Napa County, California

Napa County, California
County
County of Napa
Images, from top down, left to right: Napa Valley welcome sign, Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park, a view of Calistoga from Mount Saint Helena, Lake Berryessa
Current seal Former seal
Location in the state of California
California's location in the United States
Coordinates: 38°30′N 122°19′W / 38.50°N 122.32°W / 38.50; -122.32Coordinates: 38°30′N 122°19′W / 38.50°N 122.32°W / 38.50; -122.32
Country	United States
State	California
Region	San Francisco Bay Area
Incorporated	February 18, 1850[1]
Named for	The city of Napa
County seat	Napa
Area
• Total	789 sq mi (2,040 km2)
• Land	748 sq mi (1,940 km2)
• Water	40 sq mi (100 km2)
Highest elevation[2]	4,203 ft (1,281 m)
Population (April 1, 2010)[3]
• Total	136,484
• Estimate (2016)[4]	142,166
• Density	170/sq mi (67/km2)
Time zone	Pacific Time Zone (UTC−8)
• Summer (DST)	Pacific Daylight Time (UTC−7)
Area code	707
FIPS code	06-055
GNIS feature ID	277292
Website	www.countyofnapa.org

Napa County is a county located north of San Pablo Bay in the northern portion of the U.S. state of California. As of the 2010 census, the population was 136,484.^[3] The county seat is the City of Napa.^[5] Napa County was one of the original counties of California,^[6] created in 1850 at the time of statehood. Parts of the county's territory were given to Lake County in 1861.

Napa County comprises the Napa, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA Combined Statistical Area. It is one of four North Bay counties.^[7]

Napa County, once the producer of many different crops, is known today for its regional wine industry, rising to the first rank of wine regions with France by local wineries Stag's Leap Wine Cellars and Chateau Montelena winning the "Judgment of Paris" in 1976.

History

Prehistory–18th century

In prehistoric times, the valley was inhabited by the Patwin Native Americans, with possible habitation by Wappo tribes in the northwestern foothills. Most villages are thought to have been constructed near the floodplains of watercourses that drain the valley. Their food consisted of wild roots, acorns, small animals, earthworms, grasshoppers, and bread made from crushed California buckeye kernels. In winter they would construct huts made of tree branches. In summer they camped near rivers and streams. In winter months, they were half clad in wild animal skins and at other times they wore no clothing. The maximum prehistoric population is thought not to have exceeded 5000 persons.^[8]

In 1776, a fort was erected by the Spanish Governor, Felipe de Neve a short distance northwest of Napa, on an elevated plateau.^[9] Russians from Sonoma County's Fort Ross grazed cattle and sheep in the Napa Valley in the early 19th century and in 1841 a survey party from the fort placed a plaque on the summit of Mount Saint Helena.

Early 19th century

Francis Castro and Father Jose Altimura were the first Europeans to explore the Napa Valley, in 1823.^[10] When the first white settlers arrived in the early 1830s, there were six tribes in the valley speaking different dialects and they were often at war with each other. The Mayacomos tribe lived in the area where Calistoga was founded. The Callajomans were in the area near where the town of St. Helena now stands. Further south, the Kymus dwelt in the middle part of the valley. The Napa and Ulcus tribes occupied part of the area where the City of Napa now exists while the Soscol tribe occupied the portion that now makes up the southern end of the valley. Many of the native peoples died during a smallpox epidemic in 1838. Settlers also killed several over claims of cattle theft.

During the era between 1836 and 1846, when California was a province of independent Mexico, the following 13 ranchos were granted in Napa County:^[11]

George C. Yount was an early settler in Napa County and is believed to be the first Anglo-Saxon resident in the county. In 1836 Yount obtained the Mexican grant Rancho Caymus where he built what is said to be the first log house in California. Soon afterward, he built a sawmill and grain mill, and was the first person to plant a vineyard in the county. Following Yount's death in 1865 at age 71, the town of Yountville was named in his honor.

Following his marriage to General Vallejo’s niece Maria Guadalupe Soberanes, Edward Turner Bale became a citizen of Mexico and was granted Rancho Carne Humana in the northern end of the valley. Bale completed building the Bale Grist Mill a few miles north of St. Helena in 1846. Colonel Joseph B. Chiles a guide for one of the earliest immigrant trains to California, was granted Rancho Catacula in 1844.

The Town of Napa was founded on Rancho Entre Napa by Nathan Coombs in 1847.

