A HISTORICAL LANDMARK
Brannan Cottage Inn was built in 1860 by Calistoga founder Samuel Brannan and was later owned by Leland Stanford.
This historic inn is still located at its original location at 109 Wappo Avenue and was one of the first buildings in Calistoga to be listed with the National Register of Historic Places.
It was one of 14 cottages featured in the grand 1862 hot springs resort
(whose 25 other buildings included a skating pavilion, hot springs bathhouse, restaurant, and dance hall); it offered visitors a welcoming and comforting place to stay.
A Private Residence
Except for about 50 years at the turn of the 20th century when it served as a private residence, it’s been welcoming guests to Calistoga ever since, and we are happy to add you to that list of those fortunate enough to experience Brannan Cottage Inn first-hand.
A Distinctive Destination
There’s more to Calistoga than its hot springs, world-class wines, and relaxed charm. The natural and cultural history of this northern Napa Valley town adds another dimension to the wine country experience.
Much of the region’s history is still alive in Calistoga, from authentic Victorian architecture to the city’s famous mineral hot springs. In fact, its historic roots are so intact that the National Trust for Historic Preservation named Calistoga a “Distinctive Destination.” It recognizes Calistoga as one of an elite group of American communities dedicated to preserving its town’s character and sense of place.
An excellent short article on Calistoga, its history, and some famous residents is available on Wikipedia.
HISTORY OF WINE IN NAPA
Wild grapes have always been growing in Napa Valley, but it was George Calvert Yount who built one of the first homesteads in the area and planted Napa Valley grapes in 1839.
The first commercial winery was built in 1861 by Charles Krug (before that, the wine was just produced by missionaries for church services), and by 1889 there were over 140 wineries in operation, notably Schramsberg in 1862, Beringer in 1876, and Inglenook in 1897.
The wine business was booming, but things came to a screeching halt at the turn of the 20th century when prices plummeted due to a surplus of grapes, among other things. Then Prohibition came along, and wineries were abandoned for over 14 years, with the exception of some making sacramental wines.
The wine here in Napa Valley came
well before the Gold Rush.
When Prohibition ended in 1933, Napa Valley’s wine industry started to recover. John Daniel, Jr., opened Inglenook, Georges de Latour re-established Beaulieu Vineyards (BV), Louis M. Martini built his winery, and the Mondavi family purchased Charles Krug Winery.
In 1944, seven vintners formed the Napa Valley Vintners trade association, which today is made up of 550 wineries.
Robert Mondavi’s master marketing skills over the past 50 years can be thanked for putting Napa Valley wine on the world stage. A pivotal moment was during a blind tasting of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay from California against the best wines of Bordeaux and Burgundy, when the judges gave top honors to Chateau Montelena Chardonnay and Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon. And the rest, as they say, is history.
SAMUEL BRANNAN
Sutter’s Fort Home of S. Brannan & Co.
“Their store was an adobe building of one story about 100 feet long by 30 wide situated about 50 yards East of the fort. There was a loft filled with hides and other relics of trade before the mines were discovered.”
William Grimshaw, S. Brannan & Co. Bookkeeper
Photo Credit Jared Jones, ELP and ESP Coordinator, Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park
