Top 10 Astonishing Facts about Napa Valley

Napa Valley welcome sign By Stan Shebs – Wikimedia Commons

Top 10 Astonishing Facts about Napa Valley

As one of America’s most famous wine-growing regions, the Napa Valley is universally known for producing some of the best wine. The International Wine & Food Society which has branches all over the world also has one in the Napa Valley which hosts numerous events throughout the year.

The Napa Valley is located in Central California and boasts beautiful views of vineyards that people love. Touring the beautiful and scenic private vineyards on horseback, wine tasting, hosting bachelorette parties, and having a weekend away. Visitors from all around the world come just to taste some of the most delicious wine straight from the vine!

However, not everyone knows much about Napa Valley! Here are 10 astonishing facts about Napa Valley

1. There are more than 300 stone-arch bridges found in the napa valley

stone bridge By Bengt Oberger – Wikimedia Commons

At one time, Napa County was, best known for its stone bridges than its wine. Moreover, the area was often referred to as “the county of stone bridges.” This distinction came about as the number of Napa County masonry crossings exceeded the 100 mark. majority of the Napa County stone bridges were constructed between 1894 and 1918.

However, of the Napa County stone bridges that have successfully withstood the challenges of time, nature, vehicles, and man, seven are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. They and the other surviving Napa County stone bridges remain spans from the past that still provide safe passage today and into the future.

2. Napa Valley has done wonders for the Economy

The wine industry in napa valley generates over 300,000 jobs in the United States. According to a study in 2014 by the International Wine & Food Society. Napa Valley is responsible for over 50 billion dollars in the American economy.

Although the largest producer of high-end wines in the state, Napa delivers around 27%2 of the sales value of the state’s wine. With its premium grapes and top-quality wines, Napa claims almost 21% of the total economic impact of wine in California.

3. 10% of Napa County is in permanent conservation easements

A conservation easement is a legal agreement that is used by landowners to protect the natural, agricultural and scenic resources of their land. Napa County has more than 444,000 acres of land under permanent or high levels of protection from development.

The Land Trust of Napa County was established in 1976 and created conservation easements for landowners to preserve and protect their land in perpetuity from development. Today, more than 55,000 acres, roughly 10% of Napa County, are protected.  

4. The first commercial winery was established in Napa by Charles Krug in 1961

View from Mumm in Napa Valley California By John Morgan – Wikimedia Commons

Charles Krug immigrated from Germany in the mid-1800s to become one of Napa’s earliest settlers. He acquired land through marriage and planted an 18-acre vineyard establishing his winery.

His cider press helped to update winemaking practices from crude techniques and many of Napa’s notable winemakers of the day started their careers with Krug.  In 1961 he opened up his winery commercially being the first winery to do so. This was the beginning of Napa Valley winery’s success

5. Robert Mondavi was the first winemaker to create an on-site tasting room

Mondavi set out to redefine the way people enjoyed wine. In addition, he wanted to create wines that could compete with the best in France.

He set up the first-ever winery tasting room, selling his fine wines directly to consumers at retail prices. This made him very popular and soon after other wineries followed suit. Today Napa Valley is California’s most visited tourist attraction for wine tasting.      

6. Before vineyards the biggest use of land in napa was agricultural

Before opening the first winery and growing grapes, the land in napa valley was primarily used for growing plums and raising cattle. It wasn’t until the Paris Wine Tasting of 1976 that

Napa wines were pitted against Bordeaux’s in a blind taste test and won did the valley decide to take on grape growing Today, 99% of the land is covered in vineyards for grape growing. The other 1% is used to grow olives.

7. Napa Valley wines won the judgment of the Paris Competition

grapes in Napa Valley, California By Stan Shebs – Wikimedia Commons

The Paris Wine Tasting, popularly known as the Judgment of Paris, was a wine competition organized in Paris on 24 May 1976 by Steven Spurrier. This event brought two Californian wines, Chateau Montelena Chardonnay and Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, to a blind taste testing.

The Napa Valley wines outranked the French wines in both the red and white wine categories. They completely dominated the world-renowned French wines and through this the Napa wines to stardom.

8. The winery attracts tourism from around the world

vineyards in napa valley By Brocken Inaglory – Wikimedia Commons

Because of Napa Valley’s rise to fame from the Judgment of Paris, tourism in the small winery town grew. This is with good reason as the valley boasts stunning views from nearly every vineyard.

Moreover, people flock in from all around America and the world for wine tasting expeditions. Recently, the wineries in the valley have welcomed nearly 5 million visitors each year. The rich history and family legacies rooted make Napa Valley a must-see for its unique architecture.

The more aged wines are placed into castle-like structures that give off a Victorian age vibe that is hidden amid California. Between hot air balloon rides, diverse cuisines, and music festivals there is something for everyone in Napa Valley

9. Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa Valley’s most famous bottled wine.

The first Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were introduced to the area during this period as well, in what was called Hedgeside Vineyards, by Morris Estee. A bold, brilliantly commanding, assertive Cabernet Sauvignon known for its aroma is multiple award-winning wines.

The authentic Napa wine accounts for approximately 40% of the overall wines produced. It is grown on approximately 24,354 acres which is roughly 55% of the whole napa valley property.

10. There are approximately 470 physical wineries in Napa Valley

Castello di Amorosa Winery, Napa Valley, California, USA By Jim G from Silicon Valley- Wikimedia Commons

 Today, there are more than 400 wineries open for tastings and 90 urban tasting rooms producing more than 1000 different wine brands. 92% of these wineries are family-owned with 546 being NVV members.

It wasn’t always like this though, the devastating phylloxera epidemic between 1989 and 1992 resulted in the loss of close to 50,000 acres of Napa Valley grapevines.

There you have it,  10 astonishing facts about Napa Valley! Hope you’ve learned something new about the world-famous wine valley.