Following the event of the Mexican–American War, Bear Flag Revolt in 1846 and the Mexican Cession in 1848, settlers were granted deeds from the original ranchos during the 1850s through 1870s. To this day, a number of streets and landmarks around the valley reflect the names of these ranchos and original grantees.

Late 19th century

Napa County was formed and became one of the original California counties when the state became part of the United States in 1850.

Descendants of George Yount and Captain Edward Bale played key roles in the early development of Napa County. Yount's granddaughter Elizabeth Yount married Thomas Rutherford in 1864. The couple received as a wedding gift from George Yount, land in the area of the valley now known as Rutherford. Rutherford established himself as a serious grower and producer of fine wines in the following years. Bale's oldest daughter Lolita married the seaman Louis Bruck. When Bale died in 1848, Bruck became the executor of the will for the family. He was elected the first mayor of Napa City when incorporated in 1872. Charles Krug, a fellow Prussian compatriot and pioneer viticulturalist at Sonoma, married Lolita's younger sister Caroline with a dowry that included land near the Bale mill. Krug then moved north of St. Helena to establish the valley's first commercial winery.

John Patchett opened the first commercial winery in the county in 1859. The vineyard and wine cellar were located in an area that is now in the city limits of Napa. After working as a winemaker for Patchett, Charles Krug founded his own winery in St. Helena 1861.^[12]

The county's population began to grow in the mid century as pioneers, prospectors, and entrepreneurs moved in and set up residence. During this period, settlers primarily raised cattle and farmed grain and fruit crops. Mineral mining also played a role in the economics of the county. In 1858 the great silver rush began in Napa Valley, and miners flocked to the eastern hills. While gold was being prospected in other areas of the state in the 1850s, Napa County became a center for silver and quicksilver mining. In the 1860s, mining carried on, on a large scale, with quicksilver mines operating in many areas of Napa County.

In 1866 John Lawley established a toll road from Calistoga over Mount Saint Helena to Lake County.

Robert Louis Stevenson's book The Silverado Squatters provides a snapshot of life and insight into some of the characters that lived around the valley during the later part of the 19th century. Stevenson, accompanied by his new bride Fanny Vandegrift and her 12-year-old son from a previous marriage, Lloyd Osbourne, spent the late spring and early summer of 1880 honeymooning in an abandoned bunk house at a played out mine near the summit of Mount Saint Helena. In the book, Stevenson's descriptive writing style documented his ventures in the area and profiled several of the early pioneers who played a role in shaping the region's commerce and society. Stevenson's book also brought attention to the various spas and hot springs in the county. From Calistoga to Æetna Springs in Pope Valley to Soda Springs Resort a few miles east of Napa, tourists of the late 19th and early 20th centuries made the county their destination much the same as modern day tourists. The resorts became very popular with San Franciscans anxious to escape the cold and foggy weather that often plagues the city to enjoy the warmer climate that Napa County offered.

In the mid-1880s, entrepreneur Samuel Brannan purchased land in the northern end of the valley at the foot of Mount Saint Helena and founded Calistoga. He began developing it as a resort town taking advantage of or the area’s numerous mineral hot springs. He also founded the Napa Valley Railroad Company in 1864 to bring tourists to Calistoga from San Francisco ferry boats that docked in Vallejo. Brannan’s railroad venture failed and was sold at a foreclosure sale in 1869. The railroad eventually came under ownership of Southern Pacific Railroad late in the 19th century.

The Veterans Home of California Yountville was established in Yountville in 1884 by the San Francisco chapter of the Grand Army of the Republic. The State of California assumed administration of the Home in 1897.^[13]

20th and 21st centuries

By the end of the 1900s, farmers had planted over 500,000 fruit and nut trees in the county, especially prunes and pears. This helped to soften the blows to the agricultural economy caused by the phylloxera infestation in the county's vineyards and upcoming prohibition that crippled the wine industry, but resulted in a boom for shipping grapes to immigrant, home winemakers across the country.

