Napa Valley: The Past And The Present

The year is 2018 and Napa Valley is a leader in the wine industry. But look back 100 years – the region was very different. We’re exploring the origins of this Valley and how it came to be filled with the Napa wineries we love.

Early Napa

Although the region was abundant in wild grapes, settler George Calvert Yount in 1839 was the first to plant Napa grapes that would spark wine grape cultivation. Later, the first vitis vinifera grapes were initiated by John Patchett and Hamilton Walker Crabb. 1861 brought the first commercial winery by Charles Krug. Enter 1889 and over 140 Napa wineries were established, along with Beringer and Inglenook.

The 20^th century sadly brought phylloxera. Over 80% of Napa’s acreage was ruined and by 1920, Prohibition had ruined winery business. Napa wineries were abandoned and the future seemed dim.

The Recovery

As Prohibition ended in 1933, Napa wineries slowly recovered. John Daniel Jr. brought back Inglenook, Beaulieu Vineyards found new life, and the Mondavis bought Charles Krug winery. Andre Tchelischeff, a Russian immigrant, came to Napa after working in France, and revolutionized the wine industry.

In 1940, The Napa Valley Vintners trade association formed when 7 vintners decided to develop Napa’s success. Today, the organization includes over 525 Napa wineries

By 1976, Napa faced an event that put it on the map. The Paris Tasting of 1976 was a blind, comparative tasting between French and California wines. Bordeaux and Burgundy met their biggest match - Chateau Montelena Chardonnay and Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon. The judges chose the Napa wines as the winners and the fame of Napa wineries took off after that.

Napa Valley Today

With a rich and complex history, Napa has come a long way. The Valley sees visitors from all over the world, excited to tour Napa wineries and taste their famous wines. Platypus Wine Tours is proud to be part of this revolutionary and beautiful town. Explore Napa wineries in the most fun way – join a wine tour by Platypus Wine Tours and gain access to incredible Napa tastings.