In 1841 Joseph Ballinger Chiles, a man from Missouri who fought in the Seminole Wars and was granted Mexican Citizenship, was given a two league piece of land known as Rancho Catacula by Governor Manuel Micheltorena. It covered the land east of St. Helena in the Chiles Valley along Chiles Creek. A claim was filed in 1852 but it wasn’t until 1865 that a grant was issued to Joseph Ballinger Chiles. The Chiles House, built in 1856 is one of the oldest homes in Napa Valley. Chiles Verde is home to summer days that are warm, but slightly cooler than the valley floor. The higher elevation, in addition to summer fog, makes for chilly nights. Harvest comes later here than in other parts of the valley. The principle varietals of Chiles Verde District include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc.