Rutherford
Location: California, United States
Legal name: Rutherford
Region: Napa Valley
Nested under: Napa Valley
Rutherford sits on the Napa Valley floor between Oakville and St. Helena and is strongly associated with Cabernet Sauvignon. The common shorthand of Rutherford dust points to the savory, dusty-earth impression many tasters find alongside ripe cassis, plum, cedar, and cocoa. The AVA is useful for drinkers because it signals central Napa warmth and a generous Cabernet style with enough tannin and earthy detail to feel anchored.
Notable Rules
Nested within Napa Valley AVA. The Rutherford name is protected as an American viticultural area and does not define a separate aging or grape-variety rule.
Also Known As
Rutherford AVA
Sources & References
- eCFR 27 CFR Part 9 American Viticultural Areas — Public domain federal regulation (eCFR).
(This page is in draft review.)
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REFERENCE NOTE
This entry is written as an educational overview and may synthesize public regulatory, historical, and editorial sources. It is not an official regulatory record.