Vineyards
Paradise Hills Vineyard is located on the western foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains above Yountville in the cooler part of the Napa Valley. Grapes planted in this area take longer to mature on the vine allowing for riper tannins, darker pigmentation and deeply perfumed fruit. The vineyards are east and southeast facing, ideal for maximizing photosynthesis with intense morning sun and natural protection from the hot afternoon rays.
Climate
Heat summation charts Paradise Hills Vineyard temperatures from 3000 to 3500 degree – day per season for the past 10 years. The climate is a bit warmer than Bordeaux but the summer days are sunny and dry with cool nights. Temperatures swing 50 degrees in a 24-hour period, allowing full phenolic ripening of the grapes while maintaining a fresh acidity. Paradise Hills is cooled by constant breezes flowing from the cold waters of the San Pablo Bay. The grape berries tend to develop a thicker skin that protects them from dehydration.
Soils
Paradise Hills displays an almost textbook assortment of different soil that comprise ancient Pacific seabed formations of sandstone, shale, white volcanic tuffs, pyroclastic lava flows and clay.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is planted on the porous volcanic soils that produce wines with concentrated tannins and complex flavors.
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc is planted on an east facing slope of clay loam over fractured rocks at the top of the canyon. Natural protection from the hot afternoon sun allows the maturation of the grapes to be extended ten days later than valley floor or west facing vineyards.
Petit Verdot
Planted on the steepest East facing slopes at the end of the canyon, our Petit Verdot grapes are the last to be harvested from our Paradise Hills vineyard.
Merlot
Merlot is planted on a deep band of brown alluvial clay eroded from the mountain range. The steep slopes are facing North – North East and wrap around the South side of the canyon.
