Sodaro Vineyard

A Hidden Gem

Established as an American Viticultural Area in 2011, Coombsville is Napa Valley’s 16th and newest appellation. A five-minute drive from downtown Napa, the region expands 11,000 acres, but only 13% is planted to vineyards—the remainder are rolling hills of wild landscape dotted with homes and horses. Often described as a hidden gem, Coombsville was once a sleepy area known for its good grapes. Today it harkens back to a more nostalgic Napa where everyone is hands on and dedicated to making the best wine possible.

Ideal Climate

While most of Napa Valley can reach soaring temperatures during the warm season, Coombsville’s location at the South Eastern end of Napa makes it about ten degrees cooler. It’s close to San Pablo Bay, resulting in foggy mornings and cool evenings. The weather is more moderate than the rest of Napa—it doesn’t get as hot in summer or as cold in winter. The vines wake up earlier in spring but are typically picked later in harvest.

Ideal Climate

This longer growing season creates more concentrated fruit and vibrant, nuanced wine.

Quality Over Quantity

Of the over 70 vineyards in Coombsville, no two are alike. A variety of microclimates with distinct weather pockets make the terrain incredibly diverse. The picturesque landscapes - with charming farmland, steep hillsides, and old oak groves - produce nuanced fruit and bespoke, small-batch wines.

Coombsville Vintners and Growers Association

The Coombsville Vintners and Growers Association (CVG) was founded in 2009 by a group of vintners including Tom Farella (Farella Vineyard), Tracey Reichow (Blackcat Vineyard), Tim Porter (Porter Family Vineyards), Ken Bernards (Ancien Wines), Rebecca Sciandri Griffin (Sciandri Family Vineyards), and Kari DiFabrio (Sodaro Estate Winery). It started as an informal Christmas party of neighbors and friends where everyone brought something to taste. Over 20 people came, and everyone agreed it would be a good idea to create an organization.
We are a community-focused group of winemakers, farmers, growers, and vintners. Our mission is to promote the region we work and live in. The land is our livelihood, and we believe there is strength in numbers. When we come together as a collective, we can learn from each other and grow as one.
On December 14, 2011, this vision of this small group of vintners and growers came small group of vintners came to pass when Coombsville became Napa’s newest and 16th AVA. We could’t wait to tell the world about our long-established and beloved area in Napa Valley.

History of Coombsville

The story of our region begins millions of years ago, when ancient volcanos formed the landscapes of Napa. One volcanic eruption was so violent that the mouth of that volcano collapsed on itself, resulting in the caldera that shapes the unique soils and microclimates of Coombsville.

Nathan Coombs

In 1846, a California pioneer named Nathan Coombs acquired a parcel of land and founded the city of Napa. During the late 1880s, several immigrants, including Italian Antonio Carbone and German Henry Hagen, established wineries in the area now known as Coombsville. While these pioneers began to put Napa on the map—Hagen’s wine was poured at the San Francisco Opera House—prohibition abruptly ended the region's winemaking efforts.
It wasn’t until the late 1960s that new vineyards were planted in Coombsville. Many people assumed the cooler climate was best suited for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes. Famously the Haynes vineyard of Chardonnay was planted in 1967. In the late 1970s Frank Farella, against all advice given to him by colleagues, planted the first Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in the region—simply because he loved them. They sold their incredible fruit to the star vintners of the time, and the region quickly became a popular source of the best grapes. Many of the Valley’s great names blended the grapes into their notable and award-winning bottles.
In 2011, the area was finally given the recognition it deserved when it became Napa Valley’s 16th AVA. Today Coombsville is a thriving community of celebrated vintners and grape growers who appreciate the land’s rich history and look forward to its bright future.

Coombsville Vintners and Growers Leadership

We are proud to represent our peers and share the achievements of our region with wine enthusiasts worldwide.
Allison O'Holleran
Board Member, digital strategist and proprietor of the Coombsville Heights vineyard, along with husband Jack. They have three small kids and split their time between Coombsville and San Francisco. A former software executive, Allison now works to represent the Coombsville brand.
Anthony Washington
Board Member and Estate Director at Rewa Vineyards. Anthony Washington worked in New York City, Charleston, and New Orleans, before arriving in Napa to join the sommelier team at The French Laundry. When not managing daily operations at Rewa Vineyards, Anthony enjoys cycling, playing chess, and golfing.
Frank Bishop
Board Director and Proprietor of Terra Solis Vineyard, Frank is a retired Silicon Valley software executive. In addition to cultivating his family's magical vineyard, he enjoys spending time with his five children and three grand children, and of course, sipping a fine glass of our own Cabernet on the back porch.
Jim Urda
Board President, proud Coombsville resident, and owner of Immaculate Vineyard, along with his wife Carrie. They provide the grapes to a select handful of boutique producers. While Cabernet Sauvignon is one of his favorite varietals, Jim believes that Cabernet Franc is the future of the AVA. When he’s not drinking wines from Coombsville, Jim runs a wealth management firm in downtown Napa.
Mary Carpenter
Ambassador, Honorary Secretary, and Real Estate Advisor at Compass, Mary has been involved with CVG since 2019. Mary is an active member in numerous Napa Valley nonprofits, and she loves that this valley allows her to enjoy her passions of food, wine and a dynamic real-estate landscape.
Ron Sciandri
Board Member representing Sciandri Family Vineyards, whose family estate has been producing Coombsville grapes since 1999. Ron has 29 years of experience in the technology industry. He is the second in his family to serve on the Board; his sister Rebecca was the original Board President when the CVG was first established. In his spare time Ron travels and dines with his wife Melinda.
Ryan Pass
Board Member and Winemaker at Farella Vineyard. Ryan studied viticulture and enology at UC Davis and worked in various cellars in Napa. The wines of Coombsville were always standouts and made him want to work in the AVA. In his free time, Ryan enjoys mountain biking and skiing.
Sarah Berger
Board Director and Caldwell Vineyard's Operations, Marketing and Communication Manager. Sarah completed her training at Culinary Institute of America, and worked in wine sales, production and hospitality before joining Caldwell. In her free time, she enjoys exploring the PNC hiking trails.

Get in touch

We welcome inquiries from press, critics, travelers, peers in our industry and wine enthusiasts from around the world. Please send us an email at info@coombsvillenapa.org.

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820 Randolph Street, Box #10631 Napa, CA
Info@coombsvillenapa.org