Napa Valley History

The Wappo Indians were the first to inhabit the Napa Valley, where wild grapes grew in abundance. In the mid 1830's, George Yount planted the first grapevines in Napa Valley, and by the later part of the century, there were more than 130 wineries in operation. Among the first were Charles Krug, Beringer, and Inglenook. Around 1889-1890, the vines became infested with phylloxera and the crop loss was devastating. In the early 1920's, prohibition arrived and the majority of the wineries went out of business. Prohibition was repealed in 1933 but the damage had been done. By 1960, only 25 wineries remained in Napa Valley. Around 1965, wineries started making a comeback and by 1995, they totaled more than 200. Today, there are more than 400 wineries operating in Napa Valley, and this number increases every year.

Napa Valley is approximately 30 miles long and three miles wide in a northwesterly direction; contained on both sides by mountains. The valley's topography changes with its length from the wetlands of San Pablo Bay at sea level, through the rolling hills of Carneros, and ending to the north at the base of Mt. St. Helena (4343'). Within this system there are many different micro climates, and a range of soil profiles. Therefore, the fruit from each vineyard has the unique style and character of that appellation. There are approximately 35,000 acres of grapevines in the valley, with more than 1,100 owners.