[7] Historical records of viticulture in the region date back to the nineteenth century,[8] but the modern premium wine production grew in the 1960s.

Viticulture in Napa suffered several setbacks in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including an outbreak of the vine disease phylloxera, national enactment of Prohibition, and the Great Depression.

[2] Early settler and pioneer vineyardist George C. Yount is generally credited as the first to plant grapevines in Napa Valley in 1838.

[9] His wine cellar, built in 1859, narrowly predates that established in 1861 in St. Helena by Charles Krug, although this is commonly cited as the Napa Valley's first winery.

These early promotions are considered to be the birth of wine-based tourism that is now a large part of the economy of Napa Valley today.

The science teacher was a fast learner and soon established Christian Brothers as one of the leading brands in the state's budding wine industry.

Brother Timothy's smiling face in advertisements and promotional materials became one of the most familiar images for wine consumers across the country.

In 1965, Napa Valley icon Robert Mondavi broke away from his family's Charles Krug estate to found his own winemaking operation in Oakville.

The news of the wine competition, termed the "Judgment of Paris", was immediately published by a Time magazine article and later portrayed in the 2008 Hollywood film, Bottle Shock.

[22] Today Napa Valley features more than 450 wineries that grow grape varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot noir, Merlot, Zinfandel, among others.

Napa Valley's climate and geography are shaped by a unique cooling effect, crucial for premium grape growing.

This dynamic results in a climate system where fog and cooler sea air are drawn inland through valleys, create ideal conditions for high-quality viticulture.

[27] The region's complexity extends to varying topography, sun exposure, and diverse soils, contributing to a wide array of microclimates or terroirs within a relatively small viticulture area.

[28] This geographical diversity, coupled with the Mediterranean climate characterized by hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters, impacts grape growing in the Napa Valley.

Rainfall distribution and the daily summer fog, which typically shrouds the valley until mid-morning, vary across the region, affecting grape variety and quality.

[28] However, the potential impacts of climate change pose new challenges: rising global temperatures and possible disruptions to the cooling effect could alter the conditions that have historically favored premium grape growing in Napa Valley.