The wine industry has become a major part of Napa Valley’s growth and economics.  Napa has become famous for its wineries.  There is much to learn about the wine industry especially for someone who is interested in becoming involved in the business.  The history of the wine industry is a key factor to understanding what the industry is all about.  The Wine Industry in Napa Valley has flourished since it’s beginning in 1863.  Many of the Valley's wines are considered some of the finest in the world.  Napa Valley’s agricultural value has been excellent since Wappo Indians inhabited this land.  The Napa Valley was enriched with and abundance of wild grape vines and other agricultural plants.
     It was not discovered that grapes could produce wine in the valley until the 1840’s by a man named George Calvert Yount, who finally saw that grapes could bring prosperity to the Napa Valley by transforming the grapes into wine.  John Patchett later grew the first commercial vineyard.  As the wine industry became bigger many other people began to experiment. One person even experimented with over 400 varieties of grapes (Napa Valley Vinters association).
     There were about 140 wineries in the Napa Valley by 1889, but prohibition destroyed the business in 1919.  Prohibition forced many winemakers to find other jobs.  The Thirteenth amendment states, “After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited,” (Miller and Jentz).  It was more than a decade before the Napa Valley wine industry was back on its feet in 1933.  The wine business was expanded more than ever after prohibition was over.
     An important year for the wine industry was 1943. The Napa Valley Vinters Association was created and people began sharing ideas to bring many of the finest wines and foods together.  It worked and the Valley’s wines were advanced both domestically and abroad.  The Napa Valley Vinters Association has been in existence for over five decades and has greatly contributed to Napa Valley’s wine industry (Napa Valley Vinters Association).  In 1975 the Napa Valley Grape Growers Association was created to bring an active marketing program to the Valley that continually improved over the years.
    The Wine industry has continued to flourish throughout the years.  Auctions for charity are held annually (which was started in Meadowood Resort in 1981).  Recently technology has taken its turn in the wine industry.  Many winemakers are using technology to clone grapes to make almost perfect tasting wines.  This has become a controversial issue.  Some winemakers say that as much as you use technology you must always rely on the very tradition of the wine business (Rachman).  Many winemakers are starting to find this out and are going back to some traditional ways of making wine.  Many early growers learned form trial and error (Rachman).   Napa Valley has approximately 273 wineries in operation today, and has established a prospering market for the wine industry (Wine Train Agent).
     Today many tourists come form all over to see and taste the Valley’s exquisite wines and excellent food.  Many
attractions, such as the Napa Valley wine train are a key factor in tourism.  In 1999 over two million tourist visited the Napa Valley.  Before the popular tourist attraction was called the wine train it was simply know as the Napa Valley Railroad, founded in 1864 by Samuel Brannan, and shortly after purchased by the Southern Pacific Railroad Company in 1885.  The railroad was in operation until 1985 and then sold to the Napa Valley Wine Train, Inc in 1987.  Since 1987 the Wine train has become a great tourist attraction, which has benefited Napa Valley’s revenue.
     Many wineries also offer tours and wine tasting rooms.  People can enjoy the wineries on a drive through the Valley or learn about them on the Wine train.  When people taste a wine they are encouraged to place a piece of cheese on their tongues so that their palates will not be “ruined,” this way they can taste each individual wine at its true quality.  Another attraction is the Napa Valley Wine Growers Association, which puts on events to educate the public about the wine industry.  The Napa Valley Viticulture Fair is put on every other year.  The fair educates tourist and residents in Napa Valley about the wine industry and some of its new advances.
     The wine industry goes much further than that of the Napa Valley.  It encompasses the world.  However, having some knowledge about the history of the wine industry in Napa Valley, the educational opportunities, and the career outlook helps one in understanding how one could work and live well in the beautiful Napa Valley.