Charles Krug Winery

I wanted to visit the Charles Krug Winery primarily because it was the first Winery in Napa Valley. The original building was still standing, but no longer in use except for storage purposes. The grounds were quite impressive.

Founded in 1861 by Charles Krug, the 27-year old Prussian immigrant came to America with little besides willpower and a willingness to work hard to build the cornerstone of the first winery in the Napa Valley. He became the major local winery figure of his era, greatly influencing Napa Valley's development as a world-renown wine producing region.

After his death in 1892, James Moffitt purchased the winery in 1893, holding it in proprietorship through Prohibition. By 1943 he found a pioneering spirit in Cesare and Rosa Mondavi, Italian immigrants with a passion for wine, and sold the winery to them for $75,000.

"Today, as it enters its third century, Charles Krug has turned the corner and is now making the best wines in its 140-year history."

Wine Enthusiast Magazine, May 2002