The appellation sits at a higher elevation than most of Napa Valley's wine region, resulting in less cool fog coming in from San Pablo Bay, and more direct exposure to sunlight.

[2] The entire AVA is over 400 feet (120 m) above sea level, which helps to cool it compared to the nearby valley floor appellations.

[3][4] By 1892, his holdings had expanded to 100 acres, including underground cellars for aging and storing wine.

His name has continued in the property, now known as Schramsberg Vineyards[3] When the AVA was proposed in 1999, a request for public comments was published in the Federal Register.

One winery, Diamond Mountain Vineyards, objected to the western border ending on the Napa-Sonoma county line, as it would split their property in half.