Archive for the ‘Only Napa Valley’ Category

Posted on February 18, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

Groom Your NVI (Napa Valley Intelligentsia)

Napa Valley conjures fields of lavender, sweeping vineyards and abundant olive trees.  But how much do you really know about Napa?

It’s time to ramp up on your Napa Valley dinner party parlance…

• Napa Valley is 30 miles long; its regions include American Canyon, Napa, Lake Berryessa, Yountville, Oakville/Rutherford, St. Helena, and Calistoga.

• In addition to its famous grapes, a wide variety of fruits and vegetables thrive in Napa including oranges, prunes, apples, olives and more.

• The Napa Valley is a name derived from the language of the area’s native Wappo Indians and has come to mean “land of plenty.”

• The Wappo Indians had no written language. They shared their ideas, stories, and feelings by speaking only. Stories and customs were passes down by parents to their children.

• 1823 marks the first written description of Napa. Word spread of the region’s abundance, and by the late 1840s, quicksilver mines and lumber mills had set up shop.

• Steamships ferried people from San Francisco, and the railroad carried tourists seeking the healing waters of Calistoga.

• Tough times did darken Napa’s sunny days:  Napa’s famous Silverado mine dried up in 1875, a grapevine disease in 1893 killed off most of the vines, and prohibition shut down most wineries altogether in 1920.

• In 1968, California’s first Agricultural Preserve was created. This zoning ordinance established agriculture and open space as the “best use” for the land within Napa County. Known as the “Ag Preserve,” it’s an agricultural model followed by many others today.

Now uncork one of Napa Valley’s hundreds of wines, start simmering the sauce, and over artisan bread dipped in the local extra virgin olive oil, enjoy a northern California-style dinner peppered with Napa Valley love and lore.

Posted on October 15, 2009 - by napavalleybath

Napa Valley Organic Lavender Essential Oil

We are proud to present the first production of our Napa Valley organic lavender essential oil.

The lavender varietal, Angustifolia, is grown in the Western hillside of the Napa Valley by the Kahn Family. The lavender was harvested in July of 2009 and distilled immediately on the property. The stems are cut high so the distillation comes mainly from the flowers. The flowers are only distilled once to ensure the highest grade of essential oil and hydrosol is achieved.

This production is very limited. Our yield this year was approximately 10 gallons in total. We have simply packaged the essential oil in 1/2oz. amber bottles. The amber colored glass is to ensure maximum protection of the botanicals.

The Napa Valley organic lavender essential oil is used in our bath salts, teas and soy candles and is blended with French and Bulgarian lavender essential oils to achieve the lavender essential oil signature blend that we use with all of our other bath and body products.

Half Oz. Amber Glass Bottle with dropper
Wholesale Price: $13.00
Suggested Retail: $26.00

Posted on October 15, 2009 - by napavalleybath

Napa Valley Organic Lavender Hydrosol

Hydrosols, also known as flower or floral waters, mists, and distillates are produced from the steam distillation of plant materials. Our Napa Valley organic hydrosol is a product of our distillation of the Napa Valley organic lavender. Most refer to hydrosols as a by-product of the distillation process. We view it as an equal partner to our Napa Valley organic lavender essential oil.

The hydrosol was distilled from the lavender varietal, Angustifolia, that is grown in the Western hillside of the Napa Valley. The lavender was harvested in July of 2009 and distilled immediately on the property. The organic lavender is distilled until the oil is gone…ensuring the highest quality of hydrosol is achieved.

This production is limited. Our yield this year was approximately 300 gallons in total.

Hydrosols have similar properties to the essential oil but are simply less concentrated. Because our organic hydrosol is truly steam distilled(not essential oil added to water), it contains all the beneficial components that the organic lavender has to offer. Our organic lavender hydrosol contains all of the essence of the lavender but in a milder form compared to the essential oil. This “weaker” solution makes them suitable for all different types of applications where the essential oil would be too strong. On average, a hydrosol contains less than 5% essential oil.

Our Napa Valley organic lavender hydrosol has an herby or grassy note which is indicative of it’s authentic and therapeutic properties. It can be used as a facial splash or mist, perfume, deodorant or air freshener. More uses in our blog, “learn to love hydrosols”.

We have simply packaged the organic hydrosol in 2 oz. and 8 oz. amber PET bottles. The amber color is to ensure maximum protection of the botanicals.

2 oz. Amber PET Bottle
Wholesale Price: $4.00
Suggested Retail: $8.00
8 oz. Amber PET Bottle
Wholesale Price:  $8.00
Suggested Retail: $16.00

Posted on October 15, 2009 - by napavalleybath

Napa Valley Organic Lavender Bundle – Hidcote Varietal

Since the middle ages, the lavender varietal, Hidcote, has been known as the herb of love.

Our Napa Valley organic lavender, Hidcote varietal, was harvested in July 2009 from the western hills of the Napa Valley. The Kahns grew a small amount of the english varietal specifically for our bundles. Hidcote’s deep violet flowers are strongly scented but truly known for retaining their vibrant color. It’s my favorite varietal to double as a decoration and perfume for any room of the house.

The organic lavender is cut and bundled on the Kahn Ranch. They are wrapped in twine and tagged in our production facility in the Napa Valley.

Our total production this harvest is approximately 1200 bundles.

One Bundle
Wholesale Price: 6.00
Suggested Retail: $12.00