Started off for Napa Valley at about 10 am in the morning on 12 Jul 08 (Sat).Sai drove us to this world famous location ,about 60 miles away . Napa Valley has hundreds of vineyards growing all types of exotic grapes .Alongside the vineyards are Wineries which convert these luscious grapes into world famous wines.We had excellent breakfast in IHOP restaurant in Novato on the way .It was Brunch - crepes (like Dosas) with oooooh so much cheese , jam and some pancakes and coffee .
After a very smooth and enjoyable drive we landed up at Napa Valley .It is a small town like any other town in California state .We went to quite a big Reception Center where there were a number of staff who gave us excellent directions as to the 18 mile (one way) route we should take and what Vineyards we should visit .They gave us guide maps and small leaflets too. And they all had plenty of smiles and were very courteous.
Needless to say we followed the route map given to us by the Reception,although Sai has come here before.On both sides of the drive were acres and acres of beautiful green grape gardens maintained very meticuolously,American style. It is indeed amazing as to how these Garden managers take care of all these large gardens protecting them from pests, nature's vagaries human resources problems etc, at the same time continuing to maintain world class standards of grape cultivation and wine production.
The grape gardens stretch as far as the eye can see. And what was interesting was that these people were making use of all the land available to them, growing grapes on downslopes of mountain ranges ,something which I have never seen before. Back home in places like Nasik, the grapes are grown on the plains at temperatures of 40 deg centigrade or so and here they have to fight against frost also as the gardens are located in a valley surrounded by mountains.
We finally reached Sterling Vineyards , one of the more spectacular wineries in Napa valley.They have a tram car ride which takes you to the Winery located on top of a hill . A very well organised Winery .A huge welcome plaque at the entrance gives you an idea of the standard of the Winery.
The Tramway transports about 200000 vistors every year uphill .The tramway ride is for 5 minutes only one way.The tour of the winery costs 20USD per head and includes small sips of 5 different types of wine. Once you reach the top,the lady employee at the very first counter pours the first sample of wine manufactured there, into a goblet ,requesting you to keep the goblet for four more samples of wine which you would be tasting during the tour.
The small trip on the Tram way was smooth and interesting .We could see the entire lush green Sterling Vineyards from the top.Each tram car accomodates a maximum of 4 people only and they are flexible in allowing a family of two or three also to get into the tram car.As they charge 20 USD per ticket they probably make more money on the Tourist visits than on wine manufacture itself !
The Winery is not very large but absolutely clean and hygienic .We could see large fermentation tanks into which the crushed grape juice is brought in from crushers outside and allowed to ferment. The entire process is explained through a DVD played on a closed circuit TV .The tanks are kept at optimum temperatures which helps in the process of fermentation . By merely varying the temperatures they are are able to bring out 15 different types of wine .
The processed wine is then stored in huge barrels where they are allowed to mature . The longer the wine stays in the barrels the tastier they become . Such mature wines are in great demand.The barrels are made as per a 200 year traditional process from special French wood . The process ,which is laborious and quite primitive as per current technologicl standards has not changed much over the years ! We were offered one more sample of wine after we had gone through the rooms having the fermentation tanks and the wooden storage barrels.
The last three samples were served to us in royal style,by what looked like senior marketing people , in an open verandah ,under camp umbrellas on proper camp chairs.They were very enthusiastic and went out of the way to explain to us ,the three different types and tastes of wines which they served to us one by one.After we had tasted all the 5 samples we were guided through a route which ensured that we passed through a Wine shop where their choicest wines were up for sale . What excellent marketing indeed .
The tour over, we came back by the same tram car to the bottom of the hill.The video will give you a fair idea about the tram car ride.On our return we halted at two more vineyards but we were late and they had closed their tours for their vineyards/wineries.The two vineyards were "Beringer Vineyards" and "Rubicon estate".From Napa valley we drove straight to Petaluma where we had lasagnia and salad at Betty's place . She is ok now after having returned home from the hospital .
