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More on great wines ... Franciscan One of the Wonders of Napa Valley

In our previous features we highlighted great wines and what makes them great. Great wines are from many countries around the world. However, there is something magical about wines from Napa Valley. Year after year this region produces award-winning wines.

Beginning with 240 acres in the Oakville growing district, Franciscan earned a reputation as one of Napa's great innovators with its Magnificat - the first Bordeaux-style proprietary blends and today one of the most-sought-after wines in Napa.

For a geographical perspective, Napa is located northeast of San Francisco, California, beginning on the south end of San Pablo Bay, which is connected to and just north of San Francisco Bay. The Napa Valley ranges in width from about one to five miles and extends north and slightly west for over 30 miles to Mount St Helena.

Only about 30 per cent of the Napa acreage is planted with white grape varieties, over 70 per cent of which is Chardonnay. The dominant red variety is Cabernet Sauvignon, followed by Merlot.

Franciscan is driven by the belief that great wines come from great vineyards.

Franciscan's vines have their roots deeply embedded in the soil of the Oakville appellation, where they are surrounded by equally illustrious neighbours such as Opus One. The stellar reputation achieved by wines from this cooler, more southern area of Napa Valley attests to the fact that Oakville's climate and soil produce grapes of exceptional quality.

The winery remains committed to its tradition of small-lot winemaking. At Franciscan, each wine lot is kept separate from the vineyard until blending, a luxury normally reserved only for limited production wines.

savvy wine market

The Jamaican wine market is becoming increasingly savvy and Franciscan fits the bill for wine, lovers looking for that exquisite experience. The brand has received rave reviews at premium resort properties and from locals.

Franciscan is available from Caribbean Producers in Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Magnificat Meritage.

As Jamaica's leading supplier of fine wines, Caribbean Producers has an extensive portfolio of Best Known Brands from around the world.

For more information, contact CPJ's customer service at 979-8134-6.

Kingston - Kerri-Anne Reckord at 816-9707.

Montego Bay - Errol Cummings at 371-0249.

Please send your questions and comments to Devon Reid at dreid@caribbeanproducers.com