Spring Mountain Vineyard: A Guide to Napa Valley's Premier Winery

Spring Mountain Vineyard is a privately owned estate located in the Napa Valley region of California. The estate is comprised of four historic vineyards that were first planted to vine in the late 1800s. The vineyards are situated on hillside terraces, which provide breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Spring Mountain Vineyard produces only estate bottled wines, which are highly regarded for their quality and unique flavor profiles.

Guests who visit Spring Mountain Vineyard can experience its artisan wines in settings of breathtaking beauty that reflect the history and ambience of a vineyard estate established in the 1880s. The estate's hillside terraces, historic caves, and heirloom gardens still evoke an era when daily life was slow and tied to the land. Visitors can take a tour of the estate and learn about the history of the vineyards and the winemaking process. They can also sample the estate's wines in a tasting room that offers stunning views of the surrounding hillsides.

Spring Mountain Vineyard is one of the more photogenic wineries in all of Napa Valley. The estate is located just outside of the St. Helena town limits, off of the narrow, windy Spring Mountain Road connecting St. Helena to the city of Santa Rosa to the west. The oldest winery on this sizable property burned down, but the estate has since been rebuilt and continues to produce some of the best wines in the region.

History of Spring Mountain Vineyard

Spring Mountain Vineyard is a privately owned estate located in Napa Valley, California. The vineyard is comprised of four historic vineyards that were first planted to vine in the late 1800s. The vineyards were established by European immigrants who looked above the valley floor to the hillsides to plant their vineyards.

During the Prohibition era, the vineyard was forced to shut down its operations, and the property was eventually sold to Henry Hummel in 1939. Hummel had previously helped sell La Perla's grapes to private buyers in New York during Prohibition. Hummel's first interaction with the winery occurred in 1929, a decade before he purchased the property.

In 1940, the vineyard was purchased by a group of investors who formed the Spring Mountain Vineyards Company. The company replanted the vineyards and built a winery on the property. However, the winery was forced to shut down operations during World War II due to a shortage of labor and supplies.

In 1968, the vineyard was purchased by Jacob Safra, a Swiss banker, and his wife Lily. They replanted the vineyards and restored the winery, and in 1976, Spring Mountain Vineyard was in fourth place among French and American wines at the historic Judgment of Paris wine competition. Today, only estate-bottled wines are produced at Spring Mountain Vineyard, and the vineyard is known for its high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chardonnay.

Geographical Location

Spring Mountain Vineyard is a world-renowned winery located in the Napa Valley region of California, USA. The winery is situated at an elevation of 400 to 1,600 feet above sea level on the eastern slopes of the Spring Mountain range. The vineyard spans across 845 acres of land, with 225 acres dedicated to vineyards consisting of 135 different blocks.

The Spring Mountain District AVA, where the winery is located, was officially established in 1993 and is known for its unique microclimate and soil composition, which is ideal for growing premium wine grapes. The district is situated on the western side of the Mayacamas Mountains and is characterized by steep hillsides, rugged terrain, and varied elevations.

The winery is located just outside of the St. Helena town limits, off of the narrow and winding Spring Mountain Road that connects St. Helena to the city of Santa Rosa to the west. The estate is surrounded by lush forests, rolling hills, and breathtaking views of the Napa Valley. The winery's hillside terraces, historic caves, and heirloom gardens still evoke an era when daily life was slow and tied to the land.

Spring Mountain Vineyard is one of the more photogenic wineries in all of Napa Valley, thanks to its unique location and stunning views. The winery's location and elevation allow for a cooler climate, which helps to produce grapes with concentrated flavors and balanced acidity. The vineyard's unique terroir, combined with the winery's dedication to quality and sustainability, has earned Spring Mountain Vineyard a reputation as one of the top wineries in the Napa Valley region.

Vineyard Characteristics

Soil Composition

Spring Mountain Vineyard is located in the Spring Mountain District AVA of Napa Valley, which is known for its diverse soil composition. The vineyard's 225 acres of planted vines are divided into 135 individual hillside blocks, each with unique soil, exposure, and microclimate characteristics. The soils range from volcanic ash to sedimentary rock, with elevations ranging from 400 to 1,600 feet above sea level.

The vineyard's soils are well-draining, which helps to stress the vines and produce small, concentrated berries. The vineyard team also uses cover crops and compost to maintain soil health and fertility.

Climate

The Spring Mountain District AVA is characterized by a cooler climate than other parts of Napa Valley due to its higher elevation and proximity to the coast. The vineyard experiences a diurnal shift, with warm days and cool nights that allow the grapes to ripen slowly and retain acidity.

The vineyard's location on the western side of Spring Mountain also provides protection from the afternoon sun, which can be intense in Napa Valley. This cooler climate and protection from the sun allow for a longer growing season, which contributes to the development of complex flavors in the grapes.

Vine Varieties

Spring Mountain Vineyard is dedicated to producing Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux blending varieties, which are well-suited to the vineyard's soil and climate. The vineyard's signature wine is Elivette, a Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot.

In addition to these red varieties, the vineyard also produces Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. The Chardonnay is barrel-fermented with sur-lie-batonnage, which adds complexity and richness to the wine. The Sauvignon Blanc is also barrel-fermented and has a bright, citrusy character.

Wine Production

Harvesting Process

Spring Mountain Vineyard follows a rigorous harvesting process to ensure the grapes are of the highest quality. Grapes are harvested by hand, which allows for the selection of only the best grapes. The vineyard team carefully inspects each grape cluster to ensure the grapes are fully mature and free of any defects. The grapes are then sorted and destemmed before being sent to the winery for processing.

