If you’ve ever thought about visiting Napa Valley, you might be wondering what to expect. After all, it’s the most popular wine region in California, and a visit to the Napa Valley is well worth your time and money. Here are a few reasons to make a trip to the Napa Valley. Read on for a look at some of the best wineries in the valley. Weigh your options carefully and decide for yourself what will make your trip a memorable one.
The Robert Mondavi Winery opened in 1965, making it the first large-scale winery in the valley since the end of prohibition. It pushed the Napa Valley’s reputation, as consumers followed the 60s free-spirited lifestyle and experimented with new tastes. In addition, many young women preferred white wine to red when it came to romance. To cater to these tastes, Robert Mondavi Winery introduced the 1.5-liter wine bottle.
The Napa Valley is home to a variety of wine grapes, including Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay. Early vines were planted for religious purposes, and were not specific to any grape variety. These varieties were called “Mission grapes” because they were planted by early Missionaries. In the mid to late 1800s, the commercial wine industry started to flourish, thanks to the efforts of European emigrants. President Lincoln was among the first Californian to taste the wines produced in Napa.
In the Napa Valley, the grape varieties that produce great wine are the Cabernet Sauvignon variety. Typically, hillside vineyards produce full-bodied wines with rich tannins and intense flavors. Valley-floor vineyards yield medium-bodied wines with less concentrated flavors. In Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon often displays floral, black fruit, and herbaceous notes. This is also one of the region’s most popular varieties. The Napa Valley is the second most popular tourist destination in California.
The climate in Napa is typically Mediterranean, with long, hot summers and cool nights. Winters are mild and have a moderate rainfall. While the climate is Mediterranean-type, the Napa Valley is also characterized by various microclimates, including mountain and valley-level vineyards. A cool summer in Napa is not uncommon, but the cool nights in the fall are particularly memorable. It’s no wonder Napa is known as “The Wine Country,” and the climate in Napa is no exception.
Despite the great growth in winemaking in the Napa Valley, the area still remains small compared to other wine regions. However, there is something special about Napa Valley. Almost nine percent of the valley is under vines. More than 400 wineries and vineyards are located in Napa Valley. The region has a diversity of grapes, and wineries make a total of 50 billion bottles of wine per year. There’s a reason that it attracts five million visitors every year.
Early settlers of Napa County included George C. Yount, who is regarded as the first Anglo-Saxon to settle in the region. He obtained a Mexican grant for the area of Rancho Caymus in 1836. He built the first log house in California, a sawmill and grain mill, and planted the first vineyard in the region. Yountville is named after George C. Yountville, which is a town in Napa County.