Rutherford Real Estate
(Napa County, California
In the panoply of diverse Napa Valley real estate, Rutherford's alluvial bench soils are revered by wine professionals the world over for their remarkable "terroir"--a French term denoting climate, soil, topography and other unique characteristics of a grape growing area. An approximate translation: location, location, location. This unassuming hamlet in California's Napa valley (population about 500) is viewed by many as one of the crown jewels of the golden state's many official viticultural areas (AVA's)--perfect terroir for the rich, dusty cabs, famously produced here. Read more about Rutherford.
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What is it about that Marvelous Rutherford Real Estate?
If you already know that you want to find a piece of premium Rutherford real estate (perhaps vacant land for a new vineyard) then you absolutely know why: Terroir, the magic synergy of unique geography, soil and climate that combine to produce some of the most exciting wines in the world. Here in Rutherford, gravel, loam, sand and volcanic deposits provide excellent draining soil producing fruit with concentrated and complex flavors.
One of the key concepts behind the term “Terroir” is that wines from a given region are so special that they can’t be produced anywhere else in the world. Rutherford is home to a number of famous wineries: Franciscan, Beaulieu Vineyards, Provenance, Grgich Hills, Quintessa, Frogs Leap, St. Supery, Alpha-Omega, and Whitehall, among others. While this tiny hamlet is named Rutherford, that is also the name of the official American Viticultural Area (AVA) recognized by the U.S government, and known as the Rutherford AVA. If a winery produces wine in which at least 75% of the grapes are sourced from Rutherford vineyards, the word “Rutherford” will almost certainly appear on the bottle as a mark of value.
If you are interested in scoring premium Rutherford real estate, be patient, and save your search so that you can be informed of any new listings as they come on the market.
Historical Notes on Rutherford--The Guy That Owned all the Rutherford Real Estate!
Rutherford is part of the original 11,876 acre “Rancho Caymus” land grant that was given by the Mexican government to George C. Yount (checkout Yountville listings) in the 1830's. Yount is the first permanent U.S settler in the Napa Valley. Yount gifted a 1040 acre tract of land to his granddaughter and her husband, Thomas Rutherford, as a wedding present in 1864. Rutherford began grape cultivation to produce premium wines in the late 1800’s. Would that we all might have such generous grandparents. Much of what we considere to be the finest in Napa Valley real estate falls within the Rancho Caymus, and the Rutherford grant.
Important Stops for your tour of Napa Valley Real Estate
Rutherford really is not a “town” to speak of, but here at the intersection of Highway 29 and Rutherford Road, you will find a delightful, scenic hub (even that's a stretch) with a tiny post office, a great olive oil establishment called the Saint Helena Olive Oil Company, Beaulieu Vineyards, Rubicon Estates (formerly Coppola Winery), and one of the most popular restaurants in the Napa Valley--Rutherford Grill, with its distinctive palm trees in front and comfortable outdoor seating that usually can be enjoyed year round. You’ve now have the scoop on Rutherford—what more do you need, other then a pristine piece of its agrarian beauty to call home.
Some Country Lanes Worth Walking—and a Winery Stop or Two
Take a trip to the Sullivan winery on Galleron Lane, or the Alpha Omega winery on Mee lane. Here you are at the magical core of Rutherford's scenery and bucolic charm. When you are done with your wine tasting, leave your car in the parking area and take a walk down and back along these amazing country lanes to get a total sense of the beauty and majesty of the Napa Valley. If you happen to catch a full moon rising above the eastern hills, this is the postcard that will remain in your heart forever! Live here and own a piece of that!
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© 2009 All Rights Reserved. Matthew R. Hooper
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