The weather in Napa was beautiful and about 20°F warmer than the city.
Of course this is perfect for growing grapes...
Wine growing in Napa Valley is a relatively recent industry because it only started in the 1960's and yet now the wine from this region is sold throughout the whole world.
However despite its reputation, Napa only produces 4% of the wine produced of California which as a state produces 90% of the total output of the USA.
The USA is now the 4th largest producer of wine in the world after Italy, France and Spain.
Our visit started in the Domaine Chandon winery which is a sister company to the Moet Chandon of France.
We took a tour of the winery which of course ends with a tasting.
Some things learned on the tour of this winery:
1. A vine will be at least 5 years old before it would be considered good enough to produce grapes for wine.
2. A vine will continue to produce grapes good enough for production for at least 35 years.
3. There are approximately 500 to 600 grapes in each bottle of wine which is equivalent to about 5 clusters of grapes as they grow on the vine.
4. Each vine will only produce grapes to make about 4 to 6 bottles of wine - that therefore needs a huge number of vines.
There are now about 400 wineries in Napa Valley - but after the first opened in 1966 the growth has been steady and so has the quality.
Here are Carolyn and Kay enjoying the wine tasting after the tour.
Unfortunately because in the USA the minimum age to consume alcohol is 21 - poor Fiona could not partake in the tasting - so we both enjoyed the lovely California sunshine.
After leaving Domaine Chandon we headed further north in search of a winery who produces one of our favourite wines called Cakebread.
We met the son of the owner, Bruce Cakebread at a wine tasting in Turnberry last year and told him we were planning to visit Napa and so we made the pilgrimage....
Of course we had to try a few and inspect the bottles and the glasses and the "nose" etc etc.
And after all we were tasting wine we already liked!
As we were parking at Cakebread Cellars we noticed the Napa Wine Express passing by on the railway line opposite.
This is another way to "do" the wine region - the train stops at a winery, you taste, you buy and you get back on to the next stop. And you can try without driving...
Some of the wineries are obviously trying to out do each other with the fantastic houses that are usually at the front of the property.
But there is one that out does all the rest.
This particular owner built a Tuscan castle at his vineyard. Castello di Amoroso is a perfect replica built over 16 years using genuine stone and wood from Italy, and this is what it looks like.
We never tried his wine - but his castle was certainly impressive.
From here we head back to our hotel and relax for the evening.
Tomorrow we have a long drive to Mammoth Lakes on the other side of Yosemite.
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