Napa County agricultural area was the producer of many different crops until the mid 1900s when vineyards became the main crop of Napa Valley. Today winegrapes produce 98% of Napa’s agricultural revenue, approximately $380 million.
Napa Valley is world renowned for its wines. It has become a California tourist destination, with nearly 5 million visitors each year. The wineries, geographical beauty, resorts, spas, and restaurants are the main attractions.
Robert Mondavi, who played one of the greatest roles in branding Napa Valley, had a vision of a dimensional blend of agriculture, wine, food, art, music, architecture, tourism and a leading economy.
Although Napa Valley has been the main area of notoriety, it is only about one quarter of the land area of the county. The County of Napa is divided by mountain ranges with Napa Valley on the west side and what was Berryessa Valley on the east. Monticello Dam was built in the 1950s and the Berryessa Valley became a reservoir, now Lake Berryessa. Pope Valley, Chiles Valley, Capell Valley and others are east of Napa Valley and west of Lake Berryessa, between the Vaca Mountains and Cedar Roughs. Wooden Valley is the most southeastern of the counties valleys.
Challenges for Napa’s future are how it will evolve and compete in the global economy, while maintaining its unique assets. Napa Valley Land Stewards will continue to help guide good development and protect the rights of property owners.
edited source: wikipedia.org/Napa County/Napa Valley