It's spring… time to toast the agricultural legacy of Napa Valley…

Each year with the arrival of spring we turn our attention to the promise of renewal; in our gardens and our vineyards. Sure it's Earth Day, and the return of blossom-scented breezes that herald the season, but in our valley we also look back to April of 1968 when America's first ag preserve, the Napa Valley Agricultural Preserve, was established—the cornerstone of what has preserved our rural culture, natural scenic beauty and finds Napa County the last in the Bay Area to count agriculture as its primary industry.

The Crown Jewel of American Agriculture

Here at Napa Valley Vintners, maintaining the integrity of the Ag Preserve has been and continues to be a major component of our association's strategic plan as we champion the sustainability of our local wine industry, often called the "crown jewel" of American agriculture.

We work diligently to find solutions with stakeholders on a variety of issues year round that have potential impact on the Ag Preserve. Today our valley faces a new threat to the Ag Preserve unlike any other in its 44-year history: the potential restoration of the disbanded Mishewal Wappo Indian tribe of Alexander Valley that is seeking to establish sovereign nation status for land in Napa Valley and the rights that brings with it, including not having to conform to ag zoning and the development of casino gaming in Napa Valley.

We look forward to bringing all of the Napa County community to the table to stop this threat to agriculture, rural life, water resources, traffic and air quality and more.

Read the Napa County Coalition position statement

Read Napa Valley's FAQ

Read the Santa Rosa Press Democrat's story

Read Senator Feinstein's letter to Interior

"I've been at this for 30 years and this is the best, most well-thoughtout program I've ever seen."

—Environmentalist and Patagonia® founder Yvon Chouinard discussing
Napa Green

Click here to learn more

Community Poll

What percentage of land in Napa County is planted to grapes??

 9 %
 29 %
 62 %

Napa Neighbor: Go Forth and Taste!

Guests in town? Looking to get out of the house and learn something new about the world-renowned wines of Napa Valley? Travelers to Napa Valley can journey thousands of miles to visit the wineries that are in our own backyard. Why not, as the weather warms and you're looking for something fun to do, visit some of your neighboring wineries? With the NVV's Napa Neighbor program, residents of Napa County are treated to "hometown" hospitality, with complimentary tastings and tours and special discounts on wines to take home. For hundreds of ideas on ways to acquaint your senses with the bounty of the landscape which surrounds us, visit...

Napa Neighbor Offerings

Afternoons in the Vineyard

The 12th annual Afternoon in the Vineyards will take place on Saturday, May 12, 2012 from 2:00 - 4:30 pm.

The community is invited to meet growers and winery owners in the vineyards as vines begin to bud out, signaling the beginning of the growing season and the vintage to be. These informal gatherings allow neighbors to meet one another and learn about the grape growing process, innovative farming techniques, and the agricultural strategies that produce Napa Valley wines of exceptional character. Residents will also learn more about the Napa Valley's internationally recognized commitment to environmental stewardship through programs such as Napa Green Certified Land.

Walk the vineyard rows, taste the wines and see for yourself what makes Napa Valley the premier winegrowing region. The event is a causal (wear your boots) open house (no RSVPs necessary), and complimentary for all Napa County residents and their guests. Visit any or several of the locations.

Spring 2012 "Afternoons"

Earth Day Napa Valley
Saturday, April 21

Downtown Napa's Veterans Memorial Park, 11:00 am - 5:00 pm

As part of Napa's Earth Day Celebration learn more about Napa Green Certified Land and Napa Green Certified Winery programs that lead the wine industry with the most comprehensive farming and wine production sustainability programs. Today more than 47,000 acres of Napa County land are enrolled to enhance the Napa River watershed, protect wildlife, preserve top soils and more.

Napa Green is proud to support Earth Day and the California Wines: Down to Earth initiatives taking place throughout April 2012 showcasing wines grown and produced meeting the highest environmental standards.

"Where in the Napa Valley is…?"

Join the hunt on our
Facebook page

Seasonal recipes and the wines they love

For a Napa Valley selection of seasonal recipes and the wines they love, we are happy to share with you the Napa Valley Vintners' Pleasures of the Table e-recipe book. Click here (and you'll be glad you did!).

To be touched by
a few of the beneficiaries of Auction Napa Valley Giving, please view our "Fund-a-Need" video

Auction Napa Valley Pride

"Every year, the staff at Boys & Girls Clubs of Napa Valley look forward to our participation in the Auction Napa Valley festivities. Beyond the generous financial support Napa Valley Vintners provide to our organization, the volunteerism associated with this initiative fosters a genuine sense of community and camaraderie across the entire county."

—Erik Dreikson, Director of Operations,
Boys & Girls clubs of Napa Valley

"Napa Valley is uniquely fortunate in having the Auction, which literally provides millions and millions of dollars annually to social services and other important community causes. Few, if any, other communities can count on that kind of support. For our small towns, the impact of Auction is huge."

—Michael Haley, Community Member

"I take great pride in the efforts of my family to create our wines. That same pride swells to just about the bursting point when I see how these same efforts and those of our fellow vintners help create a better community in which to live through Auction Napa Valley's support of local beneficiaries. Making wine while bettering lives… wow!"

—Judd Finkelstein Owner and President, Judd's Hill
Chair, Auction Napa Valley Pride Committee

Click here to volunteer for the Auction

Links

Napa Valley Vintners
Auction Napa Valley
Napa Neighbor
Napa Green
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