USA > California > Napa County > Historical and descriptive sketch book of Napa, Sonoma, Lake, and Mendocino : comprising sketches of their topography, productions, history, scenery, and peculiar attractions > Part 17
USA > California > Lake County > Historical and descriptive sketch book of Napa, Sonoma, Lake, and Mendocino : comprising sketches of their topography, productions, history, scenery, and peculiar attractions > Part 17
USA > California > Sonoma County > Historical and descriptive sketch book of Napa, Sonoma, Lake, and Mendocino : comprising sketches of their topography, productions, history, scenery, and peculiar attractions > Part 17
USA > California > Mendocino County > Historical and descriptive sketch book of Napa, Sonoma, Lake, and Mendocino : comprising sketches of their topography, productions, history, scenery, and peculiar attractions > Part 17
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Mr. Eli Lewelling, adjoining Mr. Crabb on the East, has an ex- tensive vineyard and orchard, but does not manufacture wine. His farm consists of 120 acres, on which is a fine nursery, an almond orchard, and 40,000 vines. He is also experimenting in the culti- vation of oranges.
J. C. Davis, near Oakville, has one among the handsome pieces of property in the county, and one that is admirably located for a vineyard. He already has about 28,000 vines, mostly on fine hill land.
Mr. G. Groezinger, of Yountville, only recently became posses- sed of his fine tract of land. He purchased the large farm and vineyard of H. C. Boggs in 1870, and since the purchase has made extensive and permanent improvements. The vineyard has been enlarged and one of the finest cellars in the whole State erected. At the expense of being prolix, we here annex a description of this cel- lar and that of Messrs. Burrage & Tucker, prepared by us and for- merly published in the Napa Reporter. The main cellar structure, built entirely of brick (a quantity of which was made on the spot), is 150 by So feet, and two stories high. Its wine capacity is 400,000 gallons. At the North end of the building, a wing extends back 84 feet, and is 60 feet wide, the same height of the main building, with a cellar underneath. Joining on to this wing, and running along the back of the main edifice, is the fermenting room, 105 feet in lengthi and 30 in width. A portion of this room is used for steaming and
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cleaning casks, etc. The roof of the fermenting room is nearly level, and comes up within six feet of the eaves of the main cellar. This roof is very strongly built, and is on a level with the upper story of the cellar. On this is all the grape crushing done, in the open air, skylights being fitted in directly over large fermenting vats below, into which falls the juice from the crushers. These crush- ers take a box of grapes, containing from 55 to 60 pounds, every seven seconds, and their capacity for juice is from 6,000 to 6,500 gallons per day. A platform leads from the roof to the ground, and one also from the upper floor of the cellar, and as a load of boxes of grapes is pulled up one platform by a horse below, a load of empty boxes goes down the other one. On this roof is also made all the Port, Muscatel, Sherry and Angelica. Two hydraulic presses that have a power of thirty tons each, are used in this establishment to press the pumice. The different varieties of wine made at this cel- lar are as follows : Port, Muscat, Muscatel, Angelica, Sherry, White Wine, Claret and Mountain Wine. In the rear of the wine cellar, at the distance therefrom prescribed by law, is the distillery, where some of the best California brandy made in the State is dis- tilled. Here are two stills, whose united capacity is about 150 gal- lons per day. A steam engine is here employed, whichi performs almost all the work done on the premises. Everything here, as in every portion of this vast establishment, bespeaks the tidiness of the Superintendent, Mr. F. Schweitzer, who has combined, all over the premises, the three best elements of successful wine making : order, neatness and convenience. Everything that will take a polish shines, even the floors are swept clean enough to delight the heart of a tidy housewife, and all the casks are numbered. The rubber hose and all the various implements in constant use in an edifice of this kind, are to be found in their appropriate place, and can be made availa- ble even in the dark.
The cellar is located in an eminently favored location. In the rear the vineyard rises gradually and forms a background almost as picturesque in January as it does later in the season, when the grape vines are covered with green leaves. About 150,000 vines are growing here, though not all in full bearing, and only 25,000 of these are native or Mission grape. As the estate is large, more
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vines will be set out every year till the whole place shall become one vineyard, before which time, however, its proprietor will have pur- chased what adjacent land his neighbors will let him have, so that there is no telling to what extent this vineyard may reach. The water used on the premises is furnished from springs on the proper- ty, of sufficient altitude and force to throw water all over the build- ing. Four reservoirs have been constructed at the springs above mentioned, and now Mr. Groezinger proposes to tap another spring on the property of A. G. Clark, and bring that down also. A switch from the Railroad Company's track is laid within a few feet of the wine cellar door, and cars can either be loaded with full casks. 01 the empty ones loaded on and then pumped full of wine.
