Get to Know Napa Valley’s Early History
- pimm-usa
- May 12, 2020
- 2 min read
A tour with Laces and Limo tour is an enjoyable and relaxing way to see and experience Napa Valley’s beautiful vineyards and fantastic wineries (some of which are delightfully off the beaten track!). The outings start in downtown Napa and are conducted in electric-powered tuk-tuks, which are like modern-day rickshaws, and you’ll enjoy exquisite views at every turn.
But before your tour with Laces and Limos, here are some tidbits of information about how the area got its start.
Before Napa Valley started producing quality wine, many of the most popular American wines came from New York, Virginia, Ohio and Missouri. In fact, vineyards were sprouting in much of Southern California.
John Patchett created Napa’s first official vineyard and winery. He planted vines in 1854, started producing wine in 1857 and constructed his cellar in 1859. The following year his wine received an official recognition in the form of a review in California Farmer Magazine that said, “The white wine was light, clear and brilliant and very superior indeed; his red wine was excellent; we saw superior brandy, too.”
Charles Krug was Patchett’s winemaker; the Charles Krug winery was founded in 1861. Joseph Osborne followed suit, also in the 1850s, when he planted vines on a 1,800-acre tract of land he named Oak Knoll.
Other wineries quickly followed, most notably Hermosa Vineyards, which Hamilton Crabb founded in 1872. By 1878, he was one of the largest vineyard land owners in Napa Valley. The early successes of Krug and Crabb spurred other growers to cultivate vines in Napa.
The Cedar Knoll Vineyard was planted in the 1870s. Then, from 1880 to 1890, the number of plantings in the valley exploded from 3,500 acres to more than 18,000 acres, and the number of wineries expanded to almost 200.
Laces and Limos is dedicated to providing the highest-quality tours of Napa Valley. Its excursions are friendly and relaxed. Email contact@lacesandlimos.com to book a reservation, ask questions and talk about the experience you’re hoping to have.
Napa Valley’s early history is rich with fascinating stories, from the indigenous peoples who lived there to the early settlers who cultivated the land. It’s amazing how the valley grew into the world-renowned wine region it is today. If you're a fan of exploring new places, don’t forget to check out events in Amsterdam next time you're in the area. With so much to offer, whether you’re into culture, food, or nightlife, there’s always something happening!