,
tours -
wine tours
Napa, California was born out of the Gold Rush of
the 1840's. Distraught miners who sought comfort and refuge from the treacherous
cold of the mountains, flocked to the gentle Napa Valley with its mild
climate. Who could know that over 150 years later, Gold Fever would
be as strong as ever? Napa's "Gold" continues to shine today as guests
from around the world seek not the metal mined from the hills, but something
cherished just as much as a precious gem. It's the land that now fulfills
the promise, yielding golden grapes for wine.
Enjoy the wine! Bountiful, pleasurable
and within reach, everyone who's come of age (21 years), can sample and
purchase hundreds of wines from Napa's nearly 100 wineries, tasting rooms
and estates. Napa's golden crop just keeps getting better as cultivation
and blending methods improve with age, along with an industry which has
matured from its early roots when the Spanish padres made California wine
in the 1700's.
The word "napa" possibly came from the
name given to a Wappo Indian Village that Spanish and Mexican explorers
found when entering Napa Valley in 1823. How quickly things changed!
Believed to have existed there for thousands of years, the village and
its inhabitants began to disappear, along with elk, grizzly
bears, panthers and deer! By 1870, most of the Indians inhabiting
the valley were wiped out by smallpox and other diseases brought by the
new wave of immigrants from around the world. The remaining natives
were taken to Alexander Valley, where a few descendants now reside on government
reservations.
Progress marches on - The City of Napa
was laid out in 1848 by Nathan Coombs on property he received from Nicolas
Higuerra, holder of the original Spanish Grant. Cattle ranches and sawmills
prospered, fed by another rush when silver mines and quicksilver were discovered
in Napa Valley in 1858. In short time, the mines were stripped of their
treasures and the valley settled into simple pleasure, with an emphasis
on farming once again. With over 90% of wine exports from the United States
originating in California, Napa Valley is recognized as a premier
growing region. Cottages turned into castles as those with the right formula,
packaging and promotion succeeded in attracting large numbers of guests
who trickled in at first, but now come in large numbers, supporting everything
from a wine train tour around the valley to a bed and breakfast industry.
Though family excursions are especially
popular during the summer months when school kids are on vacation, Napa
caters to adults. Wineries are for the 21 and older crowd and some bed
and breakfast inns have an "adults only" policy.
Serve fine wine and they will come - Gourmet
restaurants with world class chefs have set up shop in Napa, as well.
The City of Napa enjoys entertainment not seen in places with ten times
the population. Musicians, artists, chefs, vintners, entrepreneurs and benefactors who love Napa's charm and
small town feel, have invested
in the city's health. Projects such as the American Center for Wine,
Food and the Arts provide incredible opportunities with exhibition galleries,
displays, working kitchens, seminars, lectures and workshops Below
are several such points of interest:
American Center for Wine Food and the
Arts -
Nestled in the oxbow of the Napa River
in the heart of Downtown Napa, this 80,000-square-foot museum, cultural
institution and education center will sit on 13 acres set amid 3.5 acres
of botanical and working gardens complete with an outdoor concert terrace.
The American Center will explore and celebrate the distinctly American
contribution to the character of wine and food in close association with
the arts and humanities. Art exhibition galleries, interactive exhibits,
displays and working kitchens, and a lively array of public programs for
all ages, including seminars, lectures, culinary demonstrations, wine tasting,
and workshops are anticipated to draw 300,000 visitors annually. For more
information, call (707) 257-3606
The Theatre at The Opera House Restoration
Opera House Theater - Opening Spring 2002
In 1880, Crowley's Opera House opened with
Gilbert and Sullivan's HMS Pinafore. The Opera House became a community
gathering place for political rallies, town meetings, musical comedies,
melodramas, hypnotists, and minstrel shows. Actually, opera was never presented.
In 1974 the Opera House was registered as a National Landmark, and in 1985
a group of concerned citizens and preservationists formed a non-profit
group to raise funds and restore the theater. Now called the Margrit Biever
Mondavi Opera House Theater, its beautiful Italianate facade was restored
to its original splendor in 1977, and plans for the interior renovation
are now underway. For more information, call (707) 226-7372
Napa Valley
Wine Train 800.427.4124 1275 McKinstry St. Napa, CA 94559
Year-round scenic 3-hour gourmet dining excursions aboard lavishly restored
1915-1950 Pullman Dining and Lounge cars for brunch, lunch or dinner. Advance
reservations required.
Napa Valley Museum
55 Presidents Circle Yountville, CA 94599 Details: The area's
only regional, multi-purpose museum. Experience, celebrate and discover
the unique cultural, artistic and environmental history of the Napa Valley.
Phone: 707.944.0500
Web: www.napavalleymuseum.org
Napa Wineries - Always call first hours
and tasting policies
List of Wineries
throughout California, beginning with Napa
