Napa Valley Wine Producing Region - Report Example

Napa Valley Wine Producing Region Napa Valley is an internationally recognized wine producing region in the United s. This region is prominent and reputed mainly for its quality wine production. Despite the fact that this region produces just 4% of California’s wine grapes, it significantly contributes to the economic well being of the Napa Valley and the United States as a whole. This paper will analyze the history, popularity, climate, and the overall potential of the Napa Valley wine producing region. Napa Valley is considered as one of the top wine producing regions in the world. Several factors including the Mediterranean climate, geology, and geography of the Napa Valley made this region fertile and apt for growing quality wine grapes (Napa Valley wine train). The popular wine growing region is located in Northern California. It is 50 miles northeast to San Francisco Bay Area and 60 miles west to Sacramento. Napa Valley is nearly 30 miles in length and 5 miles in width. In 1968, Napa Valley vintners and other community groups proactively enacted the nation’s first Agricultural Preserve with intent to preserve open space and to prevent future developmental interferences. The first commercial winery in Napa Valley was the Charles Krug Winery, which was established in 1861. Over the following few decades, the number of wineries in this region grew dramatically and reached over 140 by the end of the 19th century. Some of those long established wineries including Beringer, Mayacamas, Chateau Montelena, and Beaulieu are still operating (Napa Valley wine train). Another threat challenged the valley’s wine producing capabilities with the enactment of Prohibition in 1919. As a result, a number of vineyards were abandoned and many winemakers sought for other jobs following the next 14 years. However, the Prohibition was repealed in 1933 and therefore the Napa Valley’s wine industry obtained a new life and it had an expansion and renaissance since then. In order to survive the struggling years of World War II, a group of vintners joined together to share their experiences and views regarding grape growing and wine making. The group set the foundation for the Napa Valley Vintners, an organization established to promote the region’s wines. This dynamic trade organization gives particular focus to the valley’s wine marketing programs that try to reach out to wine enthusiasts all over the world. In addition to producing top quality wines, Napa Valley vintners tried to dominate the industry by paying particular attention to developing and sharing best grape growing and wine making practices. They promoted the development of land and community with equal vigor. By 1976, Napa Valley was becoming prominent for its top quality wine production. At that time, France was the world’s top leading wine champion. The Paris Wine Tasting of 1976 became a milestone in the history of Napa Valley wine production. During this event, “a Napa Valley Chardonnay from Chateau Montelena and a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars” were chosen over many famous French labels in a blind tasting (Napa Valley wine train). This blind tasting added to the region’s reputation as a world class wine producer. As Freese reports, an outbreak of phylloxera was detected in an A×R1 rootstock planted vineyard in the Napa Valley in 1983; and in response to this outbreak, many growers switched to other varieties that were more suitable to the Napa Valley’s soil and climate. Almost 75% of the phylloxera affected vineyards were replaced with phylloxera resistant rootstock by the end of 1990s (“Phylloxera Damage In Napa Valley..”). In 1982, the Napa Valley was officially declared as a key American Vitcultural Area (AVA). Since then, an additional 13 sub AVAs have also been declared. Currently, Napa Valley’s growers fight against the Glassy-winged sharpshooter, a pest which is a carrier of Pierce’s disease. Currently, the region has over 450 wineries that produce grape varieties such as Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel. Statistical reports indicate that roughly 4.7 million people visit Napa Valley each year. The dramatic seasonal variations in the Napa Valley region remain to be a secret. The springtime weather in this region is highly variable; it may range from 40 degree F to 80 degree F. During this season, the valley is sprinkled with pink and white blossoms. Since it is an off-season for tourism, hotel rooms become less expensive and the area may not be so crowded (Napa Valley wine train). Usually, summer daytime temperature in the Napa Valley varies between 70-80 degrees F but may rise to 100 degree F occasionally; and the grape vines develop leaves and therefore the whole valley will be greenish. On a close observation, small grape clusters on the vines can be seen and they will be fully matured by the late summer (Napa Valley wine train). In Napa Valley, fall is the time of harvest. At this time, workers reach the field in the early hours of the morning in order to harvest grapes without much damage to grape clusters. The color of the grape leaves changes and hence the whole valley is seen in a yellow-orange color combination. Even if the temperature remains high, this is the peak season for tourism here (Napa Valley wine train). During the winter season, grape vines lose leaves and the January rains make the valley greenish once again. In the winter, Napa Valley’s temperature falls to 40-50 degrees F range. It is identified to be the low season for tourism (Napa Valley wine train). As discussed already, California’s Napa Valley is the most prominent and reputed wine producing region in America. According to McCarthy and Ewing-Mulligan, it is surprising to note that Napa Valley wine yards contribute only about four percent to the total wine production in California, because most of the valley’s wineries are small in size except some larger wineries such as Robert Mondavi Winery, Sutter Home, and Beringer. And it seems that some Napa Valley wineries own large vineyards whereas some others depend on external independent grape growers to obtain the supply of grapes. Some wineries buy wine bulkily from other wine producers. It must be also noted that some Napa Valley wine producers do not own wineries. They bring the grapes produced to custom-crush wine facilities and the grapes are processed on a rental basis. In an international perspective, Napa Valley wine region is only about one-eighth the size of Bordeaux wine region in France. “Extensive science research recently completed by the NVV reveals that a unique combination of complex topography, diverse bedrock, and surficial geology, a wide variety of defined soil types, and climatic variation combine to form one of the most beautiful and geologically complex wine regions in the world” (“History of Wine Making..”). According to a report published in 2008, the Napa Valley region has 626 grape growers. The report says that the annual economic influence of the Napa Valley wine industry on the Napa County is $10.9 billion. Likewise, the annual economic impact of the Napa Valley wine industry on the American economy was estimated to be $42.4 billion (“Economic Impact of the Napa Valley..”). Although Napa Valley is a small county, its quality wine is the heart of the nation’s economic prosperity and the main reason for the region’s international prominence. As discussed already, the Napa Valley’s wine and vineyard industries attract millions of visitors to the county each year. Financial data indicate that visitors spend nearly $714 million in the county in terms of wine related tourism (“Economic Impact of the Napa Valley). Due to the international prominence of this region, many businesses such as hotels and restaurants obtain huge number of clients each year. From the above discussion, it is clear that Napa Valley wine industry gained international attention with the Paris Wine Tasting of 1976. The Napa Valley’s seasonal climatic variations indicate another notable feature of this area. This region attracts millions of tourists each year and contributes to the nation’s economic wellbeing. Work Cited “Economic Impact of the Napa Valley Wine Industry”. Stonebridge research. Oct 2008. Web 18 2013. Freese, Philips. “Using Remote Senslng And Geographic Information Systems To Analyze “History of Wine Making in Napa Valley”. Golden haven. 2011. Web 18 2013. McCarthy and Ewing-Mulligan. “Napa Valley Vintners”. 1944. Web 18 2013. Napa Valley wine train. “About Napa”. 2013. Web 18 2013. “Phylloxera Damage In Napa Valley Vineyards.” Jan 13, 1995 Web 18 2013. Read More