Farm Field in California's Central Valley

California is famous around the world for many things: the movie industry, theme parks and a wild-west reputation for everything from social programs to the environment. This fame is bolstered by a long-standing commitment to hospitality and a reputation among travelers as a preferred vacation destination. Besides all of California's favored attractions, the state is also well known for its prolific wine production, which has grown over several decades to rival France in terms of quality. Among the wine regions in California, the Napa Valley is the star. This area has enough history and good-stead to ensure that, regardless of the season, visitors are able to sample what has come to be known as some of the best wine in the world. From Napa down past San Francisco and into Santa Maria, the culling and crushing of the best grapes has become a thriving industry in this Western State. With so much offered in this region, visitors are bound to want to spend more than just a day touring the local attractions and vineyards. Lodging is easy to find and as varied as the grapes that grow in the vineyards.

ORIENTATION

Napa is located in California's Central Valley, approximately 30 miles northeast of San Francisco, 40 miles west of Sacramento and 60 miles north of San Jose. North of Napa, Highway 29 is the link that takes visitors to many of the area's wineries, while travelling west will bring visitors to Sonoma, another prominent area of wine production.

HISTORY

	Vineyard Grapes

Though wine production only came to the fore in California during the last half of the Twentieth century, vineyards were in operation before the state of California was even settled. The Spanish padres south of Napa at the Mission San Juan Capistrano planted grape vines as early as 1779, producing Holy wine that was used at Mass. The production of secular wine followed soon afterwards, however the indistinct variety of grapes produced a quality that was mediocre at best. While the secularization didn't necessarily improve the quality of the final product, it did pave the way for the creation of the award winning wines that can be found farther north in the Napa Valley today.

General Mariano Vallejo, an officer in the Spanish army who favored annexation of Southern California by the United States, was the first secular grape grower in the Napa Valley. Thus begun an industry that has become a thriving, integral part of modern day California. Due to a limited knowledge of grape varietals and the wine each type produced, the grapes that Vallejo harvested were nowhere near the grapes that grace the countryside today. The introduction of the first European grapes in the region is still a matter of debate, however the consensus is that these grapes took root in the valley during the start of the nineteenth century. The first commercial vineyard is credited to Charles Krug, who established his facility in 1861. By 1889, there was a glut of wineries in the region. The price of wine plummeted due to the large number of surplus grapes. The industry recovered somewhat before being hit with more troubles during the era of prohibition. Shortly after the repeal of the anti-liquor laws, the vineyards of California experienced a rebirth, resulting in the refined vintages that are available today.

CLIMATE

Visitors can expect a comfortable climate in the Napa Valley that allows for vineyard tours and balloon rides regardless of the time of year. Temperatures are generally mild and range from 50°F-70°F (10°C-21°C) year round. This environment is highly conducive to the growing of grapes, and vintners have long enjoyed fertile soil and warm weather mixed with the perfect amount of rain. Even when summer temperatures rise to the 90°F or 100°F (32°C-37°C) range, the airflow from the San Francisco coast keeps nights in the valley at a tolerable level.

TRANSPORTATION

Getting to and from Napa is easily accomplished by land or air, giving visitors a choice in how they experience this fertile valley. Car rentals can be found in San Francisco, which is just a one-hour drive from Napa. The Napa Airport services charter flights from San Francisco and points beyond, offering another way to access the California wine country. Once in Napa, visitors can choose between car or bus transportation to the wineries, or opt for a balloon tour that soars over the wineries for a unique view of the area. The San Francisco, Oakland and Sacramento airports are also options for visitors flying in from outside the state. Cars can be rented from any of these airports

ATTRACTIONS

American Center for Wine, Food and the Arts (COPIA) Courtyard

There is no signature variety of wine produced in the Napa Valley. In fact, nearly every variety of wine grape is grown here, resulting in everything from sauvignons to rieslings to pinots. It is not just the grapes that contribute to the caliber of wine—the soil as well as the amount of sunlight and precipitation all help determine the end product. The same variety of grapes grown in different areas will produce slight variations in how the wine looks and tastes. The Napa Valley is comprised of just the right combination of these factors, allowing vintners to create award winning wines in the heart of California.

As wine gained prominence in the hearts and minds of California residents, a number of restaurants were born that helped to showcase the California vintages. Since the mid-Twentieth century, epicurean delights have been a staple of the Napa Valley, and many of the restaurants in the area enjoy reputations that rival the best wineries in the region. In response to the gastronomic pleasures of the region, the American Center for Wine, Food and the Arts was established. Known as COPIA, this center celebrates the food and wine in the area and hosts a number of events and galas throughout the year.

Along with the gastronomical excellence comes a demand for unparalleled produce and food ingredients. To respond to this demand, local farmers offer their goods at several markets throughout the summer and fall. These markets are known for their unequaled selection of fine foods, which are a perfect compliment to the fine wines of Napa. Open from May to November, the Napa Farmers Market is a local market that provides a variety of fresh foods in addition to arts, crafts and other locally produced items.

Beyond the culinary satisfaction and epicurean treasures in Napa, there are also a number of salons and day spas that can provide the perfect relaxing cap to a day filled with gustatory pleasures. Several of these spas offer accommodation as well, creating a haven for relaxation among the beauty and opulence of the Valley.

	Churchill Manor Bed and Breakfast

Over 200 wineries exist in this county, boasting more than 35,200 acres of wine grapes that await harvest. This is more than anywhere else in the United States. All this, coupled with exceptional hospitality, ensures that visitors to Napa are well taken care of. Wine tours are foremost on most itineraries, and there are a number of accommodations that offer lodging with wine-tasting tours in mind. Bed and breakfast accommodations are in abundance in the Napa Valley and range from historic homes to modern lodging. The Churchill Manor Bed and Breakfast is one such option, offering a location that is conveniently located to many of the town's restaurants and shops. This 10,00 square-foot mansion once belonged to Edward Churchill, one of the founders of present day Napa. Tours of the local vineyards are easily arranged and some of the Valley's premier restaurants are nearby for a sumptuous meal.

Another popular wine getaway is the Napa Valley Wine Train, which includes lunch and dinner and takes visitors on a comprehensive tour past the finest wineries in the area. This trip, leaving from downtown Napa, was voted as one of the top 20 railroads in the world by the Society of International Railway Travelers. This tour also features award-winning meals that guests enjoy as they roll past the scenic vistas.