(Winemag) - Oakville, arguably the center of Napa's winemaking scene, could be credited with putting California Cabernet Sauvignon on the map. But in a constantly changing wine world, can this storied region still hold its own?

In the heart of the Napa Valley, Oakville is the go-to address for California Cabernet Sauvignon, where the top producers of luxury wines tend their vines. Its home to giants like Harlan Estate, Far Niente, Dalla Valle, Robert Mondavi, Opus One, Groth, Rudd, PlumpJack Winery and Screaming Eagle, to name a mighty few.

Famous vineyard sites are no less epic, from To Kalon to Martha’s Vineyard, Vine Hill Ranch, Oakville Ranch, Bonny’s Vineyard and Money Road Ranch. The grapes from the appellation cost an average of $10,000 per ton.

“There’s good air movement here and abundant sunshine,” says Cameron Parry, director of winegrowing at Groth. “You get red and black fruit, plush, soft tannins—it’s a beautiful tipping point on so many levels.”