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2023 Rattlesnake Ridge
Petite Syrah

Howell Mountain

Above St. Helena on the north-eastern ridge of Napa Valley, the Petite Syrah from the certified organic Rattlesnake Ridge Vineyard is another fantastic expression of Howell Mountain. Dark, powerful, inky, funky; this high-elevation, sun-drenched yet cool and windy site brings out the best characteristics of Petite Syrah.

Profoundly perfumed nose of ink, purple fruits, wildflowers, mountain air, and roast game. Incredibly intense on the palate, dense and layered; serve with well-seasoned, roast or grilled and herbed lamb or other flavorful game. Generously decant or lay down for decades to come.

Retail Price:: $66.00
Member Price:: $56.10 Learn More

The Mountain Above the Valley

Perched nearly 2,600 feet above sea level, this remarkable Howell Mountain site ranks among the highest-elevation vineyards in Napa County. High above the valley fog, the vines are rooted in ancient red volcanic soils and pockets of tufa—porous remnants of eruptions that shaped the mountain millions of years ago.

The rocky terrain and mountain climate create naturally small yields and intensely concentrated fruit. Warm, sunlit days and cool nights preserve freshness while building depth and complexity. The resulting wines are powerful yet refined, offering layers of dark berry fruit, wild herbs, baking spice, and a distinctive mineral character that reflects their volcanic origins. A true expression of mountain viticulture, shaped by altitude, geology, and time.

Technical Notes

AVA: Napa Valley
Sub-AVA: Howell Mountain
Soil: Tufa, red volcanics
Elevation: 2,400’
Planted: 1999
Varieties: Petite Syrah
Viticulture: Certified organic, hand harvested
Fermentation: Native yeast
Barrels: 80% used oak, 20% new; 80% French oak, 20% American
Elevage: 15 months in barrel, bottled unfined and unfiltered
First Turley Vintage: 2005
Serving Temperature: 60-65ºF

Rattlesnake Ridge

Rising nearly 2,600 feet above sea level on the rugged crest of Howell Mountain, Rattlesnake Ridge is among the highest-elevation vineyards in all of Napa County. From its windswept perch above the valley floor, the vineyard feels worlds apart from Napa's more familiar landscapes—a place defined by stark beauty, dramatic vistas, and ancient volcanic origins.

Beneath the vines lies a mosaic of red volcanic soils and pale tufa deposits, remnants of a violent geological past. Millions of years ago, volcanic eruptions blanketed the region in ash, lava, and fractured rock. Over time, these materials weathered into the distinctive iron-rich red soils that dominate Howell Mountain today, while pockets of porous tufa—formed from compacted volcanic ash—remain scattered throughout the site. These rocky, low-vigor soils naturally restrict vine growth, forcing roots deep into the mountainside in search of water and nutrients. The result is fruit of remarkable concentration, intensity, and character.

The elevation shapes the vineyard as profoundly as the soils. Bathed in brilliant sunlight above the fog line yet tempered by cool mountain nights, the vines experience a long, measured growing season. This dramatic diurnal shift preserves freshness and acidity while allowing flavors to develop slowly and completely. The mountain air carries the scent of sun-warmed chaparral, pine, and wild sage; the rocky slopes radiate heat by day and release it after dusk, creating a uniquely balanced environment for ripening.

The wines of Rattlesnake Ridge capture the essence of this extreme site. Dark blackberry, mountain blueberry, and black cherry are layered with notes of crushed rock, baking spice, cedar, and wild herbs. Powerful yet precise, they possess a distinctive mineral tension and structural depth that speak directly to the vineyard's volcanic origins. Both commanding and graceful, Rattlesnake Ridge stands as one of Napa Valley's most compelling expressions of mountain-grown Zinfandel and Petite Syrah—wines shaped by altitude, ancient geology, and an unwavering sense of place.

2023 Rattlesnake Ridge
Petite Syrah

The Mountain Above the Valley

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2023 Rattlesnake Ridge Petite Syrah

The Mountain Above the Valley

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2023 Rattlesnake Ridge
Petite Syrah