On the eastern slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains, the Diamond Mountain District shines with specks of volcanic glass and obsidian. Juxtaposed by the severe terrain and dense forest, only a small, dedicated group of winemakers have chosen to plant their vineyards here. The sun is fierce, pressing light into the fruit while high elevations keep them safe from the oppressive heat trapped on the valley floor. The wines, often made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc carry the intensity of an Emily Dickinson poem.
Our literary pairing for this renowned region is the most beloved American poet, Emily Dickinson. Like the Diamond Mountain District AVA wines, Dickinson’s subversive poems are full of captivating moments, and intense psychological explorations, and often defy convention as well as they honor it.
Bold as a heartbeat—Diamond Mountain District AVA wines
The northern part of Napa Valley is typically the hottest, but the elevations of the Diamond Mountain District, between 400 and 2,200 feet, protect the grapes from heat spikes, keeping them balanced throughout the growing season. The Diamond Creek River also offers a moderation influence, ushering in much-needed cool air to the vines growing on the hillsides.
The region is famously named after its soil, which is specked with porous volcanic glass material and obsidian. The terrain is challenging to cultivate, and much of the area is left undeveloped and covered by forest.
Those who choose to defy convention and work the steep slopes are rewarded with powerful wines with sturdy tannins and bright acidity. Blackberries haunt the tongue, dark cherry and blueberry murmur low, and like a Dickinson poem, an entire world is revealed with seemingly straightforward elements.
Diamond Mountain District told slant
Each year in the Diamond Mountain District is an entire world to itself, so we’ve paired each of our vintages with a Dickinson poem.
2019 – “Because I could not stop for Death”
The 2019 vintage was graced with a near-perfect growing season. The tannins are refined, the fruit restrained yet profound, much like Dickinson’s carriage ride throughout eternity—measured, patient, timeless.
2020 – “I Felt a Funeral in My Brain”
2020 left its mark on the vines—they bear the weight of struggle, having endured a year of fire and smoke, hardship and loss. As a result, the wines are structured, brooding, and resilient.
2021 – “Hope is the Thing with Feathers”
This vintage found warmth and clarity. The wines are vibrant and lifted with energy. Following 2020, these wines remind us of Dickinson’s ever-perching hope and steadfastness.
2022 – “A Light Exists in Spring”
This vintage was cloaked in sunshine and tempered by cool nights, producing balanced wines. Dickinson’s poem of ephemeral light mirrors the tensions in the 2022 wines: depth of fruit lifted by freshness, and warmth of sun softened by shadow.
2023 – “There’s a Certain Slant of Light”
Unpredictable weather set the stage for a vintage touched by extremes—heat, rain, and uncertainty. Like Dickinson’s infamous slanting light, the wines carry a spiritual gravity. They demand contemplation, their beauty edged with something unspoken.
On the page and in the bottle
Like the Diamond Mountain District AVA wines, Dickinson’s poems convey both light and darkness in ways that make an impact on the reader (or drinker). On the slopes of the Mayacamas, the vines don’t sprawl in ease, nor do they stretch in careless revelry. They climb, grip, endure, and are touched with a light, unlike others in the valley. As so, the wines—like those who love them—are as fierce as they are tender.