Wine Making Techniques

Spring Mountain Vineyard uses a combination of traditional and modern wine making techniques to produce their wines. The grapes are crushed and then fermented in stainless steel tanks. The winemakers carefully monitor the fermentation process to ensure the wine develops the desired flavor profile. Once the fermentation is complete, the wine is transferred to oak barrels for aging.

Aging Process

Spring Mountain Vineyard ages their wines in oak barrels for an average of 18 months. The winemakers carefully select the type of oak used for aging to ensure it complements the wine's flavor profile. During the aging process, the wine develops additional complexity and depth of flavor. After aging, the wine is bottled and allowed to age for an additional 6-12 months before it is released.

Overall, Spring Mountain Vineyard's wine production process is focused on quality and attention to detail. From the careful selection of grapes to the use of traditional and modern wine making techniques, the winemakers at Spring Mountain Vineyard are dedicated to producing exceptional wines.

Wine Varieties and Tastings

Red Wines

Spring Mountain Vineyard is known for producing high-quality red wines, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon. The estate's 225 acres of vineyards are divided into 135 individual hillside blocks, each with unique soil, exposure, and microclimate characteristics. These factors contribute to the complexity and depth of the red wines produced by Spring Mountain Vineyard.

In addition to Cabernet Sauvignon, the estate also produces other Bordeaux blending varieties such as Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc. The winemakers at Spring Mountain Vineyard carefully hand-select grapes from each block to create unique blends that showcase the terroir of the estate.

White Wines

While Spring Mountain Vineyard is primarily known for its red wines, the estate also produces a limited amount of white wine. Chardonnay is the primary white grape variety grown on the estate, and the winemakers use traditional techniques to create a rich, complex wine with a balance of fruit and acidity.

Wine Tasting Experience

Visitors to Spring Mountain Vineyard can enjoy a variety of wine tasting experiences, including tastings of current releases, library wines, and barrel samples. The estate's tasting room offers stunning views of the surrounding vineyards and mountains, making it the perfect place to relax and enjoy a glass of wine.

Guests can also take a tour of the estate and learn about the history of Spring Mountain Vineyard and the winemaking process. Private tastings and tours are available by appointment, and the estate can also accommodate larger groups for special events.

Overall, Spring Mountain Vineyard offers a unique and memorable wine tasting experience for visitors. With a focus on quality and a commitment to showcasing the terroir of the estate, the winemakers at Spring Mountain Vineyard have created a portfolio of exceptional wines that are sure to please even the most discerning palate.

Visiting the Vineyard

Spring Mountain Vineyard is a beautiful estate located in St. Helena, California, that offers a unique experience for wine enthusiasts. Visitors can enjoy the breathtaking scenery while tasting artisan wines and learning about the history and ambience of the vineyard estate.

Tours and Experiences

Spring Mountain Vineyard offers a variety of tours and experiences for visitors to choose from, including a Classic Tasting, a Library Tasting, and a Cave Tour and Tasting. Each experience is designed to showcase the unique characteristics of the estate's wines and the history of the vineyard.

The Classic Tasting includes a selection of current release wines and is perfect for those who want to taste the best of what Spring Mountain Vineyard has to offer. The Library Tasting is a more exclusive experience that features older vintages and limited production wines. The Cave Tour and Tasting takes visitors on a tour of the estate's caves, where they can learn about the winemaking process and enjoy a tasting of the estate's wines.

Events

Spring Mountain Vineyard also hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including wine release parties, food and wine pairing events, and winemaker dinners. These events are a great way to experience the estate's wines and learn more about the winemaking process.

Accommodation

While Spring Mountain Vineyard does not offer accommodation on-site, there are many options available nearby. Visitors can choose from a variety of hotels, bed and breakfasts, and vacation rentals in the St. Helena area. Some popular options include the Harvest Inn by Charlie Palmer, the Wydown Hotel, and the Wine Country Inn & Cottages.

Overall, Spring Mountain Vineyard is a must-visit destination for wine lovers who want to experience the beauty and history of the Napa Valley. With a variety of tours and experiences, as well as events throughout the year, visitors are sure to have a memorable experience at this stunning estate.

Spring Mountain Vineyard in the Media

Spring Mountain Vineyard has been featured in various media outlets over the years. The estate's rich history and exceptional wines have caught the attention of journalists and wine critics alike. Here are some highlights of Spring Mountain Vineyard's media coverage:

Decanter

In a producer profile article published in Decanter in February 2023, wine critic Jonathan Cristaldi highlighted Spring Mountain Vineyard's emergence as an important winery in Napa's rise as a world-class wine-growing region. Cristaldi praised the estate's commitment to producing only estate-bottled wines and recommended ten of its best wines to try.

Spring Mountain Vineyard Website

Spring Mountain Vineyard's website features a media coverage page that showcases the estate's recent appearances in various publications. The page includes links to articles from Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, and Forbes, among others. The articles cover a range of topics, from the estate's history and winemaking philosophy to its latest releases and accolades.

SOMM TV

In an article published on SOMM TV in August 2021, writer and sommelier Christopher Sawyer explored the identity of Spring Mountain Vineyard and its three separate properties. Sawyer delved into the estate's history, dating back to 1872, and its current winemaking practices. The article also included tasting notes for some of Spring Mountain Vineyard's wines.

Spring Mountain Vineyard's media coverage reflects its status as a respected and recognized winery in Napa Valley. The estate's commitment to producing high-quality, estate-bottled wines has earned it praise from critics and wine enthusiasts alike.