Mount St. John, California, USA
Photo (c) 2006 Andrew Alden, licensed to About.com (fair use policy)
Mount St. John overlooks the central Napa Valley winegrowing towns of Rutherford and Oakville, its waters and sediments contributing to their fields' particular terroir. It is a distinct peak in the Mayacamas Mountains that flank the valley on the west, composed largely of marine sedimentary rocks. This view is from Mount Veeder Road just after harvest. For deeper insight into the relation between Napa's rocks and wines, see The Winemaker's Dance by geologists Jonathan Swinchatt and David Howell.
