Perched above the fog line on Napa Valley’s eastern Vaca Range, Howell Mountain AVA is a region that redefines what mountain-grown Cabernet can be. Recognized as Napa Valley’s first sub-AVA in 1983, Howell Mountain produces wines that are bold, structured, and built to age, thanks to its rugged terrain, volcanic soils, and high-elevation climate. For wine lovers seeking intensity and longevity, Howell Mountain is simply legendary.
Located northeast of St. Helena, the Howell Mountain AVA sits entirely above 1,400 feet in elevation, with some vineyards reaching heights of 2,500 feet. This elevated position puts it above the morning fog and below the marine layer, giving vines long hours of sun while remaining cooler overall than the valley floor.
With slopes overlooking Pope Valley and the greater Napa Valley basin, Howell Mountain combines isolation, elevation, and extreme terroir for a distinctive growing environment.
Howell Mountain’s elevation creates a unique cooler-yet-sunnier climate. Unlike lower regions, it gets little fog or wind, allowing grapes to enjoy consistent light while ripening slowly and steadily.
Key climatic traits:
Warm days with mild temperatures due to elevation
Cool, clear nights that retain acidity
Extended growing season, enhancing depth and complexity
Significant diurnal temperature swings
This leads to intensely flavored grapes with thick skins, producing red wines that are tannic, structured, and long-lived.
The soils of Howell Mountain are primarily volcanic in origin, consisting of:
Tuff, basalt, and iron-rich red clay
Well-drained and rocky terrain
Low fertility, which limits yields and increases concentration
Vines must work hard here, digging deep through fractured rock to find nutrients and moisture. This stress results in low yields of intensely flavored, small berries that are ideal for premium winemaking.
While Howell Mountain is best known for Cabernet Sauvignon, the region excels with several red varietals due to its intense growing conditions.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Powerful and age-worthy, these wines deliver dark fruit (black cherry, currant), graphite, earth, and forest floor notes with firm tannins and structure that allow them to age gracefully for decades.
Merlot
Plush and savory, Merlot from Howell Mountain is bolder and spicier than valley-floor expressions.
Zinfandel
Old vines and high elevation give Zinfandel a wild, brambly character, balanced by mountain acidity.
Petite Sirah
Dark, tannic, and intensely concentrated—perfect for blending or standing alone.
Most wines from Howell Mountain are structured, savory, and built for the cellar, appealing to collectors and serious red wine lovers.
Howell Mountain’s remote roads and rugged hillsides make visiting a rewarding and serene experience, often far from the bustle of busier Napa tasting routes. Many wineries are appointment-only, offering intimate tastings with sweeping valley views and vineyard tours.
Top producers include:
Dunn Vineyards – Legendary for long-lived, structured Cabernet
O’Shaughnessy Estate – Stylish mountain reds with finesse
Robert Craig Winery – Known for powerful, terroir-driven Cabernet
Ladera Vineyards – Historic estate producing elegant hillside wines
Black Sears Estate – Napa’s highest vineyard, specializing in Zinfandel and Cab
Each visit offers a deep dive into mountain viticulture, and a look at the dedication required to farm these steep, rocky sites.
Howell Mountain AVA represents the pinnacle of mountain winemaking in Napa Valley. Its high-altitude vineyards, volcanic soils, and cooler climate give rise to wines of unmatched depth, structure, and aging ability.
This is not an AVA for delicate sippers—these are bold, confident wines, built with strength and soul, made to evolve over time. For wine enthusiasts who admire Cabernet with serious bones and a story to tell, Howell Mountain is a name to remember.
