HISTORY
The Historic Vineyard Registry (“Registry) project, originally created by Napa grapegrower Andy Beckstoffer, is a landmark project designed to give the greater Napa Valley new recognition as an established, world-class grapegrowing region with documented historic roots. In 2004, Beckstoffer transferred ownership of the project to the Napa Valley Grapegrowers and asked the Board of Directors to continue this important effort on behalf of all Napa Valley growers. However, at that time the NVG was in the process of becoming an independent organization from the Napa County Farm Bureau, and the Registry was put on hold until the appropriate resources were available. In 2008, the Board of Directors reviewed the project and with the help of NVG members, Rue Ziegler, PhD in cultural anthropology, and Matt Lamborn of PacGeo Data, redefined the scope to ensure that the Registry would be an inclusive project benefiting all growers in Napa Valley irrespective of sub-appellation or an individual vineyard’s historic relevance.
THE NEW THREE-PHASED APPROACH
Rue Ziegler and Matt Lamborn embarked on this project in 2008, and with the guidance from the NVG Board, proposed a new three-phased approach.
- Phase I: A research and fact-finding mission to acquire and prepare a database of historic grapegrower records from 1838 to 1915. (2008-2009)
- Phase II: Includes further refinement of the historic resources compiled during Phase I; the delineation and mapping of the approximate historic growing areas in Napa County; and the development of a marketing plan. (2011 – 2013)
- Phase III: An ongoing process in which individual property owners can petition to have their vineyards certified as historic. (2013 & beyond)
Extensive historic research was completed during 2008-2009, laying the foundation for the project through the completion of Phase I. To expand the Registry and begin Phase II, the NVG will apply for various grant opportunities as well as conduct independent fundraising efforts in 2012. In Phase II, the following objectives will be achieved:
- Refine the original historic grower database developed during Phase I and review additional historic literature and records to ensure the historic grower database is fully completed
- Develop a comprehensive list of historic growers and vineyard areas from the years 1838 to 1915
- Establish the feasibility for matching and mapping historic grower records
- Match the comprehensive list of historic grower and vineyard areas to the historic Napa County maps of 1876, 1895, and 1915
- Use GIS mapping technology to integrate historic grower records and create maps illustrating historic grapegrowing regions/significance (i.e., “hot zones”)
- Develop a marketing plan designed to help further differentiate the Napa Valley on the basis of its historic significance
2012 PROJECT GOALS
We will continue to move forward to secure funding for Phase II of the project. The Napa Valley wine industry has a 170-year old tradition of grapegrowing and winemaking, and that story gives historic significance to our region as a whole. This historic message will be a critical tool in further distinguishing the Napa Valley from an increasing number of appellations and extensively-marketed grapegrowing regions. The Registry is a landmark project that will benefit growers throughout Napa County, and we look forward to completing Phase II of this important project on behalf of all Napa Valley Grapegrowers. For more information, please contact NVG Program Director, Sonya DeLuca, at (707) 944-8311 or sdeluca@napagrowers.org.