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. �