Densely planted with vines, St. Helena has over 30 wineries and is widely known to be a quality winegrowing region. Covering just over 9,000 acres, the appellation is located where the Napa Valley floor narrows, between the Mayacamas and Vaca mountains. St. Helena is considered to be the centre of quality viticulture in Napa Valley. The history of winemaking here is legendary and St. Helena’s wines are unique. Charles Krug, who opened his celebrated winery in 1861, is considered the father of Napa viticulture. The area’s wines still rank among the valley’s best. This AVA is located in an up-valley area, where the climate and soils are quite different from the surrounding regions. A marine air incursion that affects the lower areas of the valley is not so dominant here. However, cool Pacific breezes from the north reach St. Helena earlier, cooling vines quickly and delivering graceful, intense fruit with concentration and depth. St. Helena has become the cultural, social and economic heart of the Napa Valley.