The Vine Cliff Vineyard, Messrs. Burrage & Tucker, proprietors, is situated about three miles northeast of Yountville. One of the most romantic spots in Napa Valley is this same Vine Cliff Vineyard. A semi-circle of inaccessible rocky side-hills, in the cañon in which nestle the buildings, has, by the energy of man, been turned into a useful and picturesque piece of property. Hundreds of tons of rock have been patiently gathered off the hill-sides, which now team with grape vines, and hauled away. Truly does it look to one who saw it a few years ago as though the finger of enchantment had been pointed at its frowning, rocky surface, and changed it into a " thing of beauty and a joy forever." This vineyard, which now contains 65,000 vines, only 10,000 of which are native or Mission, was com- menced seven years ago. A bull tongue and cultivator have done nearly all the plowing for this flourishing vineyard, which, in the last two years, has turned off 19,000 gallons of wine. The wine cellar is four stories high, the lower story of masonry, the stories above of lumber. The cellar is so built into the precipitous hillside that every floor is approachable by wagons, save the upper, where a truck is used to haul the boxes of grapes into the building along a platform just the right height on to which to unload a wagon easily. The grapes are thus crushed in the upper story, without any hoisting process. Through this floor the juice falls into the fermenting vats on the floor beneath, where it can be either lowered in casks, or by hose, to the floors below, or loaded into wagons at the door. In the second story a furnace stands, used to keep the wine at an even tem-
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perature or to generate steam with which to cleanse the casks. From every floor of this cellar a beautiful view greets the eye, no matter which way one may happen to look. The live oaks around the dwelling house, the clusters of toyone with its ruby berries, and the ornamental trees, planted by the proprietors, all tend to enhance the beauty of this place. In a grove of live oaks, is the spring house, just high enough to force water into every room in the dwelling house, and allow a fountain to throw its fanciful spray before the door. Orange and lemon trees can hardly help flourishing in this favored locality, and as it is the intention of the proprietors to plant some of these trees this season, we may hope, one of these days, to eat oranges and lemons in Napa, grown on our own hills.
Extending all along the foot-hills of the valley are smaller vine- vards of from two and three to fifteen and twenty acres of vine :. Among these we mention only a few : Mr. Charles Hopper, near Yountville, has about twenty acres in vines. Mr. Hopper's place is very romantically situated on the West side of the valley, in a grove of live oaks and madronas that border a living stream. This is a portion of the section purchased in 1849 of Mr. G. C. Yount at $1. 50 per acre, now worth near $125 per acre. Blackberries and other kinds of fruit grow well here. Adjoining Mr. Hopper's place is a tract formerly sold by him, now owned by Mr. Wm. Locker, of Oakville ; also near by that of Mr. Greenup Whitton .. Further up the valley we come to the home of Mr. Win. Baldridge, another one of the old Pioneers, who has established himself for the remainder of his existence in a very cozy nook in the hills that border immedi- ately on Napa Valley. Almost every variety of grape vine and fruit tree have been grafted, planted and raised here by its even now in- defatigable proprietor. An everlasting stream of water flows to his house from a mountain spring, and every comfort that nature can lavish or industry furnish in the shape of fruit, can here be found. Near the house still stands the old log cabin erected here when first taken possession of by this gentleman, in whose memory lies en- throned the history of many a stirring scene in the annals of Cali- fornia.
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Just below Oakville is the large farm of Mr. John Benson. consists of 400 acres, about 84 of which are set in vines, most white
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Muscat of Alexandria. This vineyard was only planted in 1872, and when the blocks are filled will contain over 60,000 vines. Also, the same year he started a nursery in which were set 60,000 grape cuttings-same variety as the vineyard.
In this same section, about a mile south of Oakville, lies a tract of land, now owned by Mr. G. L. Kenny, of the firm of A. L. Ban- croft & Co .; also one by A. L. Bancroft. These gentlemen have superior land, and are having the same highly improved.
