The annual Auction Napa Valley fundrasier held at Meadowood ( photo courtesy of Meadowood , Napa Valley )
THE REALITIES
• The Word on Fruit : Grape prices in the large production zones in the Central Valley of California are about $ 500 per ton ; in the Napa Valley , the same amount of fruit can be ten times that price .
• The Word on Land : Napa vineyard property sells for approximately $ 500,000 US per acre .
THE CHARACTERS
• The Galaxy : More than 300 wineries produce wine in the Napa Valley .
• The Stars : Napa wineries produce many sought-after wines . Banville & Jones carries a selection of the best , including premium wines from Quintessa , Caymus Vineyards , Joseph Phelps Vineyards , Rubicon Estate , Harlan Estate , and Krupp Brothers ( see the Shopping List on page 61 for specific products and prices ).
• Starry Winnipeg Connection : Claus Janzen , who left Winnipeg about 15 years ago for the warmer climes of the Napa Valley , has become one of the Napa stars . He helped build Caymus vineyards to fame , and has since gone on to create his own line of wines under the Janzen label , including Bacio Divino , Pazzo , Vagabond , and To-Kalon . �