Midway up the Napa Valley lies the celebrated district of Rutherford, home to the famous Rutherford bench--a flat plain of gravelly, well-drained, alluvial soils on either side of the Napa River.

Thomas Rutherford planted the first local grapes during the mid-19th century, thus beginning the history of Rutherford Wineries. He also gave the region its name. Part of Thomas Rutherford’s original land is now owned by Provenance Vineyards.

Rutherford Wine is produced in a very similar climate as its neighbors. However, there are differences; Rutherford Wine Country is slightly warmer and local Cabernet Sauvignon tends to be a bit earthier and often requires more time in the bottle to fully develop.

Rutherford wineries produce some of the best red wines in the world, and the warm climate and well-drained soils make it perfect for growing the traditional red Bordeaux varietals.

Beaulieu and the original Napanook Estate (now Niebaum Coppola) are historic stalwarts while relative newcomers such as Freemark Abbey, Staglin, Peju, Flora Springs, and many, many more highlight a very deep "bench" of world class producers. (Wine/Appellations)