Stories of the Entrepreneurial Spirit that helped create Napa Valley

Sommeliers’ Diaries

The Napa Valley
by Ronan Sayburn MS
Part 1

This week, our Head of Wine, Ronan Sayburn MS, is travelling in the Napa Valley. We are delighted to share with you his exciting trip, discoveries and tasting notes.

History of Calistoga and the Napa region

“Currently, I am staying in Calistoga, at the top of Napa Valley and at the foot of Mount St Helena.
The town was created around the thermal hot springs that occur as a result of the volcanic activity caused by two sliding tectonic plates along the San Andreas fault. (NB – In 10 million years Los Angeles will be located further north than San Francisco!).
Calistoga was founded by California’s first bona fide millionaire Sam Brennan; who made his fortune in retail selling picks, shovels and tools to those following the gold rush. He was buying pans in San Francisco for 20 cents and reselling in Napa for $15! The store was making around $150,000 per month in 1848.
A native of New York he was familiar with the thermal baths found in Saratoga Springs and wished to create a similar destination in northern Napa. He intended to declare that ‘he would make this place the Saratoga of California’ but instead uttered ‘the Calistoga of Sarafornia’ thus giving Calistoga its name.”

Preview on Ronan’s next visits

“I will be attending the Sommelier Summit held at the Peter Michael Winery on the western side of Mount St Helena in Knights Valley, Sonoma.
Firstly I will visit Château Montelena – a historic Napa property that was built in 1888, by AL Tubbs another goldrush entrepreneur who made his fortune manufacturing rope.”

Discover more about his expedition and tastings in the days to come!

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