Napa Wine: A History from Mission Days to Present

The Napa Valley of California has been recognized as a premier wine producing area since the 1870s. This is the first book to carefully examine & explain how Napa acquired this unique reputation: the soils, climate, grapes, & human resources that have built this panorama of viticultural excellence over 160 years. The earliest settlers, the Spanish missionaries, & a parade of fascinating characters & geniuses provide a true story of intrigue & adventure better than any fiction. Meticulously researched by a prominent professor of California history, this book is based on all original research sources, old newspapers, court documents & oral histories. From the pioneer days of 1836 to 1860 to the modern wine boom of the 1970s to 1991, it is all there. No punches are pulled. Very entertaining for any reader & absolutely essential for anyone interested in wine or California history. This book will become a basic reference. It is produced under the guidance of the Napa Wine Library & is beautifully illustrated with original drawings by Earl Thollander & hundreds of historic photos. Vintage charts from 1880 to 1993, over 25 tables detailing acreage, production statistics, grape income, & more.Sullivan, Charles L. is the author of 'Napa Wine: A History from Mission Days to Present' with ISBN 9780932664709 and ISBN 0932664709.