2010 Checkerboard Vineyard Kings Row Red Wine

Checkerboard Vineyards is on the southeastern slopes of Diamond Mountain. It was started by Dennis O’Neil, a Florida property developer, and Stephen Martin, a San Francisco businessman, who bought 300 acres. They make two cuvees, Checkerboard and Kings Row. Checkerboard is made in small quantities, about 300 cases a year, and is made of the most select blocks in the vineyards. The estate grows Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot and the winemaker is Martha McClellan, one of Napa's rising stars.The wines are generally available by mailing list.

Calistoga AVA is one of Napa Valley’s newer appellations, having been given appellation status in 2010. It is notable for its volcanic soil, which is unusual in the Napa Valley. Calistoga also experiences the greatest average 24-hour temperature swing of any Napa Valley AVAs, which Calistoga grape growers insist give the grapes time to “cool down” at night, making for better balanced wines. The 1,500 Calistoga vineyard acres are planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Syrah and Petite Sirah, along with smaller amounts of other varietals. Calistoga is at the northern end of Napa Valley, northwest of the Diamond District and St. Helena AVAs. Longtime winemaker Bo Barrett of Chateau Montelena, which is located in the Calistoga AVA, proposed the creation of the appellation.