Napa Valley

In 1976 a wine merchant named Steven Spurrier decided to set up a blind tasting competition in Paris between some of the top wines of France and California. In a surprising and near earth-shattering upset two wines from California (specifically from Napa Valley) were chosen as both the top red and white wine in the tasting. This now infamous tasting, dubbed "The Judgement of Paris," took the small farming community of Napa Valley and propelled it into what is now the most prestigious wine region in the USA. While Napa Valley has a long history of wine production it was not touted as a region of world class quality until after 1976. Investment into the region quickly skyrocketed and new wineries rapidly appeared with an intense focus on creating the best wines possible. The unique volcanic soils of the valley floor combined with the cooling influence of the San Pablo Bay create the perfect conditions for world-class Cabernet Sauvignon to thrive, and within no time the valley was planted out with vines. Today Napa is by far the biggest wine region for tourism in the United States and also boasts some fantastic hotels and restaurants. Of course world-class wine continues to be made up and down the valley floor and even high up in the surrounding mountains - with no signs of slowing down any time soon.