Napa Valley Mustard Season: Why it’s Great for Wine and Cycling
If sunflowers in full bloom in July provide an iconic photo backdrop for Tour de France photography, mustard blooms in February and March serve the same role in the Napa Valley.
If you love photography, “Peak Mustard” is approaching quickly. If you love cycling, this is definitely the best 4-6 weeks for booking a bike tour and enjoying a yellow-dominated valley floor.
Mustard and Wine
Why are so many mustard plants found in so many Napa Valley vineyards? It has to do with viticulture, the cultivation and harvesting of wine grapes. The science of growing grapes that can make great wine—the reason Napa is so famous—is complex. Growing cover crops is one usually intentional way that grape growers can ameliorate their vineyards and improve the quality of their fruit.
Mustard is one of the most important cover crop options. They sprout voluntarily or are specifically grown for many reasons such as soil erosion prevention, adding nitrogen to the soil, loosening compacted soil and taking the fight to the enemy (aka nematodes). Microscopic in size, nematodes are worms that can damage the root systems of grapevines.
Fortunately, mustard contains chemical compounds that act as a biofumigant due to their bitterness. It’s an easy and organic method to control these very harmful pests, as well as provide a strikingly picturesque backdrop to photos taken during the Napa Valley spring.
Where to Find Napa Valley Mustard Magic
Mustard blooms throughout the valley, both on hillsides and in vineyards on the valley floor. If you want uninterrupted acres and acres of yellow, you’ll find them on the eastern side of the valley floor. Be aware though that different vineyards bloom at different times so what’s “Peak Mustard” in one spot will differ from other areas of the valley.
A drive north up Silverado Trail will take you alongside and even slightly above the dozens of vineyards you’ll find temporarily transformed into giant yellow quilts. Between Yountville Cross Rd. and Larkmead Lane are the best views.
My Favorite Mustard Views
Here are three of my favorite mustard views in Napa:
1. Rudd Estate (Silverado Trail at Oakville Cross Rd.)
It’s hard to miss this one; a giant American flag hangs from a pole in the middle of the mustard. The low stone wall and colorful contrast between the red, white and blue 30’ above a yellow canopy of mustard make a great photo.
What I love about seeing the flag when riding is that it’s basically a wind speed and direction indicator. It’s such a large flag, probably 60’ long, that if it’s anywhere close to being horizontal, I know I’m going to have both an awesome tailwind and challenging headwind.
2. Auberge du Soleil (180 Rutherford Hill Rd, Rutherford, CA 94573)
This iconic inn is not only home to a one-star Michelin restaurant, it has a balcony dining area (with heaters of course) that looks southwesterly, providing a gorgeous 2-mile vista over the valley. The food is wonderful and the view even better, given that you’re about 150-200 ft above the valley floor. If you sit down about 2 hours before sunset, you’ll be treated to both gastronomic and visual delights.
3. Mumm Napa (8445 Silverado Trail, Rutherford, CA 94573)
Mumm Napa not only provides one of the best sparkling educational wine tours, the parking lot and patio sit slightly above the vineyards so you get a lovely mustard view. And there are no trees to block the views so you can enjoy a very long pan from north to south.
So enjoy your visit during what is sadly our ephemeral Napa Valley mustard season. The air will buzz with the sounds of happy bees, the mustard plants will sway as they grow taller and you definitely sense the encouraging renewal of the approach of Spring. And if you’re interested in enjoying the views on a bicycle, look at our ride calendar to find an adventure.
