The Vineyards

The Dunnigan Hills American Viticultural Area (AVA) is located in northwestern Yolo County, due east of the Napa Valley town of Calistoga on the eastern side of California’s Vaca Mountains. R.H. Phillips is the only winery located in this unique appellation, which was granted AVA status in 1993.

The winery’s estate vineyards range from sea level to 400 feet in elevation, with most vines perched on rolling hillsides with well-drained gravelly loam soils. While summer temperatures in the Dunnigan Hills typically reach into the mid-90s, cooling breezes from the Sacramento Delta and San Francisco Bay reduce temperatures at night to between 55º and 65º F.  This 40º-50º swing is crucial to the quality of Dunnigan Hills grapes, because it allows them to cool down rapidly during the evening, preserving their fresh flavors and high natural acidity.

Another benefit of growing grapes in the Dunnigan Hills is that it’s less costly than in coastal regions like Napa and Sonoma, where land and labor are prohibitively expensive. As a result, R.H. Phillips is able to craft outstanding premium wines at reasonable prices, providing wine lovers with exceptional quality and value.

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