Checkerboard Vineyards

About Us:

CHECKERBOARD VINEYARDS is located on the Southeastern slopes of Diamond Mountain at the Northern end of the Napa Valley. The 300 acre estate has four vineyard developments, each with its own elevation, exposure, and soil composition. The estate vineyard development areas are connected by a two and one half mile drive from the Valley floor to the Ridge of Diamond Mountain through dense forests of Redwood, Douglas fir, Madrone and Oak.

The 13 acre Aurora Vineyard is located at 1200 feet. It sits in its own small valley formed by a large red clay and basalt rock knoll. The vineyard was originally planted forty years ago to Chardonnay, then replanted in 2001 with a combination of Cabernet Sauvignon as well as small Merlot and Petit Verdot blocks. The Cabernet and Merlot Blocks enjoy a warm Southern exposure from dawn until sunset. The Petit Verdot has an Eastern exposure and is planted in deep gravel and volcanic ash. The CHECKERBOARD VINEYARDS Winery and Caves are nestled within the enchanting private valley in the Aurora Vineyard.

The 6 acre Coyote Run Vineyard is located below the Aurora Vineyard at the 900 foot elevation. Coyote Run Vineyard enjoys the same mineral rich red clay and shattered basalt rocky soils as Aurora, and the same Southern exposure.

Nash Creek Vineyard is the highest vineyard on the estate, planted at 1800 feet on a terrace just below the ridge of the mountain, and at the head of Nash Creek Canyon. Nash Creek Vineyard is characterized by very thin soils of crushed decomposed rhyolite.

Located at 600 feet and surrounding the original CHECKERBOARD VINEYARD residence, is the 6 acre Spring Meadows Vineyard. These two meadows were originally wooded in Oak, Madrone and big leaf Maple. The soils are underlain with red clay and basalt, but have a rich soil structure afforded by their wooded past. Spring Meadows Vineyard has an open full East -West exposure.

CHECKERBOARD is blessed with significant variations in elevation, soil composition, sun exposure, and rootstock and clone combinations. The fruit carefully nurtured from this rich landscape and masterfully transformed by Winemaker Martha McClellan is CHECKERBOARD.