Mabel Van Niekerk - Guide To The Napa Valley

By

Mabel VanNiekerk

SMASHWORDS EDITION

*******

Publishedby

Mabel Van Niekerk at Smashwords

Guide To TheNapa Valley

Copyright 2013 Mabel Van Niekerk

SmashwordsEdition, License Notes

This ebook is licensedfor your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold orgiven away to other people. If you would like to share this bookwith another person, please purchase an additional copy for eachrecipient. If youre reading this book and did not purchase it, orit was not purchased for your use only, then please return toSmashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respectingthe hard work of this author.

Content

Napa Valley is one of the most beautifulwine growing areas in Northern California and is known as a worldfamous wine growing region. It is not only the main wine growingregion of USA, but one of the major wine producing areas in theworld. It boasts about 45 000 acres of vineyards, and has over 300wineries all producing excellent wines.

Napa Valley, which is about 30 miles longand about 5 miles wide, is situated in Napa County. Its one of thenine San Francisco Bay Area Counties and is one of Californiasmost popular tourist attractions. Next to Disneyland in California,Napa Valley has the most visitors annually. Its usually burstingat the seams with local, national and international visitors whocome to enjoy the many amenities available and of course theexcellent wines and Mediterranean climate.

A new welcome center has been established indowntown Napa along the riverfront. This is the perfect first stopto make when arriving in Napa Valley. Here you will be cordiallywelcomed and given all the information about the amenities andfacilities of the valley you will require, to make your visit atruly unforgettable experience. They will help you plan your tripso that you do not miss any of the fun and flavor of theValley.

There are welcome centers in the other townsas well, offering the same excellent service.

You will not only be able to taste the winesbut actually see how they are made from start to finish on one ofthe many wine tours offered in the Valley. There are many wineriesthat welcome visitors and offer their products to visitors onspecial discounted prices. Wine bars and tasting rooms are inabundance, so make sure you indulge yourself.

There are many attractions in the towns andcities; you will be spoilt for choice where to stay. You will findexcellent hotels, hospitable established bed and breakfasts andfine inns in all the towns. Camping sites, guest cottages and guesthouses are also available.

Art has become a big thing in the NapaValley. Here you will see artists with their easels recording thebeauty around them on canvas. There are many art galleries in thetowns. It seems fit that a region producing and showcasingexcellent wines should also be able to display their works of art.Napa Valley is fast becoming an art and cultural center.

The Napa Valley is a hikers paradise. Thereare so many picturesque paths to follow where the tranquility ofthe vineyards can be enjoyed.

Napa Valley is considered to be a low crimearea and residents living here feel relatively safe.

Napa Valley was originally inhabited byNative Americans. Only during the first half of the nineteenthcentury did Europeans arrive and begin to settle there. The warmMediterranean climate was a great attraction to them.

George Calvert Yount was the first Europeanto settle in the valley and to build a homestead and plantvineyards. Yountville was later named for him.

During the 1850s the discovery of gold andsubsequent gold rush brought many pioneers to Napa Valley in searchof gold. This growth in population in the valley automaticallyresulted in farming and cattle ranching being established. Thelumber trade also began to flourish during this time.

In 1861 Charles Krug started the firstcommercial winery in Napa Valley, and not long after that otherwinegrowers followed, and by 1899 more than 140 wineries wereestablished in Napa valley.

In 1864 one of the great entrepreneurs ofthe region, Samuel Brannan founded the Napa Valley RailroadCompany, which later became the property of the Southern PacificRailroad. Then in 1880 he founded Calistoga after realizing thepotential of the natural mineral hot springs in the region. Herealized that it would make a great resort town and people would gothere to enjoy the hot springs. His dream did become a reality, asCalistoga still attracts thousands of people who come to enjoy thespas and facilities at the hot springs.

The wine industry had its ups and downs withsickness among the people of the valley and pests that destroyedthe vines. Later in history 14 years of Prohibition following WorldWar II, affected production and only a few wineries were allowed toproduce sacramental wine. This resulted in many of the vines beingtaken out and the land used for growing nuts and other produce.Farmers and many of the vintners turned to other trades to make alivelihood.

The wineries managed to survive all thesesetbacks once Prohibition was repealed in 1933. Once againvineyards were enthusiastically planted and the industry once againbegan to thrive. Today some of the best wines in the world comefrom this scenic region. The wine industry has grown to over 300wineries in Nap Valley, many of them still family-run with famousnames like Robert Mondavi and Castello di Amorosa.

Henry Walker Crabb planted his firstvineyard in Oakville in 1868 and named it To Kalon Greek forhighest beauty. Robert Mondavi retained the name when hepurchased the area almost a century later. The name is stillfitting to this beautiful area, as the wines produced here areworld-class quality. The warm temperatures and abundance ofsunshine ensure that the grapes reach optimal maturity producing arich flavor.

You might wonder when the besttime is to visit Napa Valley the fact of the matter is that NapaValley is beautiful four seasons in the year. In spring the valleyis spectacular it is a carpet of green with the mustard flowersin full bloom making a show of color.

In summer the vines are lush and green underthe warm rays of the sun. Napa Valley is usually dry and hot insummer, ideal for swimming and picnics under the shade of the manytrees.

During the fall its harvest time and timefor the vine leaves to put on their show of color in bright shadesof gold and copper.

Winter time will find the vines bare but thecellars full of the best wines, waiting to be tasted. The weatheris wet and chilly in winter and on drier days its very pleasant tohike or bike along the country roads. The vistas are better than insummer as there are no vine leaves obscuring the views.

All four seasons have their attractions andyou will enjoy the visit no matter which one you choose. The foodand accommodation is always the same high standard and there isentertainment all year round.

The biggest crowds seem to arrive duringJune to October its great fun when Napa Valley has plenty ofvisitors and the restaurants are jam-packed with locals andtourists at night. There is music playing everywhere, and peopleare chatting and enjoying the vacation spirit.

This time of year there are many artfestivals and most wineries are open for tastings.

If you would prefer to visit Napa Valleyduring a quieter period when there are not so many people, then thebest time for you would probably be from April to November. Youshould be able to get better rates on accommodation and be able tomake use of special offers.