Today is a visit up to the world famous Napa Valley and some wine tasting organised by Lauran and Doug, old time friends of Chris. It is just my second visit to Napa Valley, the first done many, many decades ago with Lauran's dad Chet.

It was a commute by N line back into town and a changeover at Powell onto Bart out to the end station at Richmond for us.

A glorious Sunday and hardly anyone around just after at 8 am when we left our abode at Sunset.

Got to Richmond at 10 am.

The grapes have been harvested and the leaves were turning to their glorious reds and oranges. The autumn leaves and sunny day made for wonderful photography ... and wine tasting of course.

At Markham Vineyards there were 8 wines to wet ones lips.

Markham Vineyards was founded by Jean Laurent, an immigrant from the Bordeaux region of France, who arrived in California in 1852 as part of the population influx that resulted from the California Gold Rush. Recognizing that suitability of the Napa Valley land for winemaking, he founded his winemaking operation in 1874. Laurent and his vineyards rose to prominence during the 1880s, when wines produced in California began distribution to major population centers on the United States’ East Coast.

Jean Laurent died in 1890, after which his winery continued to operate successfully under a succession of owners until 1978.

That year, vintner Bruce Markham purchased Laurent’s winery and – combining it with vineyards in nearby Yountville, Oak Knoll and Calistoga, California – founded Markham Vineyards. Markham’s purchase drove annual production of the Laurent vineyard from 3,500 cases to roughly 20,000 cases over the following decade.

In 1988, the former Laurent Winery was sold to Japanese wine and spirits producer Mercian Corporation, who commenced a four-year, multi-million dollar renovation, expansion and vineyard replanting program on the Markham properties. These efforts more than doubled the capacity of Markham Vineyards.

Vineyards

Markham’s Napa Valley properties encompass 350 acres of vineyard that are located in several of the area’s most fertile growing regions, most notably the areas that border Mt. St. Helena around the Calistoga, Yountville and Oak Knoll communities. The brand has consistently engaged the counsel of industry experts to maximize the potential of its locations, an effort that has led to the incorporation of myriad grape varietals that thrive in the area’s diverse microclimates.

Wines

Markham Vineyards produces wines in the Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon blanc and Chardonnay families. It has historically been known for its Cabernet Sauvignon, though its Merlot, introduced in 1980, has subsequently become the brand’s flagship varietal. Thanks Mr Wikipedia.