Wild North American grapes are now less of a mystery after an international team of researchers led by the University of California, Davis, decoded and cataloged the genetic diversity of nine species of this valuable wine crop.
The literary sons and daughters of Napa County are as diverse as the subject matter of their works. Some of these authors were born here while others adopted Napa County as their temporary or permanent home. Regardless of their residency status, these individuals have enriched the Napa County cultural heritage.
One of the areaâs first authors was James Clyman, a frontier scout and pioneer. During the U.S. westward expansion, Clyman kept a journal to detail his experiences throughout the western territories. This chronicle became highly regarded by historians and scholars alike as a factual account of that expansion period. In later years, Clyman wrote poetry inspired by the beauty of Napa County. In 1881, Clyman died at his Napa area home at the age of 90.