During World War II, the Basalt Rock Company located south of the City of Napa on the Napa River, built 3 dozen salvage rescue tugs for the United States Navy.^[14] Following the war, several small and medium size businesses began operating in the County. A large majority of these businesses were related to the wine industry and tourism. Agriculture in the county remained very diverse until late in the 20th century when wine grapes again became the primary focus. While vineyards were planted on well over 90% of the agricultural land in the county, by the end of the 20th century, modern day farmers have recently begun exploring the possibility of raising other food crops in order to again diversify and take advantage of growing conditions.^[15]

At 3:20 a.m. on August 24, 2014, the area was struck by a magnitude 6.0 earthquake centered 3.7 miles (6.0 km) northwest of the city of American Canyon.^[16][17]

Geography and environment

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 789 square miles (2,040 km²), of which 748 square miles (1,940 km²) is land and 40 square miles (100 km²) (5.1%) is water.^[18]

Napa is warmer in the summer than Sonoma County, to the west, or Santa Barbara County, a wine-producing county in southern California. Thus, the Napa wineries favor varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, while Pinot noir and Chardonnay are more the specialty of Sonoma and Santa Barbara wineries. At the north end of Napa County, in the Mayacamas Mountains, lies Mount Saint Helena, the Bay Area's second tallest peak at 4,344 feet (1,323 m) and home to Robert Louis Stevenson State Park; Snell Valley is also situated in northern Napa County; the Missimer Wildflower Preserve is within Snell Valley. At the west side of the Napa Valley is Hood Mountain, elevation 2,750 feet (838 m).

Napa County is home to a variety of flora and fauna including numerous rare and endangered species such as Tiburon Indian paintbrush and Contra Costa goldfields.

National protected area

• San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge (part)

Rivers and creeks

• Napa River
• Milliken Creek
• Putah Creek

Lakes, marshes and reservoirs

Demographics

2011

Population, race, and income
Total population[19]	135,377
White[19]	109,997	81.3%
Black or African American[19]	2,710	2.0%
American Indian or Alaska Native[19]	982	0.7%
Asian[19]	9,209	6.8%
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander[19]	441	0.3%
Some other race[19]	7,692	5.7%
Two or more races[19]	4,346	3.2%
Hispanic or Latino (of any race)[20]	42,603	31.5%
Per capita income[21]	$35,309
Median household income[22]	$68,641
Median family income[23]	$79,884

Places by population, race, and income

Places by population and race
Place	Type[24]	Population[19]	White[19]	Other[19] [note 1]	Asian[19]	Black or African American[19]	Native American[19] [note 2]	Hispanic or Latino (of any race)[20]
American Canyon	City	18,489	48.7%	9.4%	33.4%	6.5%	2.0%	24.7%
Angwin	CDP	3,179	69.6%	9.9%	13.1%	7.1%	0.3%	25.3%
Calistoga	City	5,159	93.3%	4.7%	0.9%	1.0%	0.0%	38.2%
Deer Park	CDP	1,047	92.0%	2.8%	5.3%	0.0%	0.0%	3.5%
Moskowite Corner	CDP	151	84.8%	15.2%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Napa	City	76,560	85.9%	10.0%	2.2%	0.9%	1.0%	38.1%
Oakville	CDP	137	72.3%	0.0%	0.0%	19.0%	8.8%	1.5%
Rutherford	CDP	161	100.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	26.7%
St. Helena	City	5,838	85.5%	8.7%	2.8%	1.7%	1.4%	25.1%
Silverado Resort	CDP	1,199	90.2%	5.7%	4.1%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Yountville	City	2,943	91.8%	4.2%	1.6%	1.9%	0.5%	12.8%

Places by population and income
Place	Type[24]	Population[25]	Per capita income[21]	Median household income[22]	Median family income[23]
American Canyon	City	18,489	$27,998	$83,581	$91,587
Angwin	CDP	3,179	$25,140	$64,479	$80,179
Calistoga	City	5,159	$30,001	$51,974	$64,356
Deer Park	CDP	1,047	$70,862	$102,273	$140,972
Moskowite Corner	CDP	151	$21,191	$31,906	$56,023
Napa	City	76,560	$30,783	$62,642	$71,964
Oakville	CDP	137	$33,126	$90,875	[26]
Rutherford	CDP	161	$86,111	$59,457	$163,229
St. Helena	City	5,838	$46,590	$68,404	$75,768
Silverado Resort	CDP	1,199	$97,089	$151,000	$170,924
Yountville	City	2,943	$42,152	$68,368	$70,917

2010

The 2010 United States Census reported that Napa County had a population of 136,484. The racial makeup of Napa County was 97,525 (71.5%) White, 2,668 (2.0%) African American, 1,058 (0.8%) Native American, 9,223 (6.8%) Asian, 372 (0.3%) Pacific Islander, 20,058 (14.7%) from other races, and 5,580 (4.1%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 44,010 persons (32.2%).^[27]

