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By all accounts, Napa Valley’s fledgling wine industry was thriving in the 1800s during th peak of the Gold Rush. While creating new fortunes, the thrill of winemaking beckoned. It was a pioneering era, and by the turn of the century, more than 140 wineries were established and thriving — but it didn’t last. Prohibition forced all but a handful of wineries to close, and many owners simply abandoned their property. The wine industry was debilitated, leaving little more than ghost wineries and memories.
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One of the oldest wineries along West Dry Creek Road in Sonoma County is A. Rafanelli Winery. Nestled on a knoll that offers a sweeping view of the valley, the rustic winery is still family-owned and operated. And though it operates by appointment-only reservations and there’s a gate at the bottom of a hill that requires a code, it has remained true to its family traditions and heritage.
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It’s the first day of harvest at Grgich Hills Estate, and there’s a mountain of grapes ready to be crushed. But at the moment they’re on display for more than 100 guests, each with a glass of wine, ready to toast. There’s a priest standing by, along with Miljenko “Mike” Grgich, co-founder and Vintners Hall of Fame member. The crowd’s sense of anticipation permeates the air, and the drinks in hand are only part of the reason.
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Pie is the classic American dessert. And if you’re from the North Bay, chances are you’ve enjoyed your fair share of Kozlowski Farms pies over the years. Lovers of these homemade-style pies and tarts will be happy to know that while the farm store, a local institution since 1949, is now closed, the legacy of Kozlowski baked goods will continue on thanks to a new partnership with Healdsburg’s Costeaux French Bakery.
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“Grapes are promiscuous,” says Liz Thach, distinguished professor of wine and management at Sonoma State University. “They like to breed with one another to create new varietals. For example, Cabernet Sauvignon is the offspring of Cabernet Franc. In Bordeaux, as a result of vintage variation, they frequently blend Cabernet to enhance flavor and complexity. In cooler years, it’s sometimes difficult to ripen Cab, which is another reason why they blend.”
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Starting a business and developing it into a prosperous enterprise is a major accomplishment. And so, the desire to pass it on to the next generation and see it continue to grow comes naturally. It’s a legacy that has the potential to provide security for a family, but it takes more than handing over the keys to the door. Rather, careful long-term planning for succession provides the best chance for the transition to succeed and a business to endure.
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Since ancient times, humanity sought the fountain of youth. Originally the term was used in a literal sense, referencing a spring with the power to eliminate years of aging for those who took a drink or bathed in its waters. The Spanish learned such tales from the writings of Herodotus and famously searched in vain for the magical cascade in the 16th century. Though science broke the news long ago that no such fountain exists, we nonetheless yearn for similar results and seek ways to preserve our vigor and appearance—ideally living longer and more fulfilling lives. Mike Charleton, a 50-year-old Windsor resident and nationally ranked cyclist, found his modern version of the eternal spring.
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When a new agency of the federal government called Housing and Urban Development was established in the 1960s, one of its tenets was an urban renewal program, created in part to provide funding for sprucing up old downtown areas across the nation. The City of Santa Rosa decided its Courthouse Square needed some renewal, and subsequently divided the space by building a new motorway through the middle to connect Mendocino Avenue to Santa Rosa Avenue.
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Since the early 1860s, the 17-acre geyser-fed Indian Springs Resort has welcomed people from near and far to come, relax and restore themselves. Located at the top end of the Napa Valley, in the City of Calistoga, the resort is surrounded by hills, trees and spewing geysers. Today, it occupies the exact spot chosen by the founder of Calistoga, the colorful Sam Brannan, when he came to the area in the mid-1800s and fell in love with the potential of the place.
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U.S. brick-and-mortar retailers are in retreat. Pier 1 Imports is planning on closing more than 140 stores and Z Gallery is shuttering 44 locations. Sears filed for bankruptcy, joining Gymboree and Payless Shoes. Closure of retail stores across the country hit a 10-year high in 2018, according to Citylab. Don’t bring this to RH chairman and CEO Gary Friedman, “The death of retail is overrated,” he told shoppers in September 2018 in one of his famed letters. The brand formerly known as Restoration Hardware has its own language. Catalogs are Source Books. Stores are Galleries. And RH has more Collections than the Smithsonian.
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When all of us first began enjoying wine in adulthood, we heard the same old chestnut: white wine with fish, red wine with meat. It was a rule destined to be broken, if not seriously twisted like a corkscrew.
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As the tail end of the Millennial generation graduates college and enters the American workforce, one thing seems to be clear: It is long past the time to go hard on soft skills. The generation that was weaned on technology and grew up with smartphones is wired with all the hard skills one can imagine, from computer programming to accounting. But somewhere along the line, many didn’t learn about the need to show up on time, dress appropriately and make an effort to play well with others.
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The auto body repair business has history that extends back more than a century. Horseless carriages were initially reserved for the wealthy, and chauffeurs doubled as mechanics. In 1972, following a stint in the military, Gene Crozat returned to his hometown of Santa Rosa with a pack of smokes and $1.40 in his pocket. He learned car painting and auto repair skills in the Air Force, and sensing a prosperous opportunity, Gene set up an auto repair body shop with partner Leo Gassel. Though Gassel retired three years later, Gassel and Crozat Auto Body, better known as G&C Auto Body, was born.
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The firestorm was declared fully contained two weeks later on Nov. 6. In that time, nearly 78,000 acres were destroyed; 180,000 people were evacuated (including 300 inmates in the North County jail); and 374 buildings were destroyed (174 homes and 11 businesses). Once again, Sonoma County fell to its knees.
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On a bend in the Russian River with the Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley and Chalk Hill American Viticulture Areas on its periphery, Healdsburg has much to offer. It’s a magnet for those seeking a Wine Country experience, but at the same time, residents treasure its small-town charm and quality of life. Those interests produce competing visions of what the town should be, and residents are often concerned that abundant visitors will impact the small-town ambiance.
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Despite an increase in online commerce, with customers comparing prices from around the world and buying from the convenience of their home, there is still a substantial market niche for local artisanal wares. Many customers are seeking those one-of-a-kind items, especially for gifts—unique products lovingly made with care and not found in the Amazon world.
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