In the northern part of the Napa Valley, St. Helena American Viticultural Area (AVA) is in a dramatic hourglass shape. With mountains surrounding on either side, diverse soils, and plenty of distance from San Pablo Bay, the region is consistently warm compared to others in the Napa Valley. Fewer temperature swings from day to night means more seasonal consistency with long, sunny growing seasons.
The result is that the wines here are concentrated, decadent, bold, and dramatic. They are legendary and timeless, and so we’re pairing St. Helena AVA wines with the most dramatically recited playwright and poet in the world: William Shakespeare. The wine is as bold as the wigs are tall, and even though the fashion has changed, the timeless nature of Shakespeare’s stories remains.
The Thematic Richness of St. Helena AVA Wines
Just as Shakespeare masterfully balances love and tragedy, the wines of St. Helena embody rich flavors alongside bright acidity and velvety tannins. This tension is what makes a captivating story in literature and wine alike. It’s thanks to these several factors that the wines achieve this balance: soil diversity, sunshine and warmth, and topography.
St. Helena AVA is shaped like an hourglass by the surrounding Mayacamas and Vaca mountain ranges—an image that reminds us of a bodice that, perhaps, Lady Macbeth wore. The unique shape also makes St. Helena the narrowest part of the Napa Valley, where heat is trapped, giving grapes the warmth they need to ripen to fullness. The flavor profiles of the wines here contain immense fruit, alcohol, and structure.
The diverse geological profile along the gravel floor contributes to the unique terroir and micro-climates within the area. Volcanic soils in the east impart minerality and structure, while gravelly loam offers excellent drainage and concentrated fruit. Ancient alluvial fans, formed by millennia of erosion from surrounding mountains, exist on both sides of the valley, enabling the cultivation of many different grape varietals. As a result, St. Helena is prolific, like Shakespeare.
St. Helena In A Sonnet
The only thing more romantic than a bottle of rich Cabernet is a Shakespearian sonnet—why not memorize one to impress guests with at your next party? We think that the best sonnet to embody the wines of St. Helena is the famous, “Shall I compare thee to a summers’ day?”
With vivid imagery and eternal appeal, the sonnet immortalizes the subject’s beauty, just as the wines of St. Helena aim to express a sense of place for years to come. The poem is bold, yet undercut with softness, revealing layers of complexity to be found only with repetition.
Thy eternal summer shall not fade,
Nor lose possession of that fair thou owest
This couplet reminds us of the warm, sunny climate of St. Helena which leaves an indelible mark on the wines. We’re reminded that things crafted with care and love can transcend time. From the ancient geological elements of this unique AVA to the age-worthy wines that are made by an abundance of sunshine, these wines are powerful, spiritual, and refined.