Diamond Mountain Soil & Terrain
The Impact of Diamond Mountain Soil on Grape Growing
Diamond Mountain gets its name from the volcanic crystals and quartz that are sprinkled throughout the terrain. Most of the AVA’s geology is made of decomposed volcanic ash from ancient volcanic eruptions. Soils are generally much less fertile than the alluvium on the Napa Valley Floor to the east, or the sedimentary soils of Spring Mountain to the south.
Although Diamond Mountain’s soil is fairly homogenous compared to other AVAs, there is still quite a bit of variation depending on which direction a property faces. Vineyards facing north have red, oxidized soil made of volcanic cinders and debris. Most south facing soil is made of white, decomposed volcanic ash. There are also small sections of alluvium nestled in the mountain’s watersheds. This soil is sandy and gravelly.
Diamond Mountain encompasses more than 5,000 acres, but is only planted with 500 acres of vines. The low amount of vineyard acreage reflects the isolation and rugged landscape of the area. Because there is so little organic material in the soils of the AVA, vines are extremely stressed and produce a low amount of high quality fruit. The elevation of the region ranges between 400 and 2,300 feet above sea level.
> Diamond Mountain Wineries