Mr. Stoneberger, whose property is nearly opposite Oakville, has. only a small vineyard, about ten acres of the Black Malvoisie. He has become better known as a successful grain grower, and more lately of fruit. He has an orchard of 1, 200 almond trees, and various other kinds of trees.
Near Rutherford Station, a little place nearly midway between Oakville and St. Helena. are the vineyards and property of Judge S. C. Hastings. His family residence is on the Home Farm southwest of Rutherford; here he has twenty-eight acres of vines. Near Ruth- erford he has two other vineyards, one of thirty-three acres, the other of forty-three. The greater portion of his vines are foreign varieties.
Adjoining the Home Farm, above mentioned, we come to a spot on the edge of our beautiful valley, on which nature has lavished her happiest charm. With a back ground of hills, sufficiently romantic to make an Italian envious, through which bubbles a clear and limpid trout stream, whose silvery sheen can at times be caught sight of from the county road, is the vineyard of W. C. Watson. Here are 50 acres in vines, mostly Black Malvoisie. An extensive orchard has likewise been planted here, and such is the immense advantage of the water privilege that everything that heart could wish, or eye desire, can be raised here. An artificial pond has been formed, fed from the mountain stream, in which trout could be easily raised. This water is of sufficient depth to admit of a spring-board, from which the swimmer can take a dive, and large enough to take a pretty fair swim. The house is situated in a grove of large trees, mostly planted there years ago, which shade without hiding it.
H. N. Amesbury, C. H. Clark, S. L. Marshall, T. A. Mann, the Kneif Brothers, and several others out towards Brown's Valley, have small vineyards. many of which are foreign varieties and doing well.
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Mr. J. J. Sigrist, whose farm is but a few miles from Napa, is botlı a grape-grower and a wine-maker, and both on a large scale. His first cellar, together with all the contents, were destroyed by fire a few years since. His present one is of a capacity of 100, 000 gallons. He has about one hundred acres in vines, the oldest of which were planted in 1860. He makes his wine from each variety of grape singly. His crushing machine has a capacity of 2, 500 gallons per day, and during the vintage is kept constantly going.
Mr. F. A. Rœder, adjoining Mr. Sigrist, has a vineyard of forty acres, all foreign vines, mostly Black Malvoisie. and all in good bearing.
Further out in Brown's Valley is the fine property lately owned by Dr. Lockwood. In this vineyard are 50,000 vines, only one-third of which are Mission, and all bearing. There is a cellar of the capacity of 15,000 gallons. This property consists of 100 acres, and is located on both sides of Napa Creek.
William Woodward. whose farm lies near four miles northeast of Napa City, has one among the best vineyards in the county. It is situated along the foothills of the mountains, and is excellent vineyard land. He has a large area in bearing vines on the place and a cellar withi all the appurtenances common thereto; also a distillery. The brandy made here is of fine quality, and the sherry wine, which seems to be a specialty, ursurpassed. Mr. Woodward's whole farm bespeaks or- der and business thrift in every part. He has all the convenience of water power that could be desired-a living stream coming down from the hills. In addition to the large business carried on in the wine and brandy manufacture, he has a dairy and a large farm. He has done much for the developing of the natural productions of that part of the valley.
In and about Soscol the land seems not so well adapted to the growing of the grape. Grains and fruit trees do well, and the vine grows finely, but the quality of the grape, and especially the bouquet of the wines, is inferior to that grown upon the hill lands higher up the valley. But the grapes grown in this section are good, and al- ways bear a high price in the market. This section of the county seems better adapted, if possible, to fruits than any other part of Napa county. The extensive orchards of the Messrs. Thompson,
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Mr. R. E. F. Moore, and various other persons, amply testify to this.
East of Yountville, on the foothills, the quality of the soil and its adaptability to grapes is fully established. Mr. Terrel Grigsby has a large vineyard in good bearing condition, and his grapes are equal to the best. He is not a wine-maker. Along up the eastern side of the valley are quite a number of vineyards, lately set out. Among these, one of the largest and one set with the finest grapes. is that of Mr. Geo. Linn. This gentleman, in addition to his vine- yard situated northwest of the property of Mr. Burrage, elsewhere noted, has one of the finest tracts of rich, alluvial bottom land any- where to be found. This tract is situated just east of the town of Yountville, and is the family homestead.
