Diamond Mountain District AVA

Diamond Mountain District
Wine region
TypeAmerican Viticultural Area
Year established2001
Years of wine industry158
CountryUnited States
Part ofCalifornia, North Coast AVA, Napa County, Napa Valley AVA
Other regions in California, North Coast AVA, Napa County, Napa Valley AVALos Carneros AVA, Howell Mountain AVA, Wild Horse Valley AVA, Stags Leap District AVA, Mt. Veeder AVA, Coombsville AVA Atlas Peak AVA, Spring Mountain District AVA, Oakville AVA, Rutherford AVA, St. Helena AVA, Chiles Valley AVA, Yountville AVA, Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley AVA, Calistoga AVA
Growing season232 days
Climate regionRegion I-II
Heat units2,018-2,894 GDD units
Precipitation (annual average)55 inches (1,397 mm)
Soil conditionsResidual upland soils derived from volcanic parent material
Total area5,000 acres (8 sq mi)
Size of planted vineyards500 acres (202 ha)
No. of vineyards41
Grapes producedCabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Sauvignon Blanc
No. of wineries47

Diamond Mountain District is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in Napa County California in the northwest portion of the Napa Valley landform and appellation. It was established as the nation's 145th, the state's 87th and the county's twelfth AVA on June 1, 2001 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by Rudy von Strasser of Von Strasser Winery, on behalf of the Diamond Mountain Appellation Committee, representing 15 growers and vintners proposing a viticultural area in Napa Valley named "Diamond Mountain."

The AVA boundaries are defined by the Napa-Sonoma county line to the west, Petrified Forest to the north, the 400-foot (122 m) line of altitude running parallel to Route 29 on the east, and the Spring Mountain District to the south. This places the southern part of the city of Calistoga in the appellation, with the northern part located in the Calistoga AVA since 2010. The appellation sits at a higher elevation than most of Napa Valley's wine region, resulting in less cool fog coming in from San Pablo Bay, and more direct exposure to sunlight. The soil is also very porous which allows it to cool down quickly despite the increased sunlight.