The Diamond Mountain District is a wine region located in Napa Valley, California. It is particularly known for its high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux varietals. The district lies in the Mayacamas Mountains and got its name due to tiny, sparkling quartz fragments in the volcanic soil that resemble diamonds.
The region, recognized as an official American Viticultural Area since 1999, is home to several prestigious vineyards and wineries. It spans over 5,000 acres with approximately 500 acres of vineyards, planted mainly at elevations between 400 and 2,200 feet.
Due to the mountainous and rocky terrain, the vines in the Diamond Mountain District are planted on hillsides. The soil, derived from volcanic ash, is shallow, well-drained and studded with small rocks, making it ideal for growing concentrated, powerful, full-bodied wines with long-ageing potential. The mountain location also provides the vines with plenty of sun exposure, promoting ripening, while the high elevation protects them from the fog that often blankets the valley floor, causing significant temperature variations that contribute to complex flavor profiles in the grapes.
The Diamond Mountain District has a reputation for producing wines with bold, powerful flavors and firm tannic structures, making them excellent candidates for extended cellar ageing.
