Lupine River

On the way home from my wildflower hike on Saturday we stopped off at James Creek Road and saw some magnificant displays of spring color.

WYSTERIA

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I never realized until this year how much wysteria is growing around the valley. I took this photo last Sunday at Turnbull Wine Cellars in Oakville which is 12 miles North of Napa. Turnbull is small and unassuming when seen from the road, but the grounds are quite beautiful in the spring.

The CIA

When I first moved to Napa, I met people who said they worked at the CIA. I thought how strange that they live in Napa and not Washington DC. I now know when locals say CIA they mean Culirnary Institute of America. CIA's Napa Valley Campus has occupied the former Christian Brothers Winery — Greystone Cellars “the largest stone winery in the world.” Greystone is on Highway 29, just north of the town of St. Helena.
Greystone's exterior walls are 22-inch thick tufa stone. Built in 1888 it has survived two major earthquakes. Greystone was used by the Christian Brothers to make sparkling wines from 1950 to 1989.

Clouds over Artesa

We have not had that many cloudy days so far this year and when we do I never seem to be in the right place at the right time. Here is another shot from Artesa Winery.
The water in the background is Tomales Bay.

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Mondavi winery

Here is a picture of the Beniamino Bufano statue of St Francis at the entrance to Robert Mondavi winery, probably the most well known winery in the Napa Valley .Opened in 1967, it was only the third winery built in the valley after Prohibition and was the catalyst that changed the wine industry in the Napa Valley.

Opus One

Here is a photo I took last weekend. I am standing at the front door of the Opus One Winery in Oakville looking west. Opus One was founded in the 80's by Baroness Philippine Rothchild and Robert Mondavi. The architecture is very distinct, a round marble building on a rise of lawn just to the east of Hwy 29, it stands out from the valley floor.

MUSHROOM FARM

My sister liked this one, so this post is for her. This is a shot of the cement mushroom farm at Domain Chandon vintners of sparkling wine in Yountville.

Castle in the Clouds

This is the Castle in the Sky Bed and Breakfast in Yountville. It is way up a hill overlooking the Napa Valley. I have always wanted to drive up the road leading to the B&B, but it is on a priavet road with a security gate.

Spring has Sprung

It has been incredibly warm here for weeks. All weekend it was in the mid 70's. All the plants think that it is April. In places the mustard is in full bloom.

Accidental Find

When I was out on my drive yesterday taking the photo posted yesterday, I noticed a large church in the hills across the street. I drove over and found that it was a monastery. It is called the Carmelite House of Prayer and it open to the public. The grounds were beautiful and there was not a soul in sight. It was late in the day and I was having problems getting the exposure right, but you can see how tranquil it was. I will be visiting here for shots often.

Redwoods in the Valley

It was a beautiful spring like day today, sunny with temps in the mid 60's. Went for a afternoon drive and took a photo of the Redwoods and brilliant green fields.

Golden Grapevines

Words cannot describe how beautiful the Napa Valley has been this fall. And fall shows no sign of ending. Last year was my 1st fall in the valley and the autumn colors did not las long as it got cold and rained early. I sure need a wide angle lens. Would have shown the landscape better. Took this photo at the entrance to Elhers Estate Winery, just off of Hwy 29 N of St. Helena.

SEEING RED

Caught these beauties on Sunday afternoon just east of Highway 29 at Deer Park Rd. I am enjoying this extended Autumn, or should I say Summer since it was 84 degrees today.