Of the many New World Wine Regions, Napa and Sonoma are probably the most famous, but why? There are many reasons, and they are found in both the stories and the insights that an insider has access to. Considering the location, its popularity seems improbable, because Sonoma and Napa are the northern most points in the Spanish Empire's expansion in the Americas. It was a place that was hard to reach by land, with a coastline that was rocky, and fog bound. When they finally arrived in Sonoma, we're convinced that the Spanish thought to themselves, "We've arrived in Eden, we don't need to go any farther." Sonoma and Napa are located in a special place, that at one time was considered the far ends of the Earth, a place where explorers, adventurers and the foolish went, which made for a very interesting demographic. What is surprising is how different Sonoma and Napa are, located on either side of the Mayacamas Mountains. We often describe Sonoma as the older sister, who is a good-looking girl, a great cook and gardener, always content with her family and friends. Napa is her golden-haired little brother, who is endlessly curious about the outside world, and every time he walks in the room, everybody makes a fuss. It drives Sonoma crazy, but Napa adores his big sister.
These stories and insights about Wine Country, covering its origins and culture, were gathered over twenty years, while tour guides, Ralph and Lahni DeAmicis, stood in the back of tasting rooms listening to the hosts talk about the region, while pouring wine for their tour clients. They found that every story had at least three versions, so they melded them together, using as their guide what felt right. They present a wonderfully revealing picture of this remarkable place and the people who have helped make it special.
They include the stories of the Chinese Treasure Fleets that explored this coast in the 1400's, the English who arrived in the 1600's and how the Spanish literally fell over the inlet to the San Francisco Bay in the late 1700's. It talks about why the region is so good for growing wine grapes and what's involved in owning a winery. The story of the first settlers in Sonoma, and how the Spanish and the Russians got along is both romantic and remarkable. A look at how the wine industry, and the tasting rooms evolved provides a wonderful context for visitors. The inside story of the famous 'Judgment of Paris' wine tasting that made Napa famous, and all the women behind it, makes great reading. The four versions of how Mount Saint Helena got her name, and the two versions of how the Silverado Trail came to be, are both wonderful stories. On top of these are more stories and insights from two tour guides who have traveled throughout this beautiful region, and have told these tales hundreds of times, over their shoulders, while driving their wine tour guests. The stories surely improved in the telling! They hope you enjoy them.