Certainly great wines don't come from just anywhere! It may seem that a vineyard is passive and pastoral to the casual observer yet to the viticulturalist it is a powerful display of an ecosystem complete with powerful and lively factors. Yet factors such as grape variety, climate, soil, clone, rootstock, spacing, sun exposure, wind and more together and independently push and pull wine simultaneously in various directions. Like ingredients for a fabulous recipe these elements are brought together in many different patterns to have a magical effect on the aroma, flavor, mouth feel, body and finish of a wine.

Driving through the valley during February and March is particularly breathtaking even to the experienced local. Many vineyards use mustard as a cover crop which delights every passing eye with the neon yellow florals growing up between the dark bark of the bare rootstock. Mustard is one of Mother Nature's secrets acting as one of the natural or organic farming tricks that when tilled into the soil provides more nitrogen and nutrients to the root system of the vine. Napa Wine Company is the largest organic farmer in Napa Valley utilizing natural farming practices on 650 planted acres. More and more winemakers believe in using the preferred natural methods or sustainable agricultural practices in maintaining vineyards that produce world class wines.

As you take a joy ride next through Napa Valley, the bright yellow mustard that appears between the vines not only brings spring beauty to the eye but celebrations for the senses in grand style with the 12th Annual Mustard Festival that is currently in full swing with various events up and down Highway 29. Check out where you will find Napa Wine Company wines at various events on the "Events" page at www.napawineco.com.