Page 702 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - USA

700  C ALIFORNIA

The Wine Country ranch, called the House of
Happy Walls. Today, the house
Born in the Sonoma Valley in 1823, when Franciscan priests has been made into a museum,
planted grapes to make sacramental wines, California’s wine worth a visit for its display of
industry was taken to new heights by the flamboyant London memorabilia.
Hungarian Count Agoston Haraszthy in 1857. Known as the P Mission San Francisco Solano
“Father of California Wine,” he planted European grapes in de Sonoma
the state’s first big vineyard at the revered Buena Vista Winery. E Spain St. Tel (707) 938-9560.
Today, in addition to its superb wines and vineyards, the Open daily. Closed Jan 1, Thanksg.,
Dec 25. &
Wine Country is known for its mild climate, rocky landscapes,
secluded beaches, redwood groves, and impressive architecture. Y Jack London Historic
State Park
London Ranch Rd, Glen Ellen. Tel (707)
938-5216. Open 9am–5:30pm daily
(Dec–Feb: Thu–Mon only).
Closed Jan 1, Thanksgiving, Dec 25.
& 7 museum only. 8
d Napa Valley
* 115,000. ~ n 1310 Town Center
Mall, Napa, (707) 226-7459. _ Napa
Valley Mustard Festival (Feb–Apr).
∑ napavalley.com
Lying at the heart of California’s
wine industry, the 35-mile
Vineyards in the Sonoma Valley, famous for wineries (56-km) sliver of land known as
Napa Valley encompasses the
s Sonoma Valley Spanish-style plaza. Many of towns of Yountville, Oakville,
the adobe buildings house St. Helena, Rutherford, and
* 8,600. ~ @ 90 Broadway & W
Napa Sts, Sonoma Plaza. n 453 1st St wine shops, boutiques, and Calistoga. More than 250
E, (866) 996-1090. _ Valley of the restaurants serving excellent wineries are scattered across
Moon Vintage Festival (late Sep). local cuisine. East of the plaza its hillsides and valleys, some
∑ sonomavalley.com is the restored Mission San dating from the early 19th
Francisco Solano de Sonoma, century. Prominent among
Nestling in the crescent-shaped the last of California’s 21 historic these is the Mumm Napa Valley
Sonoma Valley are 6,000 acres Franciscan missions (founded winery, partly owned by French
(2,400 ha) of beautiful vineyards. by Father José Altimira of Spain champagne producer G.H.
At the foot of the valley lies the in 1823). Today, all that survives Mumm, where wines are made
tiny town of Sonoma. This town of the original building is the in the classic tradition. To its
has had a colorful past, as it corridor of his quarters. The north, the Rutherford Hill
was here, on June 14, 1846, adobe chapel was built by Winery features caves dug
that about 30 American farmers General Vallejo in 1840. into the hillsides, for aging
captured Mexican General A short drive northward leads wines. Farther north, the
Mariano Vallejo and his men, to to the Jack London State modern Clos Pegase winery
protest the fact that land own- Historic Park. In the early 1900s, is famed for its distinctive art
ership was reserved for Mexican London, the famous author collection and superior wines.
citizens. They seized control of of The Call of the Wild and For a bird’s-eye view of
Sonoma, declared California an The Sea Wolf, abandoned the valley, visitors can take
independent rep ublic, and his hectic lifestyle to live hot-air balloon trips
flew their own flag, with a in this tranquil 800-acre over the Wine Country
crude drawing of a grizzly (325-ha) expanse of oaks, from Yountville or a
bear. Although the republic madrones, and redwoods. 3-hour luxury tour in the
was annulled 25 days later, The park retains eerie Napa Valley Wine Train,
when the United States ruins of London’s dream enjoying gourmet cuisine.
annexed California, the Bear home, the Wolf House, But the best way to
Flag design was adopted as mysteriously destroyed explore the valley is along
the official state flag in 1911. by fire just before Statue at a scenic 40-mile (64-km)
Sonoma’s main attractions completion. After Clos Pegase drive, stopping along the
are its world-famous wineries London’s death, his widow, way at the B&B inns in
and meticulously preserved Charmian Kittredge, built a the towns of St. Helena and
historical sites lining the magnificent home on the Calistoga. The latter is popular
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp710–12 and pp713–15

700-701_EW_USA.indd 700 11/2/16 2:50 PM
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.7)
Date 1st October 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm