Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Langtry Estate Vineyards, founded in 1888 by the actress Lillie Langtry.
the early 20th century it had the reputa-
tion of making the best American wine,
and it was dotted with vine plantations.
Prohibition put a stop to this, however; the
vines were ripped up and replaced with
walnut trees and pear orchards. But vine-
yards have now returned, and the Langtry
estate is one of the biggest and most his-
torical—it's so big, the 35-square-mile (56
sq. km) property has its own appellation.
With its large meadows of wildflowers,
the sprawling estate is more ranch land
than wine country. Rivers meander through
a pastoral paradise that has a rural,
untouched charm. It is definitely out of the
way and off the beaten wine-lover's path,
90 miles (145km) north of San Francisco.
Various buildings are scattered around
the property, including a grandiose planta-
tion-style mansion and a spectacular
long ivy-covered walkway, where creep-
ers entwine thick wooden posts towards
an explosion of flowers and foliage above,
shading a long line of picnic tables below.
The winery itself is a meticulously recon-
structed barn, long, dark, and low, with
enchanting views of a lake known as
the Detert Reservoir, home to heron,
egret, ducks, and geese. In the handsome
tasting room, you can try the winery's
extensive list of wines, its best being a
refreshing Sauvignon Blanc and un-oaked
Chardonnay.
The setting's peace and tranquillity
belie the estate's glamorous beginnings.
As for Lilly, she did make some of the best
claret in the country, but the social scene
must have bored her. She sold up in 1906
and moved to Monaco.
Langtry Estate Vineyards,
21000
Butts Canyon Rd., Middletown (
&
707/987-
2385;
www.langtryestate.com).
(
San Francisco International (99 miles/
159km).
L
$$$
Calistoga Ranch,
580 Lommel
Rd., Calistoga (
&
707/254-2800;
www.
calistogaranch.com). $$$
Hideaway Cot-
tages,
1412 Fair Way, Calistoga (
&
707/
942-4108
).
