|
|
Napa Valley Information:
Rutherford
Located in the middle of the Napa Valley wine region and often mentioned in association with another nearby community, Oakville, Rutherford offers some of Napa's most scenic fields and meadows. Many consider Rutherford as the best place in the world to grow cabernet grapes. Bottom land soil of Rutherford and nearby "Oakville dust" are credited with helping provide the perfect conditions for these popular grapes.
The roots of Rutherford-the historic grape growing center of the Napa Valley-actually stretch south of its central location in Napa Valley to Yountville, where George Yount settled in1838. Yount, an explorer and pioneer, was granted 11,814 acres by Mexican General Mariano G. Vallejo as repayment for a variety of services.
This land was called "Caymus Rancho," and extended north from the western foothills of Mt. St. John to what is now the intersection of Zinfandel Lane and Silverado Trail.
Yount had three granddaughters. Elizabeth married young Thomas Rutherford in 1864. As a wedding present, the newlyweds received 1,040 acres at the northern end of Yount's land grant.
While Yount is considered to be the first to plant wine grapes in Napa Valley, it was Thomas Rutherford who made a serious investment in grape production and winemaking. From 1850 to 1880, Rutherford established himself as a grower and producer of high-quality wines.
Links
|
