Total Trail Miles: 14.4
The Howell Mountain AVA a rugged high altitude appellation that sits on the eastern slopes of Napa Valley along the Vaca Range. Well-drained volcanic soils and cooler mountain temperatures contribute to the production of complex, earthy Bordeaux Varietals and Zinfandels.
Vineyards: 15
Total Area: 13,066 acres
Planted Area: 111 acres
Percent Planted: 0.9 %
Planted Varietals of Howell Mountain
Cabernet Sauvignon: 69.16%
Zinfandel: 19.27%
Petite Sirah (Durif): 4.32%
Merlot: 3.71%
Cabernet Franc: 1.74%
Malbec: 0.92%
Petit Verdot: 0.9%
Start the trail on top of the mountain at a winery named after its remote location. Outpost sits 2200 feet off the valley floor on a 42-acre estate and makes wine from fruit growing in red rocky volcanic soils. Outpost takes great pride producing small lots of handcrafted estate Cabernet, Zinfandel, Grenache and a Petite Sirah. Taste outside along a well-positioned terrace or inside a Howard Backen designed tasting salon-both with incredible views to the west.
Work your way back down Summit Drive until it connects with White Cottage Road (O'shaughnessy will send detail directions from this point forward upon securing a reservation). Completed in 2003, this beautiful state of the art winery and cave facility is a harmonious integration of structure to land and a welcome addition to Howell Mountain. O’shaughnessy produces a Cabernet Sauvignon from their estate on Howell Mountain and another from the steeper slopes of Mount Veeder. These are exceptional wines and a winery to keep your eye on.
Continue down White Cottage Road until you reach a beautifully restored Ghost Winery on the right. Ladera is another Howell Mountain winery with Minnesota roots (O'shaughnessy is the other) that sources fruit from both Howell Mountain and Mt. Veeder. The winery retained its original gravity flow system upon renovation in an effort to reduce fruit damage during crush and enhance quality inside the bottle. Ladera produces a value Cabernet, a premium estate Cabernet and a delicious food friendly Sauvignon Blanc.
Final stop, Cade. Continue south on White Cottage until your reach Sunset about three quarters of a mile down, make a left and then another when you reach Howell Mountain Road-the entrance to Cade is a quarter mile away. This winery is one of Napa's newest and clearly, the greenest. The sweeping entry drive provides an informative perspective of the estate and a perfect appetizer for spectacular views upon arrival. Taste seductive Howell Mountain Cabernets, blends and a delicious Sauvignon Blanc in a casual lounging environment surrounded by floor to ceiling windows. Cade farms organically and received an LEED Gold certificate for their innovative structure.
Dine at Meadowood Grill (707) 968-3144.
Cade | Howell Mountain AVA
