Posts Tagged ‘harvest’

Posted on October 16, 2008 - by napavalleybath

HISTORY OF STAGECOACH VINEYARDS

Settlers in the 1800s first took advantage of the well drained soils and optimum growing conditions found on the Stagecoach property. Each harvest, the settlers would haul their crop by horse and wagon into Oakville…catching some of the highest prices. By the early 1900s the increase in deer population brought the crops to a hault…leading to the abandonement fo all viticulture on the hill by Prohibition.

Fast forward to 1995…..The Krupp family started developing Stagecoach Vineyard with the help of a few longtime friends. An excavation of a half million tons of rocks and a eureka find of water later, the Krupps were able to develop over 500 plantable acres. Stagecoach is the largest contiguous mountain planting in the Napa Valley. Stretching from the westernmost regions of Atlas Peak all the way to the east overlooking Oakville, this 1200+ acres of rocky, volcanic terroir graces the southern edge of Pritchard Hill.

Spending time on this ranch has been surreal…you can sense not only the great respect that the Krupps have for the history but also for mother nature…the vegetation, whether it be vineyard, sagegrass or olive trees are satisified…well cared for….and eager to produce the best. There is no doubt that this land has the potential to produce one of our finest Extra Virgin Olive Oils…and I’m going to do all I can to ensure that it does!

Posted on October 15, 2008 - by napavalleybath

ST. HELENA OLIVE OIL CO. ADDS STAGECOACH VINEYARDS TO ITS OLIVE OIL PORTFOLIO

I am so excited to introduce you to a new estate that we are pressing this year….Stagecoach Vineyards. I got an email from a friend a month ago who told me that Stagecoach was looking for a home for their olives. I was told they had hundreds of trees that bordered the 500+ acres of vineyards…a mix of Italian and Arbequina varietals. Of course my interest was peaked so I contacted Jan Krupp of Stagecoach Vineyards and set up a time to check it out.

As I journeyed up Soda Canyon Road, I couldn’t help but feel the ease of the stress of the valley floor…radio stations became static….cell phone went searching…. and before I knew it, I was at the gate of Stagecoach Vineyards. As I ventured through the gate, I came across a small barn that housed the office. Awed by the beauty that surrounded the barn, I made my way inside…only to be greeted by Jan Krupp and his Vineyard Manager, Jason. The greeting I received had no evidence of the stress of their own harvest…and they were eager to show me their olive trees…amidst it all. We hopped in their SUV and drove the ranch….my mouth dropped. It reminded my of the Napa Valley where I grew up….yes, there were hundreds of acres in grapes but the surrounding wilderness was surreal…cruising through the vineyards, we came across a coyote, jack rabbits, quail, and even a bald eagle….I grew up in the Western hills of the Napa Valley where wild life was abundant…with all of the development, you don’t see much anymore….so, to see it again…in abundancy…was refreshing…and peaceful…a true oasis.

Ah…the olive trees…they were beautiful…and full of olives…still pretty green. I don’t know any other estates that have planted Arbequina in the Napa Valley so that was exciting to see. The trees were healthy…a lighter harvest then last year….to be expected as olive trees are alternate year bearing and their harvest last year was abundant.

Without hesitation, I let Jan know immediately that I would love to partner with him in the production of our Stagecoach Extra Virgin Olive Oil.