Chiles Valley

Hidden high up in Napa County's eastern Vaca range, just south of Pope Valley is a long narrow valley of particular climate and specific soils Ð this is the Chiles Valley district of Napa's wine country. Far from the hustle and bustle of the Napa Valley wine tour circuit on the Silverado Trail is the secluded Chiles Valley AVA, perfect for a more serene wine country tour. The unique watershed and profile of the alluvial soils make Chiles Valley the perfectly challenging locale to stress Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Zinfandel vines, forcing them, under duress to yield complex fruits and produce fine wines. Like its better-established neighbor to the east, Howell Mountain, Chiles Valley is poised to take its rightful place among the Napa Wine Country's best known and loved appellations.

Booking your San Francisco tours to the wine country ahead of time ensures a tour selection that most suits your needs. Smaller group wine country tours offer more intimacy and usually visit less commercial wineries allowing you at times to meet the winemaker or the family that runs the winery.