The altitude of Howell Mountain keeps the vineyards 'Above the Fog' (the tag line of the appellation), and at 1800 feet, Beatty Ranch has warmer mornings, warmer evenings with less heat in the middle of the day than the surrounding Napa Valley vineyards. The unique soil and micro-climate place the appellation in a category of its own. Beatty Ranch’s southwestern exposure keeps the vines basking in sunlight throughout the afternoon. A steady breeze, combined with abundant sunshine at such high elevations, prevents mildew from plaguing the grapes. The soil is Aiken Loam, a non-fertile, volcanic, red mountain clay. The lack of nutrients forces the vines to struggle to produce smaller grapes at lower yields. Small particles in the clay hold water well, enabling the practice of dry-farming methods. Small grape clusters equals a higher skin to juice ratio. This deepens the color of the wine and increases tannins, creating the intensity that describes the classic Howell Mountain Cabernet or Zinfandel.