Mon Chevalier
Knights Valley
Mount Saint Helena overlooks the ‘Mon Chevalier’ vineyard in Knights Valley. The proximity of the mountain provides great air circulation which is comprised of cool Pacific Ocean breezes through the Chalk Hill Gap as well as from the Napa Valley, along with warm and dry breezes coming from Lake County. The unique weather pattern produces a longer ripening season, resulting in a more classic Bordeaux-like expression of the wine.
Located between two competing fog systems of Napa and Russian River Valleys, this region is typically cooler and windier than the ‘Morlet Estate’ vineyard in St. Helena and the ‘Cœur de Vallée’ vineyard in Oakville.
Situated from 490-575 feet in elevation, the vineyard is mapped as the Red Hills Clay Loam Series. This soil is an ideal combination of silt, sand, and clay. The surface horizon and upper subsoil have the texture of loam, while the lower subsoil contains substantially more clay. This translates to an age-worthy wine with power, richness, and more muscular tannins. The strong presence of the soft decomposing rhyolite (volcanic ash) provides excellent natural drainage and an enhanced sense of minerality.