Population reported at 2010 United States Census
The County	Total Population	White	African American	Native American	Asian	Pacific Islander	other races	two or more races	Hispanic or Latino (of any race)
Napa County	136,484	97,525	2,668	1,058	9,223	372	20,058	5,580	44,010
Incorporated city	Total Population	White	African American	Native American	Asian	Pacific Islander	other races	two or more races	Hispanic or Latino (of any race)
American Canyon	19,454	7,564	1,535	142	6,396	176	2,357	1,284	5,009
Calistoga	5,155	3,735	27	21	47	10	968	347	2,545
Napa	76,915	57,754	486	637	1,755	144	13,256	2,883	28,923
St. Helena	5,814	4,525	25	35	98	9	978	144	1,914
Yountville	2,933	2,623	38	30	49	0	92	101	289
Census-designated place	Total Population	White	African American	Native American	Asian	Pacific Islander	other races	two or more races	Hispanic or Latino (of any race)
Angwin	3,051	2,124	139	22	339	5	234	188	625
Deer Park	1,267	1,108	13	9	51	0	61	25	147
Moskowite Corner	211	183	1	14	1	0	8	4	25
Oakville	71	26	0	1	1	1	38	4	45
Rutherford	164	123	0	0	0	0	30	11	70
Silverado Resort	1,095	1,010	1	1	36	4	28	15	59
Unincorporated communities	Total Population	White	African American	Native American	Asian	Pacific Islander	other races	two or more races	Hispanic or Latino (of any race)
All others not CDPs (combined)	20,354	16,750	403	146	450	23	2,008	574	4,359

2000

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1850	405		—
1860	5,521		1,263.2%
1870	7,163		29.7%
1880	13,235		84.8%
1890	16,411		24.0%
1900	16,451		0.2%
1910	19,800		20.4%
1920	20,678		4.4%
1930	22,897		10.7%
1940	28,503		24.5%
1950	46,603		63.5%
1960	65,890		41.4%
1970	79,140		20.1%
1980	99,199		25.3%
1990	110,765		11.7%
2000	124,279		12.2%
2010	136,484		9.8%
Est. 2016	142,166	[4]	4.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[28] 1790–1960[29] 1900–1990[30] 1990–2000[31] 2010–2015[3]

As of the census^[32] of 2000, there were 124,279 people, 45,402 households, and 30,691 families residing in the county. The population density was 165 people per square mile (64/km²). There were 48,554 housing units at an average density of 64 per square mile (25/km²). The racial makeup of the county in 2010 was 56.4% non-Hispanic White, 1.8% non-Hispanic Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 6.6% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 0.2% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. 32.2% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 11.9% were of German, 9.7% English, 8.6% Irish, 6.7% Italian and 5.3% American ancestry according to Census 2000. 75.3% spoke English, 19.5% Spanish and 1.1% Tagalog as their first language.

There were 45,402 households out of which 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.2% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.4% were non-families. 25.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.16.

In the county, the population was spread out with 24.1% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 99.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.4 males.

Government

Napa County is governed by a five-member Board of Supervisors. The current supervisors are:

• District 1: Brad Wagenknecht,
• District 2: Mark Luce,
• District 3: Diane Dillon,
• District 4: Alfredo Pedroza,^[33] and
• District 5: Keith Caldwell.^[34]

In the United States House of Representatives, Napa County is in California's 5th congressional district, represented by Democrat Mike Thompson.^[35]

In the California State Legislature, Napa County is in the 4th Assembly District, represented by Democrat Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, and the 3rd Senate District, represented by Democrat Bill Dodd.^[36]

The county is one of three counties in California to establish a separate department to deal with corrections pursuant to California Government Code §23013, along with Santa Clara County and Madera County.^[37]

Politics

Napa County vote
by party in presidential elections^[38]

