Voices of the Napa Valley

Voices of the Napa Valley brings to life original pieces commissioned from writers inspired by many of the fascinating stories that create a tapestry of the early Napa Valley. Beneath the ground on which we walk here lie innumerable generations of Wappo and Patwin ancestors, the dreams of the Californios, and the songs of freedom of Black pioneers. Here, incense wafted through the air burned on Chinese altars by laborers and merchants who built railroads and carved mountains. Here, too, came German, Portuguese and Italian vintners, Hawaiian sailors and Norwegian sea captains.

These stories welcome you to a more inclusive history, one that acknowledges voices long silenced. And if you want to dig deeper into the rich soil of our histories here, explore the sources associated with each audio site to begin your own journey through time. As you experience the bounties of this beautiful valley, we hope you will listen a little closer to hear stories whispering in the winds, ebbing and flowing in our tidal river, echoing  through the Mayacamas and Vaca Mountains,  and speaking through our oaks as well as our vines.