Chiles Valley AVA
A small 6,000-acre California AVA that’s a subzone of the Napa Valley AVA. Approved in 1999, it’s located east of the towns of St. Helena and Calistoga and southeast of the Howell Mountain AVA. The surrounding hills block the fog that the Napa Valley receives, which means Chiles Valley is hotter and has a shorter growing season. Zinfandel is the grape that grows best in this area, although Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc can also DO well.
The New Wine Lovers Companion, 2nd Edition, by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst. Copyright © (1) 2003, 1995 by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst. Reprinted by arrangement with Barron's Educational Series, Inc.