Year	GOP	DEM	Others
2016	28.37% 17,411	63.87% 39,199	7.76% 4,762
2012	34.28% 19,526	62.97% 35,870	2.76% 1,572
2008	32.67% 19,484	65.14% 38,849	2.19% 1,309
2004	38.97% 22,059	59.48% 33,666	1.54% 874
2000	39.89% 20,633	54.32% 28,097	5.79% 2,994
1996	36.09% 17,439	50.89% 24,588	13.02% 6,292
1992	29.30% 15,662	45.30% 24,215	25.40% 13,578
1988	50.19% 23,235	48.14% 22,283	1.67% 772
1984	57.77% 26,322	40.82% 18,599	1.40% 640
1980	53.67% 23,632	33.83% 14,898	12.50% 5,505
1976	51.83% 20,839	44.89% 18,048	3.28% 1,318
1972	59.61% 23,403	37.01% 14,529	3.39% 1,329
1968	43.76% 14,270	45.27% 14,762	10.98% 3,580
1964	37.06% 11,567	62.74% 19,580	0.20% 63
1960	52.56% 15,125	46.91% 13,499	0.54% 154
1956	55.93% 13,610	43.66% 10,623	0.41% 100
1952	61.46% 14,065	37.82% 8,655	0.71% 163
1948	52.82% 8,724	43.64% 7,207	3.54% 585
1944	47.48% 7,092	51.87% 7,748	0.64% 96
1940	46.09% 5,924	52.68% 6,771	1.23% 158
1936	38.24% 3,973	60.35% 6,270	1.41% 147
1932	36.97% 3,521	60.32% 5,745	2.71% 258
1928	57.48% 4,699	41.86% 3,422	0.66% 54
1924	54.82% 3,605	10.19% 670	34.99% 2,301
1920	70.99% 4,448	23.05% 1,444	5.97% 374
1916	52.46% 3,914	41.39% 3,088	6.15% 459
1912	0.00% 0	46.55% 2,662	53.45% 3,057
1908	59.08% 2,405	32.82% 1,336	8.11% 330
1904	63.30% 2,425	29.63% 1,135	7.07% 271
1900	56.71% 2,017	40.26% 1,432	3.04% 108
1896	57.03% 2,032	41.31% 1,472	1.66% 59
1892	50.79% 1,769	42.43% 1,478	6.78% 236

Napa County vote
by party in gubernatorial elections

Year	GOP	DEM
2014	31.8% 12,059	68.2% 25,846
2010	38.1% 17,873	57.1% 26,766
2006	54.6% 23,187	38.8% 16,504
2003	39.6% 16,097	34.7% 14,115
2002	36.8% 13,483	47.8% 17,516
1998	35.2% 15,193	59.9% 25,809
1994	54.7% 23,429	40.7% 17,454
1990	47.2% 18,931	47.5% 19,017
1986	68.1% 26,445	29.5% 11,456
1982	54.2% 21,812	42.3% 17,042
1978	41.1% 15,621	50.5% 19,202
1974	50.1% 16,048	47.4% 15,200
1970	55.3% 16,844	42.7% 13,018
1966	59.5% 17,740	40.5% 12,060
1962	44.7% 12,326	53.5% 14,748

Historically, Napa County leaned Republican. It only supported a Democrat for president twice from 1948 to 1988. However, a Republican hasn't carried the county since George H. W. Bush in 1988. It is now one of the most Democratic counties in California, and is reckoned as part of the solid bloc of blue counties in the northern part of the state.

On November 4, 2008, Napa County voted 56% against Proposition 8, which amended the California Constitution to ban same-sex marriages.^[39]

According to the California Secretary of State, as of February 10, 2017, Napa County has 76,038 registered voters, out of 93,926 eligible (81.0%). Of those, 35,660 (46.9%) are registered Democrats, 18,417 (24.2%) are registered Republicans, and 17,827 (23.4%) have declined to state a political party.^[40] Although heavily Democratic compared to the rest of the state, Napa County is not as Democratic as the other counties in the Bay Area.

Voter registration

Population and registered voters
Total population[19]	135,377
Registered voters[40][note 3]	76,038	56.2%
Democratic[40]	35,660	46.9%
Republican[40]	18,417	24.2%
Democratic–Republican spread[40]	+17,243	+22.7%
American Independent[40]	2,311	3.0%
Green[40]	639	0.8%
Libertarian[40]	589	0.8%
Peace and Freedom[40]	207	0.3%
Other[40]	388	0.5%
No party preference[40]	17,827	23.4%

Cities by population and voter registration

Cities by population and voter registration
City	Population[19]	Registered voters[40] [note 3]	Democratic[40]	Republican[40]	D–R spread[40]	Other[40]	No party preference[40]
American Canyon	18,489	56.9%	51.5%	15.7%	+35.8%	4.4%	28.4%
Calistoga	5,159	46.7%	53.2%	18.8%	+34.4%	5.2%	22.8%
Napa	76,560	54.8%	48.1%	23.7%	+24.4%	5.6%	22.6%
St. Helena	5,838	57.2%	47.3%	24.8%	+22.5%	4.2%	23.7%
Yountville	2,943	67.9%	45.6%	25.9%	+19.7%	6.5%	22.0%

Crime

The following table includes the number of incidents reported and the rate per 1,000 persons for each type of offense.

