| The combination of award winning wineries, local | | | | in weekly from San Francisco. Because of this, and |
| restaurants, food festivals, thriving agricultural industry, | | | | the friendly nature of the open markets, the markets |
| and internationally renowned resorts makes Napa | | | | have become a social as well as a culinary epicenter |
| County home to some of the most incredible cuisine in | | | | for the communities. At these market/eating |
| Northern California. Early on in Napa County's culinary | | | | establishments, diners can enjoy daily specials, new |
| history, settlers quickly realized that the soil and climate | | | | recipes and sample wine varietals. Not to be left out, |
| were excellent for growing grapes, vegetables, spices, | | | | there are also candy and ice cream stores that |
| and raising livestock. These realizations lead to an | | | | specialize in chocolates, jelly beans, and other |
| abundance of local agriculture, viticulture, meat, and | | | | confectioneries. Bakeries offer artisan breads, pastries, |
| dairy production. | | | | freshly baked pizzas, and sandwiches. Local coffee |
| Local vintners and civic leaders took advantage of | | | | houses buy the highest quality beans to match the |
| state legislation to preserve the agriculture lands of the | | | | fresh cuisine in the area. |
| Napa Valley and when the county officially became an | | | | The Napa county festivals are yet another great place |
| American Viticulture Area, the agricultural future of the | | | | to grab a bite to eat in Napa County, because |
| county was solidified. Today, the farms, ranches, and | | | | everything is fresh off the farm, ranch or vineyard. |
| vineyards of Napa County are almost solely | | | | While the two of the most famous festivals are the |
| responsible for the amazing local cuisine that can be | | | | mustard and tomato festivals, all of these year-round |
| enjoyed in this temperate region of Northern California. | | | | events celebrate everything that is harvested in the |
| Because Napa County discourages chain restaurants, | | | | Napa Valley. This includes fruits, vegetables, olives, |
| most of the dining establishments are owned and | | | | mustard, tomatoes, grains, honey, beef, and cheeses. |
| operated by the locals. This is exciting for culinary | | | | It's hard to define a certain type of cuisine in this part |
| enthusiasts, who can take advantage of truly native | | | | of California, because most restaurants are operated |
| cuisine. Menus are seasonal, incorporating the harvest | | | | by chefs of international acclaim who are constantly |
| of the Napa Valley and complimenting regional dishes | | | | creating new dishes. Some of the best restaurants in |
| with the wines that are native to the area. Some | | | | the world are located in Napa County, a testament to |
| restaurants are off the beaten path and others are a | | | | COPIA: The American Center for Wine, Food and the |
| little touristier, but rest assured, you will never be | | | | Arts, which is a major venue for international cuisine. |
| disapointed by a meal in the historic Napa Valley. | | | | The cuisine of Napa County is fully complimented by |
| While Napa County has over 130 local restaurants, as | | | | the award winning wines and the landscape of the |
| an alternative, quite a few residents have taken to | | | | Napa Valley to create a total culinary experience for |
| dining out at the local markets. Everything at the | | | | anyone who loves fine foods. |
| markets is fresh, including the seafood that is brought | | | | |