mountain regions in Napa Valley, Mount Veeder has more than 50% of its 1000 acres planted with Cabernet Sauvignon. The combination of maritime influence from San Pablo Bay, paired with the high elevation, and the southeast aspect, means that the growing season for Cabernet Sauvignon is particularly long.

This leads to deeply colored Cabernets with high levels of fine-grained tannins, delicate blackberry, and even floral characters. Power and elegance in a bottle.

However, there are many other grapes planted here too, with Chardonnay and Malbec adding to the diverse range available. There are even some rarer varieties like Mondeuse, a grape from Savoie in France, and Sangiovese.

Mount Veeder wineries to know

Hess Collection - One of Mount Veeder’s oldest wineries with many different varieties including Grüner Veltliner.

Segassia Vineyards - 100% organic and sustainable focus.

Fontanella Family Winery - A small family winery with quite a story making wine on the mountain.

Lagier Meredith - Run by Dr. Carole Meredith who grows remarkable Mondeuse and Syrah on the mountain. Dr. Meredith was the first to discover Cabernet Sauvignon's lineage with her work at UC Davis.

Mount Veeder Winery – The first vineyard in Napa to plant the five major Bordeaux varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Malbec). Vintages go back to 1973.

Mount Veeder Facts

• Mount Veeder AVA was established in 1993.
• Mount Veeder is 15,000 acres with only 1000 acres planted due to the rugged terrain.
• Soils are primarily sandstone and shale derived from old seafloor, with some volcanic soil at the highest elevations.
• Mount Veeder AVA is the only one of the five Napa Valley mountain appellations that adjoin the cool Carneros District.
• Average yields here are only 2-2.5 tonnes/acre - about half the average in Napa.
• The highest vineyard is 2500 ft.