The wines of Chiles Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA) might not be the first that comes to mind when you think of Napa Valley. Relatively isolated from the rest of the valley, the region possesses a quiet, wild atmosphere with sparsely populated vineyards—many of which are unaccompanied by tasting rooms. The land is the main character of this region, and a closer reading of the place reveals a rich history paired with a counter-culture winemaking ethos. As we’ll see, its geographical isolation has helped to preserve it, making it home to some of the oldest Zinfandel vines in the state.
The Chiles Valley AVA wines seem to swim upstream, and so we pair them with one of the great writers, naturalists, and oddballs in literature: Henry David Thoreau. His work embraces nonconformity and individualism, imploring us to walk deliberately into the wild to encounter our true selves.
The Self-Reliance of Chiles Valley AVA Wines
Often considered outside of Napa Valley “proper”, Chiles Valley winemakers pursue authenticity and individuality in the quality of their wines. The appellation is a thin stretch of land on the eastern side of the Vaca mountain range.
Thoreau would agree that we see ourselves reflected in nature, and the wines of Chiles Valley would add: as are the wines. The vineyards are planted to high elevations in a valley circled by mountain peaks—this important feature traps and holds heat over the grapevines so that they develop bold, dramatic flavors. This heat is balanced by cool breezes from the Pacific Ocean, leading to a long growing season that allows the grapes to double down on their weight and concentration of flavor.
The soils are marine in origin; mostly clay-foam with some volcanic outcroppings. Together these soils help the vines retain the necessary water and mineral character that make wines of fully developed character.
The geographical isolation might be a little intimidating, but in the 1890s when phylloxera arrived to California, it was a saving grace. While over 80% of the vineyards in Napa Valley were decimated, the vines of Chiles Valley were largely untouched by the disease. There are still some prephylloxera Zinfandel vines in the region today, artifacts of American history and wine alike.
Moving Deliberately Through The Seasons
Like the grapevines of the Chiles Valley AVA, Thoreau’s work is centered around the changing of seasons, so we’ve paired a quote from Walden with each season in the grapevines’ life.
In winter, the cold temperatures cause the vines to go dormant; all of the energy moves into the roots and the winemakers take this opportunity to prune. “One must maintain a little bit of summer, even in the middle of winter.”
In the spring, bud break marks the start of the growing season, characterized by tiny green leaves—a sign that the vines have woken up and will soon flower, then yield berries. “Walden was dead and is alive again. The brooks sing carols and glees to the spring, and the frogs pipe the national airs. The grass flames up on the hillsides like a spring fire.”
In summer, intensifying temperatures ripen the grapes, allowing them to develop flavor and structure. “In such a day, in June, the ponds were remarkable for their warm shadows and reflected summer skies. The water was a perfect mirror, which at the same time reflected and revealed.”
Fall is the time for harvest and transformation. Grapes are ripe for the picking and ready to be made into wine. “At length the sun’s rays have attained the charm of perfect maturity. They shed an amber light on the village street and the forest-skirted meadow. The year is no longer in its infancy.”
Connecting with nature through wine
Walden is Thoreau’s most famous work, and is a result of moving to a cabin for two years, two months, and two days to explore living a life of purpose and simplicity while seeking harmony with the natural world. Let each sip of the Chiles Valley AVA wines be a mini-retreat, a moment of connection to the power and beauty of the natural world.