Population and crime rates
Population[19]	135,377
Violent crime[41]	580	4.28
Homicide[41]	1	0.01
Forcible rape[41]	34	0.25
Robbery[41]	93	0.69
Aggravated assault[41]	452	3.34
Property crime[41]	1,634	12.07
Burglary[41]	716	5.29
Larceny-theft[41][note 4]	2,091	15.45
Motor vehicle theft[41]	309	2.28
Arson[41]	13	0.10

Cities by population and crime rates

Cities by population and crime rates
City	Population[42]	Violent crimes[42]	Violent crime rate per 1,000 persons	Property crimes[42]	Property crime rate per 1,000 persons
American Canyon	19,873	64	3.22	616	31.00
Calistoga	5,266	4	0.76	64	12.15
Napa	78,589	216	2.75	1,643	20.91
St. Helena	5,939	3	0.51	86	14.48
Yountville	2,984	7	2.35	56	18.77

Economy

Major Economic Activity in Napa County^[43] (Highest number in each category highlighted)

Economic Sector (NAICS code description)	Number of paid employees (2012)	Annual Payroll (2012)	Number of Establishments (2012)	Gross Revenue (2012)	Major Employers[44]
Health Care and Social Assistance	11,022	$667,321,000	406		Kaiser Permanente, Queen of the Valley Medical Center, St. Helena Hospital, Veterans Home, Napa State Hospital, Community Health Clinic Ole, The Doctors Company
Accommodation and Food Services	10,025	$246,578,000	375		Napa Valley Marriott Hotel & Spa, The Carneros Inn, The Meritage Resort and Spa, The French Laundry, The Restaurant at Meadowood, Auberge du Soleil, Bouchon, La Toque, Solbar, Terra
Manufacturing (Includes winemaking)	9,981	$672,448,000	431	$4,576,801,000[45]	Over 500 wineries; See Napa Valley Vinters for details
Retail trade	6,469	$191,398,000	536		Walmart, Central Valley Business Supply, Bell Products
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services (Includes government)	3,340	$96,671,000	200		County of Napa, City of Napa, City of American Canyon
Construction	2,483	$138,800,000	409		Nova Group
Educational Services	(1000-2499)	$44,100,000	56		Napa Unified School District, Napa County Office of Education
Wholesale trade	2,275	$146,131,000	200
Agriculture (Includes grapegrowing)	601-6790 (seasonal)[46]	$22,526,000	40		Vineyard management companies and farmers, see Napa Farm Bureau for details
Professional, Scientific and Professional Services	1,676	$99,988,000	396
Finance and Insurance	1,565	$136,673,000	203		The Bank of Napa, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Umpqua Bank, Rabobank, Westamerica Bank

Wine

Napa Valley is widely considered one of the top American Viticultural Areas in California, and all of the United States, with a history dating back to the early nineteenth century. By the end of the nineteenth century, there were more than 140 wineries in the area. Of those original wineries several still exist in the valley today including Charles Krug Winery, Schramsberg, Chateau Montelena, Nichelini and Beringer. Viticulture in Napa suffered a setback when prohibition was enacted across the country in 1920.^[47] Furthering the damage was an infestation of the phylloxera root louse which killed many of the vines through the valley. These two events caused many wineries to shut down and stalled the growth of the wine industry in Napa County for years. But for many Italian and Swiss families as farm labor in the vineyards, Prohibition offered the unique opportunity for the growing and shipping of grapes to immigrant homewinemakers across the country. Charles Forni, who received a gold coin as his first U.S. dollar upon arriving, rose to be a large shipper. The Mondavi family came West from the Minnesota ore-country to Lodi to ship grapes to the "Italian Club" miners. When Prohibition stopped in 1933, the price of grapes crashed to below $24 per ton. Then A.P. Giannini, founder of Bank of America at San Francisco, started to promote to rebuild the commerce of wine and viticulture. Following the Second World War, the wine industry in Napa again began to grow. But cattle and prunes were king.

In 1965, Napa Valley icon Robert Mondavi broke away from his family's Charles Krug estate to found his own. This was the first new large scale winery to be established in the valley since before prohibition. Following the establishment of the Mondavi estate, the number of wineries in the valley continued to grow, as did the region's reputation. Consumer trends followed the 60s free lifestyle for experimentation. The old "paesano" customers of "dego red" gallon jug wines changed to young women who considered white wine, not beer, as their new drink of choice for romance. Robert Mondavi Winery attracted new wine aficionados by introducing the larger, 1.5 liter wine bottle for an image of affordable quality.