About five miles northwest of St. Helena, on the eastern slope of the mountains west of the valley, is a small vineyard of choice varie- ties of foreign grapes, belonging to Mr. Jacob Schram. He also has a small cellar, and makes his own grapes into wine, which, from its excellence, ranks among the best in the whole State.
Above the lands of Mr. Krug is the large vineyard and cellar now owned by Mr. Weinberger, and above his the extensive vineyard of Mr. Sayward. One notable feature about Mr. Sayward's vineyard is that it is set on a rocky hillside that was useless for any other than vineyard purposes.
Mr. David Fulton, deceased, owned a large vineyard near St. Helena, only a portion of which are foreign vines. On the premises was erected a large cellar and distillery. But little has been done in the way of wine or brandy-making for a year or more, owing to the closing up of the estate after Mr. Fulton's death.
Near the base of the mountains west of St. Helena, is the magnifi- cent farm and vineyard of Mr. John York. Mr. York commenced the planting of his vineyard soon after Messrs. Crane, Rule and Krug commenced the enterprise. It is on gravelly land; the vines grow well and the grapes are much liked by wine-makers. The same remarks will apply to the vineyard formerly owned by Mr. David Hudson. Besides the vineyards mentioned near St. Helena, there are a great number of smaller ones. In fact, there is scarcely a sin- gle place but has a number of vines planted, some only a few hun-
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dred vines, and some five, ten, fifteen and twenty acres. The ag- gregate of these small vineyards is very great.
Of the many large vineyards near Calistoga, we will only mention one, that planted by Judge Evy, and now owned by Dr. R. Garnett. This vineyard is situated about three miles north of Calistoga, near the mouth of the canon through which runs one of the head branches of Napa River. The first portions of the vineyard were of Mission grapes, . but those set out later are foreign varieties. Judge Evy, while he had the place, erected a small cellar and made a limited amount of wine; but the present proprietor has not engaged in wine- making. The vineyard is on gravelly but rich soil. In addition to the extensive vineyard there is also a large orchard of choice varieties of fruit. The Doctor likewise has one of the finest stock ranches in the county.
The lands in the upper parts of Carneros and Huichica Creeks are well adapted to grape growing. Mr. Wm. H. Winter, in addi- tion to his fine orchard, has an extensive vineyard, and has found that the grapes grow and mature as well as elsewhere. His vineyard consists mainly of Mission grapes. He has a cellar and a distillery connected with his vineyard.
Besides the cellars noted in the foregoing pages, there are several smaller ones which are omitted. In Napa City there are two wine houses that simply manufacture wine. One is the cellar of Mr. G. Migliavacca, the other of Messrs. Van Bever & Thompson. Mr. Migliavacca is a native of Italy, came to California in 1858, and commenced the wine business in 1866. At first he had only a small house on Main street. In the back part of the house he began the manufacture of wine on a small scale. The quality of his wine was good, and met with ready sale. He kept gradually increasing the capacity of his house, till finally he got his present building. In addition to the storeroom in this house on Main street, he has a portion of the large brick house commonly known as Crowey's store. east of the bridge on First street, and used it for the purposes of a cellar. Mr. Migliavacca, by his industry and his skill, has built up a fine business for himself in Napa. Messrs. Van Bever & Thomp- son commenced the manufacture of wine on a large scale in 1871. After moving their store from its previous position on First street.
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near the bridge, to their present commodious place, they used the old storeroom as a cellar. Here they made a large quantity of wine ; but in 1872 they obtained the old Banner Warehouse on Main street opposite the Depot. This was fitted up for a cellar, and is now occupied by these parties as a wine house. The wine from this house, "Uncle Sam Vineyard Cellar, " as the proprietors call it, bears a good price in the market, and is said by experts to compare favor- ably with the best.
Notwithstanding the great numbers of vineyards now growing in the county, the work of planting out more is continually going on. Those who have vineyards and vacant land, keep year by year in- creasing the number of their vines, entertaining no fears of the busi- ness being overdone. In 1872 the Assessor returned 2,324, 545 bearing vines in the county. This number will be very materially increased the present year by large numbers of vines previously planted coming into bearing. New cellars are being projected and the business of viniculture in Napa is indeed assuming wondrous proportions.
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THE FUTURE FOR NAPA.
POINT ARENA LIGHT HOUSE.
CHAPTER XIV.
THE FUTURE FOR NAPA.
