St. Helena was chosen as one of the best small towns in California recently by Travel and Leisure Magazine. The other contenders were Ojai, Carmel, Solvang, Sausalito, Avalon, Sonoma, Tahoe City, Pismo Beach and Calistoga.

Travel and Leisure wrote “…..we think California's small towns make for some of the most memorable vacations…” and continued: “St. Helena is often referred to as Napa Valley’s Main Street — and that's a good thing. Located about 20 miles north of the city of Napa, St. Helena is big on charm and small on scale. Its downtown features a half-mile of boutiques, California cuisine restaurants, and, of course, wine-tasting rooms. Napa is known for cabernet sauvignon, so start there. Many businesses are housed inside historic stone and brick buildings. In fact, St. Helena has 22 listings on the National Register of Historic Places scattered throughout its five square miles. Another St. Helena draw? Fast access to Napa Valley's vineyards and state parks.”

“As a winemaker, we love St Helena Appellation for the diversity of soils and exposure that give us a huge palette for winemaking.”
Philippe Melka, Winemaker, Melka Wines

“The St. Helena AVA possesses some of the greatest and most diverse soils for growing Cabernet Sauvignon on our planet. From the gravel benchland soils that were such a part of the early greatness of Napa Valley wine to the magic volcanic soils on the eastern lower slopes of Spring Mountain, wines from this region are among the greatest in the world.”
Aaron Pott, Winemaker, Pott Wine & Huis Clos Consulting

 “We have three different vineyards in the St. Helena appellation – Bourn, Dr. Crane, and Las Piedras – which are all heritage vineyards that were planted in the 19th century.  In grape growing, the total is more than the sum of its parts, more than soil and climate.  St. Helena is a grape growing region that has proven itself over a long, long time.”
Andy Beckstoffer, Grower, Beckstoffer Vineyards

“St. Helena wines represent the best of what can be done in Napa Valley.”
Beth Novak Milliken, President & CEO, Spottswoode

“We make two wines exclusively from the St. Helena appellation – our ‘Bergfeld’ and ‘Couer’ Cabernet Sauvignons. The wines from this appellation demonstrate a depth of dark fruit aromas and flavors, with a textural softness and structure that is uniquely St. Helena.”
Mike Reynolds, President, Hall Wines

“I’m really proud of appellation St. Helena, partly because I live here, but partly because every time I do a tasting of Napa Valley AVAs, I’m reminded of what it is that makes Appellation St. Helena so special.  It’s the power of Napa Valley, but also this elegance… I can’t quite put my finger on it, but elegance and power together, perfect.”
Andrea Immer Robinson, Sommelier

“St. Helena is the true expression of Napa Valley because of its consistency of climate with a wide diversity of soils.”
Jean Hoefliger, Winemaker/Partner, Alpha Omega

“I specialize in Cabernet Sauvignon and it takes a lot of heat to get Cabernet ripe.  St. Helena is one of the warmest places in Napa Valley because it is narrow and holds heat in during the day.”
Cathy Corison, Winemaker, Corison Winery

“I think the region allows us to ripen our fruit to optimal physiological maturity and give us a style of wine that is unique to the St. Helena appellation.”
Koerner “KR” Rombauer III, Vintner, Rombauer Vineyards

 “The Maycamas mountain range to the west and the Vaca range to the east – they nearly meet.  Makes a very beautiful safe harbor for vines.”
Pam Starr, Co-owner & Winemaker, Crocker & Starr

“The microclimate is amazing but the soil, the land, you can’t change that.  It’s stunning. It’s Cabernet gold.”
Kevin Morrisey, Winemaker, Ehlers Estate