In addition to large scale wineries, Napa Valley's boutique wineries produce some of the world's best wines. The producers of these wines include but are not limited to: Araujo, Bryant Family, Chimney Rock Winery, Colgin Cellars, Dalla Valle Maya, Diamond Creek, Dominus Estate, Duckhorn Vineyards, Dunn Howell Mountain, Grace Family Vineyards, Harlan Estate, Husic, Kistler, Jericho Canyon Vineyards, Marcassin, Rutherford Hill Winery, Screaming Eagle,Sequoia Grove, Shafer Hillside Select, Spencer-Roloson Winery, Spoto Wines, Steltzner Vineyards and Bouchaine Vineyards.

Today Napa Valley features more than four hundred wineries and grows many different grape varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Zinfandel, and other popular varietals. Napa Valley is visited by as many as five million people each year.

Agricultural preservation

Napa County has maintained a rural agricultural environment in a large portion of the valley floor while neighboring Sonoma, Solano and Yolo counties have allowed large tracts of former farmland to be rezoned for commercial and residential development. In 1968 vintners and civic leaders in the county seized an opportunity to preserve farmland by taking advantage of the Williamson Act^[48] enacted by the California Legislature to give landowners property tax relief for designating their land for agricultural purposes. This agricultural preserve^[49] on the floor of the valley in unincorporated areas between Napa and Calistoga was the first of its kind in the state. Initially, the preserve encompassed 23,000 acres (93.1 km²), since founding it has grown to more than 30,000 acres (121.4 km²). In 2010, legislation was passed by the California State Senate and State Assembly and sent to the Governor for signing in the form of Senate Bill 1142. This bill was created to provide relief stream of funding to augment the Williamson Act.^[50]

The county has resisted encroachment on the preserve since it was created with voters reaffirming their desire keep it intact on several occasions. In 1990 voters passed Measure J^[51] adopting an initiative freezing all county zoning changes until the year 2020 unless there is a ⅔ majority vote to adopt such changes.^[52] Measure J was reaffirmed by a 5-2 vote of the California Supreme Court in 1995 in the case of Devita v. County of Napa.^[53]

The Land Trust of Napa County^[54] was founded in 1976 by a group of local citizens with a mission to protect the natural diversity, scenic open space and agricultural vitality of the county. The trust acquires conservation easements, facilitates land transfers to local, state and federal agencies along with accepting outright donations of land within and outside the boundary of the agricultural preserve. The trust now covers over 50,000 acres (202.3 km²).^[55]

While establishment of the agricultural preserve and the land trust has slowed residential development in much of the county, residential growth within the incorporated cities has continued at a moderate pace. Several substantial homes have been built on the hills surrounding the valley in areas not covered by the preserve or the land trust. A large portion of the land south of the City of Napa remained undeveloped for many decades until the 1980s. Several wine bottling facilities and wine storage warehouses now stand on what was once vacant land. A number of light industries have also sprung up in this region as new business parks have been built. The growth of American Canyon,^[56] Napa County’s southernmost and newest city; incorporated in 1992 has prompted the establishment of several new retail outlets in the southern end of the county in recent years. American Canyon has also established a green belt preserve of over 1,000 acres (4.0 km²) on the western and eastern sides of the city.

In November, 2009, the Napa Valley Vintners Association, the Napa Farm Bureau, the Napa Valley Grapegrowers and an advocacy group called Preserving the Integrity of Napa's Agriculture completed a two-year study of Genetically Engineered Organisms (GEOs),^[57] and released a joint letter recommending no GEO usage in Napa County until the risks and benefits of GEOs are reevaluated and a "satisfactory" regulatory framework is put in place.^[58]

Education

In addition to its many public and private schools, two colleges also operate in the County. Pacific Union College, classified as a National Liberal Arts College by the Carnegie Foundation, is the county's only four-year college and serves roughly 1500 students. Napa Valley College, a community college, offers two-year degrees in the county.

Library

The Napa County Library, is the public library of Napa California. The main branch is located in downtown Napa. There are three branch libraries, in American Canyon, Calistoga and Yountville.

Napa County Library is a member of LINK+, a union catalog of contributed holdings from participating libraries in California and Nevada.

Media

• Napa Valley Register
• Napa SentinelGTF
• KVON AM
• KVYN FM
• St. Helena Star

Transportation

Major highways

• State Route 12
• State Route 29
• State Route 121
• State Route 128
• State Route 221

Public transportation

Napa Valley VINE operates local bus service in Napa, along with an intercity route along State Route 29 between Vallejo (Solano County) and Calistoga. Limited service runs from Calistoga to Santa Rosa (Sonoma County).

