© McCormack's Guides
The heart of the California wine country, Napa County starts almost at San Pablo Bay, near Vallejo, and moves north in a rectangular shape that widens at the City of Napa until it hits Lake County, a distance of 35 miles. www.mccormacks.com
In square miles, 797, Napa County is about half the size of its western neighbor, Sonoma County, and equal to nearby Contra Costa County. Much of the land is sparsely populated.
The 2000 census counted 124,279 residents, an increase of 13,500 over the 1990 census. Almost all the increase came in two cities: The City of Napa added 10,750 residents, American Canyon 2,100. www.mccormacks.com
Napa is still growing. The state in 2010 estimated the county population at 138,917.
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| City or Area |
1990 |
2000 |
2010* |
| American Canyon |
7,706 |
9,774 |
16,836 |
| Angwin |
3,503 |
3,148 |
NA |
| Calistoga |
4,468 |
5,190 |
5,370 |
| Deer Park |
1,825 |
1,433 |
NA |
| Napa City |
61,842 |
72,585 |
78,791 |
| St. Helena |
4,990 |
5,950 |
6,010 |
| Yountville |
3,259 |
2,916 |
3,257 |
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| Source: 1990 census, 2000 census. *City population
estimates by California Dept. of Finance, 2010. www.mccormacks.com |
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In all seasons, Napa is a pretty and hospitable county.
The Napa Valley, drained by a river, runs up and down its west side, miles and miles of
neatly kept vineyards and wineries, many open for a tasting.
www.mccormacks.com
Ridges rise to the west, then sweep down to the Sonoma Valley,
another wine region.
To the east, the Napa Valley ascends into
terrain that falls and rises and here and there levels out into wine and ranch country until
it reaches a man-made lake, Berryessa, near the eastern border. Grand vistas. In the fall, after
a few rains, the countryside turns green almost overnight.
www.mccormacks.com
Where the Wineries and People Are
Although wineries thrive in the hills, the great majority are located in
Napa Valley, along with most of the county’s towns and residents. About 75 percent of the residents live in the five legal cities that run up the valley: American Canyon, City of Napa, Yountville, St. Helena and Calistoga. When you throw in the hamlets, the number is probably over 80 percent.
Crime is low; three homicides in 2004. School rankings, generally, middling to high. The commute to job centers, particularly in the East Bay, is not the greatest but many would find the trade-off — a nice home in a lovely area — worth an extra half hour on the road. In the last 25 years or so, suburbia has crept into the valley, to the consternation of many who think the region should be preserved for vineyards. www.mccormacks.com
Like the rest of California, Napa is becoming more diverse. The 2000 census counted 85,932 Caucasians, 29,416 Hispanics, 3,694 Asians, 1,645 African-Americans, 1,045 American Indians and 289 native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders.
The median age for all residents is 38. Children and teens under 18 make up 24 percent of the county. www.mccormacks.com
History
Napa was on the fringe of the Spanish-Mexican conquest. In the 1800s, the Californios gradually moved north of San Francisco. By the mid-1800s, the land was firmly in hands of settlers, the Indians almost all destroyed or scattered.
1830s. Californios, led by Mariano Vallejo, defeat the Wappo Indians in several battles. Smallpox sweeps the tribes, killing thousands. www.mccormacks.com
1836. First land grant made in the Napa Valley, to George Yount, a mountain man and trapper who had fought with General Andrew Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans. Arriving in Sonoma in the 1830s, he endeared himself to Vallejo and upon embracing Catholicism was granted 11,814 acres. Other land grants followed. Yount built a sawmill, ran his grant as a rancho, established a reputation for hospitality and welcomed American immigrants.
1846. Bear Flag Revolt. Yankees seize Vallejo at Sonoma. Mexican-American War breaks out, leading to defeat of Mexico and the absorption of California into the Union. www.mccormacks.com
1848-49. Gold discovered in Sierra. Invasion of Forty Niners. Demand for wheat and flour increased. Napa Valley prospered. Wheat was the major crop in late 1800s. Napa also was famous for its apples, peaches, olives and prunes.