Of course in speaking on what will be the future condition of a country we can not speak certainly. We can only form estimates from the past and the present. But, judging from these we think we can speak with considerable probability of correctness that the future for Napa is destined to be glorious. Our proximity to the great centers of trade and commerce give us assurances that we shall continue to grow and improve, that the resources of our soil shall be more fully developed and new industries started, till for material wealth and enterprise we shall be second to but few other countries The pleasant climate in Napa Valley, and the facilities for travel.
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NAPA COUNTY AS IT WAS AND IS.
have already attracted many from the city, and we find the valley gradually being divided up into small tracts for homesteads, and ele- gant improvements being made. The wealth and culture of the city is in great numbers looking to this valley for a country seat, for a pleasant home where the substantial comforts of rural life may be enjoyed. and still the facilities of a rapid transit place them at the doors of the metropolis. The peculiar adaptation of the soil and climate of Napa render it easy in a brief time to improve a home so that shade and ornamental trees. flowers and shrubbery can be had in abundance, and add their charm to the surroundings.
Already there are numbers of elegant villas and suburban resi- dences in the county. and the number is being increased yearly. As an evidence of what kind of palatial residences and pleasure grounds may be expected in the future. we will notice one of the many now existing, the Oak Knoll Farm.
The Oak Knoll Farm, of which Mr. R. B. Woodward is the present proprietor. originally formed a part of the grant known as the Rancho de Napa. It came into the possession of Otto H. Frank, and was in 1858 transferred by him to J. W. Osborn. afterwards as- sassinated by a desperado named Brittan. In 1862 it was sold to the present proprietor for the sum of $61, 976.85. The main farm, as given to the Assessor in 1872, consists of 1583 acres. This is rich valley land. and is under the highest state of culture. One of the largest orchards in the State is here set out. and the pleasure grounds about the buildings are richly supplied with the choicest evergreens, flowers and shrubbery. In 1872 the present palatial residence was erected. Mr. Woodward, as the proprietor of Wood- ward's Gardens, in San Francisco, is too well known to need any notice here. He is justly esteemed one among Napa's best citizens. He has since living in Napa, identified his interests with those of the county, and has done much to advance the general prosperity.
The population of Napa county is now estimated by the most ac- curate calculators who are acquainted in the county at between 11,000 and 12,000 inhabitants. This is a meagre number com- pared to what it is capable of supporting. There are now hundreds of acres only partially cultivated that might, and ere long will be utilized to support a greatly increased population. When the re-
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sources of the soil are more fully developed by not making the cere- als such a specialty, but by planting more fields in mulberries ; by carrying on the culture of flax, ramie, jute, or other textiles ; by paying more attention to the supplying of the market, as we are ca- pable of doing, with choice dried and canned fruits and raisins ; by devoting more acres to the culture of hops ; by increasing the extent and quality of our vineyards ; and by starting and maintaining the varied branches of industry for which nature has specially endowed us, we may know that we will be on the highway to a successful career.
The prices for land vary greatly, according to the quality, the near- ness to the railroad, and other circumstances. The rich bottom lands, lying along near the line of the railroad, or near the towns, commands a high price, ranging from $50 to $150 per acre without improvements. Vineyards are valued according to the age of the vine and the kind, and to their location. whether on high or low land, for from $300 to $Soo per acre. But, the lands lying along the foot-hills, finely adapted to the grape or to sericulture, are much cheaper. In Gordon, Berryessa, Pope, Chiles, Conn, and many parts of. Napa, such lands rate at from $5 to $25 per acre, according to quality and position. The tule lands rate low on account of the outlay necessary to their reclamation. The cost of reclamation is not very heavy, and then they become the most valuable.
THE LABOR PROBLEM.
One of the most important questions presented to the agricultu- rist is that of labor. The farmers frequently find it impossible to get laborers to perform their work. A great portion of the labor employed during the vintage in picking and shipping grapes is Chi- nese. People are not favorably disposed to these Asiatics. but often find themselves reduced to the necessities of accepting these or none. There is no State in the Union where the laborer has so easy a time as in California, but this very fact has an injurious effect upon the laborer. It is harder here to find good and trustworthy laborers than elsewhere. Few think farther than the best means of shirking responsible labor, of getting the largest sum and making the least return therefor. Many, after the week's work is over, stroll away to
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dens of vice and crime, to come away, by no means benefitted.
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