Airports

• Napa County Airport is a general aviation airport located just south of the City of Napa.
• Angwin-Parrett Field is a public use airport located east of Angwin and is owned by Pacific Union College.

Rail

The Napa Valley Railroad is owned by the Napa Valley Wine Train, a dining/excursion service.

Events

Napa County hosts numerous cultural events throughout the year. The county fair takes place annually in early July at the Napa County Fairgrounds in Calistoga. The Napa Town and Country Fair takes place in mid-July at the Napa Valley Expo in Napa. In order to boost tourism during the normally slow winter months, area hotels, restaurants, tourist-based businesses partnered with the County's local arts agency Arts Council Napa Valley and visitor management bureau Visit Napa Valley to develop Arts in April], a program celebrating the diverse cultural offerings featured in wine and hospitality institutions, beginning in 2011. In March every year since the late '70s, the county plays host to the Napa Valley Marathon.

In June, the annual Napa Valley Wine Auction takes place. Wineries throughout the valley donate wines and other prizes to be auctioned off to the highest bidder. This annual event raises several million dollars per year, benefiting charities throughout Napa County.

In 2006 Napa Valley became home to the Festival del Sole, an annual food, wine, art, and music festival held at various venues throughout the valley. Additional music festivals, including Music in the Vineyards, Live in the Vineyard, the Robert Mondavi Summer Concert Series, all taking place annually in locations throughout the valley.

Another new cultural festival introduced to the valley in 2011 includes the Napa Valley Film Festival. The Napa Valley Film Festival refers both to the event itself and to the organization that produces it (not uncommon in the festival world). The legal name of the organization is Cinema Napa Valley, a registered 501c3 non-profit organization based in Napa, California. The organization’s mission is to support the art of independent filmmaking through a) producing an annual film festival, b) developing an increasing array of film-related events throughout the year, and c) supporting and nurturing student filmmaking programs in local schools.

A music festival, BottleRock Napa Valley, took place for the first time in May 2013 on the grounds of the Napa Valley Exposition in Napa. The five-day festival featured over 60 bands and participation by over 300 wineries.^[59] Although deemed an artistic success, the organizers of the 2013 event left many unpaid creditors. A three-day event was held the following year and featured 45 musical acts.

A year-round arts and cultural resource for the county, Napa Valley Now, is presented by Arts Council Napa Valley. It is free for the public to use and contribute to and features all major happenings throughout the Valley.

Communities

Cities

• American Canyon
• Calistoga
• Napa (county seat)
• St. Helena
• Yountville

Census-designated places

• Angwin
• Deer Park
• Moskowite Corner
• Oakville
• Rutherford
• Silverado Resort

Other unincorporated communities

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Napa County.^[60]

† county seat

Rank	City/Town/etc.	Municipal type	Population (2010 Census)
1	† Napa	City	76,915
2	American Canyon	City	19,454
3	St. Helena	City	5,814
4	Calistoga	City	5,155
5	Angwin	CDP	3,051
6	Yountville	City	2,933
7	Deer Park	CDP	1,267
8	Silverado Resort	CDP	1,095
9	Moskowite Corner	CDP	211
10	Rutherford	CDP	164
11	Oakville	CDP	71

In popular culture

• Bottle Shock (2008) is based on the true story of the famous 1976 "Judgment of Paris," an important event in the history of Napa Valley winemaking.
• The setting for the 1995 movie A Walk in the Clouds is Napa Valley in 1945.
• In the 1998 remake of The Parent Trap, the girls' father was portrayed as a Napa Valley winemaker.^[61]
  • The Napa Valley Film Commission lists other films with a setting in Napa or with film shot in Napa County.^[62]

Notable residents

• Michael Chiarello, chef
• Francis Ford Coppola, director
• Thomas Keller, chef
• Robert Mondavi, winemaker
• Gustave Niebaum, winemaker
• Robin Williams, actor ^[63]
• Margaret Keane, artist

See also

• Pacific Union College
• Eriophyllum latilobum
• Lasthenia conjugens
• List of school districts in California by county
• Napa County Airport
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Napa County, California

Notes

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Napa County, California (category)

• Napa Valley travel guide from Wikivoyage
• Official website
• Flags of Napa County
• Napa Now history
• Convention & Visitors Bureau

Adjacent places of Napa County, California
		Lake County
	Sonoma County		Yolo County
		Napa County, California
		Solano County	Solano County