Spring Mountain, located on the western side of Napa Valley, covers vineyards above the town of St. Helena. Plantings are on the eastern (Napa) side of the Mayacamas Mountains; 1000 acres are under vine, between 375 and 2500 feet above sea level. Soils are primarily volcanic rock, with some sandstone outcroppings as well. Cabernet Sauvignon is the principal variety, followed by Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petite Sirah, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, with traces of Riesling and Viognier. The Cabernets from Spring Mountain offer ripe plum and black currant fruit and rich, but elegant tannins; the wines are best after a few years on the bottle and age gracefully.

While Cabernet Sauvignon is the principal variety, there are a few artisan producers that do wonders with Chardonnay and Riesling. The famed Stony Hill winery was among the initial producer on Spring Mountain and their whites are among Napa's finest. Spring Mountain may be a Cabernet appellation in terms of total production, but it is not just another Napa Valley mountain appellation. (Wine/Appellations)