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Touring The Napa Vineyards
By Hugh Parker
As the wines produced in the Napa Valley continue to grow in
prestige, joining the ranks of the finest of Italy and France,
so does the expansion of the tourism industry in this region.
Its history as a wine-producing district stretches back to the
early 19th century. By that century’s end, there were over 140
distinct wineries, each offering their own product. Today, with
over 340 wineries, Napa is considered to be among the finest of
the AVA’s (American Viticultural Areas). Touring a vineyard is a
great way to spend a day on your California vacation.
An enormously diverse range of grapes is produced in the Napa
Valley. Specialties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay,
Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Zinfandel. The Vineyard owners have
turned production into an art form, spending countless hours
researching cultivation methods in the pursuit of the perfect
grape. Indeed, most producers blend several grapes into each
wine to produce a mixture from throughout the Valley.
The average vineyard tour takes from one to two hours, and
usually costs about twenty-five dollars. Ambling through a
vineyard is one of the most tranquil experiences California has
to offer. You’re immediately confronted by the sweet fragrance
of crushed grapes, a sublime odor. Every sense delights, with
birds chirping in your ears and sweeping vistas playing out
before your eyes.
One of the most famous wineries is the Beringer Vineyard. The
oldest continuously operating Vineyard in Napa (and the first to
offer tours to the public), Beringer has been declared a
Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places.
The winery is open every day, with the exceptions of
Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Years Day.
The Vineyard was founded by Jacob Beringer, a German immigrant
who left life in Europe to pursue opportunity in the New World.
After landing in New York, Beringer almost immediately set off
for points west, lured by reports that the climate in California
excelled in producing fantastic grapes. Though he had only
minimal experience, he knew this would be his life-long
profession. Through perseverance and hard work, he was able to
transform wilderness into paradise, resulting in the birth of
the Beringer Vineyard.
Numerous buildings throughout the Vineyard seamlessly blend
into the landscape, providing a historical context to the grapes
growing around you. Some have been here for over 100 years, a
testament to the quality of this Vineyard’s product. Many
buildings also contain examples of art produced in the region.
Beringer offers a number of different tour options. Beginners
should start with the “Introducing Beringer Tour”. This is also
the only tour at the winery open to those under 21. It
highlights different moments in Beringer’s 129 year history.
Other options include the Historic District Tour, the Vintage
Legacy Tour, and the Taste of Beringer Tour. Whichever you
choose, end at the Old Winery Tasting Bar.
Whether you choose Beringer or any of the fine wineries in the
Napa Valley, you’re sure to have a great experience wandering
through the quiet scenery. Let a Napa vineyard tour be a
highlight of your time in California.
About the Author: ZaZaGallery. Located in the wine country and
I must say that our art is the buss in our community. Our fine
art prints are gallery wrapped using the finest canvas and inks
to create a museum grade art piece .Our product is unique so
visit us at
http://www.zazagallery.com Thank you Hugh Parker
