Napa Valley
Sunrise found us docked on the Napa River at Cuttings Wharf, a tiny wooden pier that rarely (if ever) is visited by an expedition ship as impressive as the National Geographic Sea Bird. The early morning fisher-folk who ambled down to the pier shook their heads in amused disbelief as they cast their lines into the rippling waters lit by the rising sun. Overhead long V’s of honking geese broke the stillness of the morning air. The chattering call of a belted kingfisher announced its presence before darting across our bow. Great blue herons and snowy egrets stood in silent patience along the water’s edge.
California wine was our focus for the day as we traveled northward by private motor coach through the lush vineyards of the Napa Valley. The fall colors of the vines were magnificent. Each variety of grape—cabernet, zinfandel, chardonnay, pinot noir—was clad with its own distinctive fall colors. Jack London, of the nearby Sonoma Valley, once called this annual spectacle “the autumn glory of the grape.”
The variety of vines and colors also recalled the diversity of peoples who have contributed to the success of the premium wine industry in the Golden State. Our lunchtime visit to COPIA (The American Center for Wine, Food and the Arts) reminded us of the key role played by Italian Americans such as the center’s founder Robert Mondavi. As we motored north along the Silverado Trail, we passed vineyards and wineries bearing names suggestive of France, Spain, and Germany. At Quintessa, a superb winery founded by Chilean immigrants, we came to appreciate the contribution of Latin Americans. Spanish banter filled the air as we watched the Quintessa crews meticulously process the harvested grapes, culling the inferior fruit and saving only the very best for the waiting vintners.
Sunrise found us docked on the Napa River at Cuttings Wharf, a tiny wooden pier that rarely (if ever) is visited by an expedition ship as impressive as the National Geographic Sea Bird. The early morning fisher-folk who ambled down to the pier shook their heads in amused disbelief as they cast their lines into the rippling waters lit by the rising sun. Overhead long V’s of honking geese broke the stillness of the morning air. The chattering call of a belted kingfisher announced its presence before darting across our bow. Great blue herons and snowy egrets stood in silent patience along the water’s edge.
California wine was our focus for the day as we traveled northward by private motor coach through the lush vineyards of the Napa Valley. The fall colors of the vines were magnificent. Each variety of grape—cabernet, zinfandel, chardonnay, pinot noir—was clad with its own distinctive fall colors. Jack London, of the nearby Sonoma Valley, once called this annual spectacle “the autumn glory of the grape.”
The variety of vines and colors also recalled the diversity of peoples who have contributed to the success of the premium wine industry in the Golden State. Our lunchtime visit to COPIA (The American Center for Wine, Food and the Arts) reminded us of the key role played by Italian Americans such as the center’s founder Robert Mondavi. As we motored north along the Silverado Trail, we passed vineyards and wineries bearing names suggestive of France, Spain, and Germany. At Quintessa, a superb winery founded by Chilean immigrants, we came to appreciate the contribution of Latin Americans. Spanish banter filled the air as we watched the Quintessa crews meticulously process the harvested grapes, culling the inferior fruit and saving only the very best for the waiting vintners.
