Quick Facts About the Atlas Peak Appellation Atlas Peak was approved as an American Viticultural Area in 1992. The appellation is named after the highest point in the region - Atlas Peak - at 2,663 feet above sea level. The peak juts out of the Vaca Range, the mountains that form the Napa Valley's eastern side. Known as a mountain appellation, the region ranges in elevation from 760 to 2,663 feet. Atlas Peak Appellation is located primarily within the Soda Canyon and Foss Valley areas, northeast of the town of Napa, east of Yountville and above the foothills of the Stags Leap District. Access into and out of the appellation is via one of two roads - Soda Canyon Road, immediately off of Silverado Trail, and a bit south, Atlas Peak Road, off of Hardman Lane. Both roads dead end approximately eight to 10 miles from the base of the region on Silverado Trail. Total acreage of the appellation is 11,400. Total vineyard acreage is 1,500 - which represents less than a third of a percent of all the acreage planted in the Napa Valley. General climate of the Atlas Peak Appellation is characterized by cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers with temperatures four to 10 degrees cooler than the Napa Valley floor. A cool mountain-influenced area usually above the fog line, the region gets full sunlight throughout the day, with nighttime drops in temperature. Due to the sheer size and varied microclimates of the region, temperatures can vary greatly. Rainfall averages 38 inches annually. Soils are rocky and volcanic in origin, basaltic red in color and tending to be shallow and well-drained. Steep slopes, thin soils and large areas of rock outcrop are the norm. The appellation's signature variety is cabernet sauvignon, though other varietals grown in the region include merlot, cabernet franc, petit verdot, zinfandel, syrah, and chardonnay. There are currently 19 grower members of the official trade organization representing the region - the Atlas Peak Appellation Association. They are: Ardente Winery, Artesa Winery, Astrale e Terra, Atlas Peak, Bella Quercia Vineyard, Bialla Vineyards, Bianchini Family Vineyard, Circle S Ranch, Cobblestone Vineyards, Dominari, Dos Lagos Vineyards, Elan Vineyards, Hill Family Estate, Jocelyn Lonen Winery, Rivera Vineyards, Tjian Family Vineyards, Soda Canyon Ranch Vineyards, Stagecoach Vineyards/Krupp Brothers Estate and VinRoc Wine Caves. Most of the members produce and market their own wines, in addition to selling their grapes to other wineries in the area including Caymus, Artesa, Pahlmeyer, Paul Hobbs, ZD, Cardinale, Cain, Duckhorn, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, Stags Leap Winery, Keenan and Silver Oak, among numerous others. An estimated 10-20 other wine grape growers also farm vineyards within the appellation, choosing to sell their fruit to others. Several grower members also operate their own wineries, wine caves and tasting rooms within the appellation, some of which are open by appointment only - Elan Vineyards, VinRoc Wine Caves, Jocelyn Lonen Winery and Bialla Vineyards. Other appellation member wines can be tasted at various locations throughout the Napa Valley including cooperative tasting rooms in the towns of Napa, Yountville and St. Helena. The Association's Web site is: www.atlaspeakappellation.com.