In this planet, we choose our own ways to reward ourselves after a hard day’s work. Some choose to watch a movie out of impulse or purchase that sultry looking leather bag that’s really not important or binge on tubs of ice cream to combat the inevitable stresses of everyday living.
While some, tickle their fancies by drinking refreshing glasses of wine partnered with the most expensive kinds of cheese. Wine drinking had been present since the monarchial times in the United States. And wine producing cities like Napa Valley, California had been prolific in letting the people from all over the world well-crafted wines and drinks from their very own soil.
Known to be the United States’ Wine Capital, Napa Valley or Napa County in California is a place where the wind smelled of brewed prunes and the sceneries are just sights to behold.
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LOCATION
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 789 square miles (2,040 km2), of which 748 square miles (1,940 km2) is land and 40 square miles (100 km2) (5.1%) is water.
Napa is warmer in the summer than Sonoma County, to the west, or Santa Barbara County, a wine-producing county in southern California. Thus, the Napa wineries favor varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, while Pinot noir and Chardonnay are more the specialty of Sonoma and Santa Barbara wineries.
At the north end of Napa County, in the Mayacamas Mountains, lies Mount Saint Helena, the Bay Area’s second tallest peak at 4,344 feet (1,323 m) and home to Robert Louis Stevenson State Park; Snell Valley is also situated in northern Napa County; the Missimer Wildflower Preserve is within Snell Valley. At the west side of the Napa Valley is Hood Mountain, elevation 2,750 feet (838 m).
Napa County is home to a variety of flora and fauna including numerous rare and endangered species such as Tiburon Indian paintbrush and Contra Costa goldfields.
Some of the noted places of interest in Napa Valley are Napa River, Milliken Creek, Putah Creek, Lake Orville, Lake Whitehead and the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
CLIMATE
No matter what time of year you choose to visit the Napa Valley, you will find beautiful Mediterranean weather. There is no better climate to enjoy countless activities.
Spring mornings and evenings are wonderfully crisp; while the days offer pleasant temperatures and abundant sunshine (rainy season is normally over by April 15th). The average spring temperature in Calistoga is 72 degrees, making it great for a weekend getaway. Summer warms the valley with average daytime temperatures in the 90’s, with very temperate nights.
While San Francisco is experiencing foggy days, the short drive to the Napa Valley will reward you with a completely different environment. Fall is when the leaves change and Napa Valley is full of color. Summerlike temperatures warm the day, while the nights start to get cooler. This is possibly the most popular time to visit the Napa Valley, as it is harvest time for the local wineries. Winter in the Napa Valley is mild in comparison to most other places. Temperatures in the 70’s are not unheard of, while the lows hardly ever go below freezing. While there is rain, there are also long periods of sunshine.
TRANSPORTATION
Enjoying the humble town of Napa Valley / Napa County would be easy through the various types of transport that’re present within the whole place. Major highways connecting Napa County to the rest of the United States are State Route 12, State Route 29, State Route 121, State Route 128 and State Route 221. Driving by car might be a little bit tiring but the sceneries adorning your entrance to Napa Valley would surely ease your tired bodies.
Public transport are also available like the Napa Valley VINE which is a local bus that serves inhabitants in Napa. This bus line routes intercity to Route 29 between Vallejo and Calistoga. There are also limited runs from Calistoga to Sonoma County.
The Napa County Airport is the general aviation platform which is located at the south side of Napa City. The Napa Valley Railroad is the main railway system to use if you want to penetrate this quiet yet enjoyable county best known for its wine production.
WHAT TO SEE
Castello di Amorosa
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Castello di Amorosa is a castle and a winery located near Calistoga, California. First opening its doors to the public in April 2007, the castle is the pet project of 4th generation vintner, Dario Sattui, who also owns and operates the V. Sattui Winery named after his great-grandfather who originally established a winery in San Francisco in 1885 after emigrating from Italy to California.
The winery sits on property that was once part of an estate owned by Edward Turner Bale.
Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park
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The park is the site of a water-powered grist mill that was built in 1846. It was once the center of social activity as Napa Valley settlers gathered to have their corn and wheat ground into meal or flour. The owner of the mill was Dr. Edward Turner Bale. He received the property in a land grant from the Mexican government and lived near the site until his death in 1849.
The mill remained in use until the early 1900s. The mill and its 36-foot water wheel are protected as a state historic landmark and have been partially restored. A trail connects the historic park to Bothe-Napa Valley State Park. Additionally, the park includes the site of the first church in the Napa Valley as well as the Pioneer Cemetery.
The Stevenson Memorial Trail
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The Stevenson Memorial Trail takes you from the parking lot on Highway 29 to the summit of 4,343-foot Mt. Saint Helena. The first mile of the trail switchbacks through a shady single track trail, the latter 4 miles are on well-graded fire roads with very little shade.
The last push to the summit is the steepest part of the hike, but offers the best views from the mountain south to the prominent Bay Area peaks, Mounts Diablo and Tamalpais. The steep climb is over quickly, and at 5.6 miles you’ll reach the top.
This is a great trail to take on a cooler day as it can be very hot during the summer. The hike to the summit is 10 miles round trip with a 1,800-foot elevation gain. The views are well worth the hike, for a true top-of-the-world experience.
Lake Hennessey
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Lake Hennessey is a man-made lake in the hills east of St. Helena, California, USA. The lake is formed by Conn Creek Dam, built in 1948 across Conn Creek.
Construction of the earthen dam was authorized by the United States Congress when it passed the Flood Control Act of 1944 in order to mitigate flooding downstream in Napa, California.
Grgich Hills Estate
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Grgich Hills Estate (formerly Grgich Hills Cellar) is a winery located in Rutherford, California in the heart of the Napa Valley. The winery changed its name in 2006 when it first began producing only “estate grown” wines made from grapes grown exclusively in vineyards owned by the winery.
The Napa Valley Wine Train has a passenger stop located at Grgich Hills Estate. Grgich Hills’ vineyards are certified organic and biodynamic and it converted to solar energy in 2006.
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