1850. Napa County, one of the original 27, holds its first election. www.mccormacks.com
Dawning of Modern Wine Industry
1858. Although Mariano Vallejo had produced a crude wine that was fermented in cow skins, historians date the beginning of the modern wine industry in the Napa Valley with Charles Krug, a Prussian immigrant. In 1858, using a cider press, he produced 1,200 gallons of wine from grapes grown near Napa City. Krug apparently was influenced by Count Agoston Haraszthy, who did much to introduce and encourage wine production in the North Bay, especially in the nearby Sonoma Valley. Wine production greatly expanded in the 1860s, 1870s and 1880s. Phylloxera, a plant disease, devastated the vineyards in 1890s and forced growers to rethink methods, to the benefit of the industry. A vine native to Eastern United States and hearty enough to resist the disease was introduced.
1864. Construction begins on Napa Valley Railroad, from City of Napa to Calistoga, a popular resort. At Napa City, travelers take steamboat. www.mccormacks.com
1876. Napa State Asylum opens, cost $1.5 million, 600 patients. Hailed as one of the most progressive institutions in country. Becomes major employer, about 2,500 people near turn of century.
The 20th Century and Prohibition
1900. Napa starts the century with a population of 16,451. www.mccormacks.com
1920. Prohibition starts, a great blow to the valley. Many wineries fail. Some survived by concentrating on wine for medicinal or religious reasons — exempted from law — and by selling grapes so individuals could make wine. Law allowed each person to produce 200 gallons a year.
1933. Prohibition repealed. Wine industry starts to revive but is kept small by Depression. People don’t have money to buy wine. www.mccormacks.com
1941. World War II boomed the population of the county, many of the new residents going to work at naval yards in Vallejo. As part of war effort, Highway 29 was upgraded, which helped usher in suburbia after war.
Modern Times
1945. The end of World War II began a period of great prosperity in the United States. America discovers and rediscovers the joys of wine. www.mccormacks.com
Many people take to visiting the Valley to sample wines. Wineries open tasting rooms. Tourism becomes a big business in the valley.
1950s. To secure water supply, Berryessa Valley was dammed, creating a large lake now popular as a recreation spot. www.mccormacks.com
1966. Robert Mondavi opens his winery. Many vintners date the modern era, with its emphasis on quality, to the start of the Mondavi winery.
1968. Napa County Board of Supervisors restricts subdivisions to protect vineyards from encroaching suburbia. Protection remains a sensitive issue. Many fear car pollution and construction threaten vineyards.
1980s and 1990s. Cooking arts join fine wines, boosting Napa's reputation as a place to visit. Napa attracts about 5 million tourists a year. Culinary Institute of America opens in St. Helena. www.mccormacks.com
Mid-1990s. In 1998, after suffering through a wild and wet El Niño winter, voters approved an unusual plan to control flooding by purchasing land and allowing the Napa River to spread where God or nature intended. Late 1990s. Napa continues to nourish its wine country-artistic roots. Art school opens. Celebrities buy homes in county. Napa Valley Vintners' Association throws the best party in county, a fund-raiser for hospitals and charities.
2000. Earthquake rattles county and causes about $60 million damage.
2001. Copia opens. The American Center for Food, Wine and the Arts. Located in downtown Napa. Named for the Roman goddess of abundance.
2002-2004. City of Napa continues its improvements, its goal a downtown that will complement Copia and win renown as a pleasant place to visit, dine and shop. In 2003, the old opera house, restored and fitted out as a performance center, was opened. www.mccormacks.com
2004-2005. American Canyon, on the south side, continues to expand modestly, providing new homes. With the clean up of farm and municipal sewage, salmon return to the Napa River.
2006. Rains fall, Napa holds its breath, hoping that new flood measures will keep river within its banks. River had different agenda; floods portion of the downtown. Napa keeps working on the job. www.mccormacks.com
Official County Website: http://www.co.napa.ca.us/
