The Napa River and Our Vineyards

The Napa River Watershed is the lifeblood of our valley. With 47 tributary streams feeding the Napa River, this living system has shaped the soils beneath our vineyards and supported Napa Valley agriculture for generations. Vineyard decisions, from soil management to row orientation, can directly influence water quality, erosion, and long-term vineyard resilience. The good news is that growers are not only part of the watershed, they are part of the solution.
​
​“The river is going to do what it wants to do. We can either be part of the solution or part of the problem.”
— Bruce Cakebread, Cakebread Cellars 

This video is filmed in 360°, allowing you to explore the vineyards and Napa River from every angle. On a supported device, click and drag (or move your phone) to look around and experience the landscape firsthand.

This project was funded by the Risk Management Agency Grant. 

Where Vineyards Meet the River 

At the edge of land and water lies the riparian corridor, described as nature’s filtration system. Healthy riparian zones slow water movement, trap sediment, reduce erosion, recharge groundwater, and provide habitat for fish and wildlife. Over time, many of these corridors were narrowed or altered, increasing sediment and runoff into streams.
Bare ground or steep slopes near waterways accelerate erosion, while setbacks, vegetation, and cover crops dramatically reduce runoff before it reaches the river. When vineyards are thoughtfully designed and managed, they protect both water quality and vine health.

---

The Roll a Grower Can Play 

​Across Napa Valley, growers are adopting practices that stabilize soils, improve infiltration, and protect waterways, often with direct benefits to vineyard performance. 

• Maintaining riparian buffers by setting vineyards back from streambanks and planting native vegetation
• Reducing tillage to keep soil structure intact and minimize erosion
• Using cover crops to anchor soil, increase organic matter, and improve infiltration
• Contour planting and sediment basins to slow water movement during heavy rain events
• Removing invasive species such as arundo and Himalayan blackberry
• Supporting beneficial wildlife through habitat corridors and owl boxes

​These practices do more than protect waterways. They recharge groundwater, improve soil structure, and build vineyard resilience in the face of intense rainfall and drought cycles.

“Twenty-five years later, you don’t even notice the vines that were taken out. What you notice is the wildlife,
the trees, and the life back in the river.”
— Bruce Cakebread, Cakebread Cellars 

Farming Adaptations That Work With the River

​Participation in river restoration can also have a beneficial impact on how a vineyard is farmed.

• Transitioning to no-till vineyard floors
• Integrating sheep and rotational grazing
• Building soil organic matter to improve infiltration
• Accepting strategic vineyard setbacks where needed
• Installing sediment basins, swales, or contour features to slow runoff
• Designing vineyard rows to follow natural contours

​These changes deliver measurable benefits all while strengthening the surrounding agricultural system. Such as increasing soil organic matter improving your land's ability to absorb water during heavy rain events. Or increasing biodiversity and wildlife habitat, supporting natural pest control. 
​

​A Shared Responsibility, A Shared Legacy

The Napa River restoration effort demonstrates what’s possible when growers, agencies, and nonprofits work together. The Napa River is a shared legacy. By working with the land and with one another, growers can protect this vital resource and ensure a resilient future for Napa Valley’s vineyards and communities.
​“The Napa River Watershed isn’t just soil and water. It’s a living system, and how we care for it today will shape the future of our vineyards tomorrow.”
— Jeremy Sarrow, Napa County Watershed and Flood Control Operation Manager