Every once in awhile, I write a blog about little known past facts about Yountville, were I live and work. I have been here for nearly 35 years and find it fascinating how much history this small Town has. Here again are a few tidbits for your fancy. Cheers from the Napa Valley   The California Veterans Home chose Yountville over several other sites before it opened here in 1884. Before the Veteran's Home was built, Yountville's population was only 150. When the Vintage 1870, now V Marketplace, was first built, wine grapes brought $126 per acre, compared to $9 per acre for wheat and $14 for corn. George Calvert Yount, who Yountville is named for, was the valley's first white settler, built the first flour mill here and is buried in Yountville's cemetery which is still in operation today... 01/31/2012

There was a very good story about Yountville by Jennifer Huffman in the Napa Register awhile back, Slow, quaint Yountville suits most just fine, which reminded me of the article I wrote for Relocation Bay Area Magazine about a year ago. Her story does get to why many of us who live here truly appreciate the haven Yountville really is and why us Yountvillians are accepting of the fact, there are a lot of visitors here every day of the year. Below are a few quotes from both Jennifer's story and my article, Yountville, A Personal Perspective.  It is been especially busy this last summer which I suspect is being caused by more people in the Bay Area  traveling locally. If you count the entire Bay Area and the greater Sacramento metro area, there are approximately ten million people. I was h... 01/30/2012

A true Napa Valley Gem, the Veterans Home of California at Yountville An article by Howard Yune in Sunday's Napa Register, Yountville: Where old vets go to live, reminded me of the many visits I have taken up there. Granted its only one quarter mile away and approximately 100 feet in elevation above my office, but every time I go there I feel as if I am be elevated. Some of visits have been to the Napa Valley Museum, the local Greek Festival at Greek Easter was held there for three years, the wonderful Lincoln Theater and the very thoughtful Verteran's Home Historical Museum of the facility and of many of the Members. Here are a few facts about the Home: Operated by the California Department of Veterans Affairs It was founded in 1884 Currently there are 1,011 residents as of June which... 01/28/2012

Thinking of building a new home or vacation getaway in the Napa Valley?  It’s not all vineyards, wineries, tasting rooms, restaurants and art galleries.  There are residential lots now on the market in the City of Yountville that may be perfect for building your new dream home. Here are Yountville residential lots and land for sale as of January 26, 2012.  Drop me a line for more information (john@jsrealproperty.com ) and to schedule a viewing.   Price Location Acres DOM* Notes $325,000 9 Ghirardi Pl 0.18 169/169   $325,000 11 Ghirardi Pl 0.18 169/169   $325,000 1-3 Ghirardi Pl 0.15 169/169   $350,000 2 Stags Leap Ln 0.11 189/189   $385,000 4 Stags Leap Ln 0.11 189/189   $450,000 6 Stags Leap Ln 0.17 189/189   $495,000 18 Stags Leap Ln 0.15 189/189   $540,000 8 Stags Leap Ln 0.16 189/18... 01/27/2012

Upcoming Events in Yountville and Surrounding Napa Valley Areas January 26, 2011 This is weekly feature post I will now do every Thursday to tell you about upcoming events in Yountville and around the Napa Valley. This way readers have a little more time to plan to attend one of these events. Please visit and enjoy one or more of these and tell them Curtis sent you. Thanks!!!! January 27 -- Oxbow Market Tour and Cooking ClassFood Education: Cooking with Julie. We meet at Oxbow Public Market to purchase our provisions, then a private tasting and then back to the kitchen for a hands-on cooking class. Crostini with leeks and ricotta, chicken cooked under a brick, and pear clafouti with star anise.Fee: $215 Time: 8:45am-4:30pm Phone Number: 707-227-5036 January 27 -- The Rivalry by Norman C... 01/26/2012

Here is another Napa Valley town's 2011 residential real estate sales statistics. This time I have chosen Yountville, arguable the heart of the Napa Valley. Yountville besides being such a gastronomic hot spot has been a place well know and a favorite for both residents and those who purchased second homes here. In my estimation, approximately half who reside here are full time residents, a quarter are second homes and a quarter are rentals. Also included here is my ongoing tally of the residential sales numbers, number for sale as of January 1st, average & median prices and days on market (DOM) for the past six years.             01/24/2012

Yountville is central Napa Valley’s hot spot for first-class restaurants, luxurious spas, and easy access to some of the finest wineries and tasting rooms in world.  With Yountville hotel rooms priced over $800 per night in the summer – if you can get a reservation – prices for condos now listed for sale in Yountville are more than reasonable.  Whether you’re looking for a weekend getaway or a low-maintenance home in the vineyards, Yountville is an excellent location. Here are Yountville condos for sale as of January 23, 2012.  Drop me a line for more information and to schedule a viewing. (john@jsrealproperty.com)   Price Bed/Bath Sq. Feet DOM Notes $339,000 2/1 1,212 103 2 level, comm. pool $450,000 2/2 1,154 289 1 level, comm.. pool $850,000 2/2 1,646 44 2 level, comm.. pool        ... 01/23/2012

Stats for last 7 days new listing 1, price reduced 2, sale pending 0,  sold 0 Median prices, average days on market current for sale           13 med price $609,000; avg days on market 154 current sale pendings  1  med price $408,500; avg days on market 281 sold in last 6 months    8 med price $558,750; avg days on market 63 Facts, numbers, square footage from BAREIS and/or Napa CountyRealist tax records, accuracy is not guaranteed New Listings 44 Lande Way, $800,000, 3 br 3 ba, 1,796 sf Price Reductions 23 Forrester Ln,  $499,900, 2 br 2 ba, 1,069 sf  19 Forrester Ln,  $649,000, 3 br 2 ba, 1,204 sf Sale Pendings none Solds none 01/21/2012

Stats for last 7 days new listing 0, price reduced 0, sale pending 1,  sold 0 Median prices, average days on market current for sale           12 med price $592,000; avg days on market 160 current sale pendings  1  med price $408,500; avg days on market 274 sold in last 6 months    8 med price $585,750; avg days on market 63 Facts, numbers, square footage from BAREIS and/or Napa CountyRealist tax records, accuracy is not guaranteed New Listings none Price Reductions none Sale Pendings 6701 Washington St, $408,500, 3 br 2 ba, 1,247 sf Solds none 01/14/2012

This is weekly feature post I will do every Friday to tell you about upcoming events in Yountville and the surrounding areas. Please visit and enjoy one or more of these and tell them Curtis sent you. Thanks!!!! January 13 -- Oxbow Market Tour and Cooking ClassFood Education: Cooking with Julie. We meet at Oxbow Public Market to purchase our provisions, then a private tasting and then back to the kitchen for a hands-on cooking class. Beet Soup, pork tenderloin with cider sauce, roasted parsnips, and brussel sprouts with pancetta, lemon posset.Fee: $215 Time: 8:45am-4:30pm Phone Number: 707-227-5036 January 13 - 15 -- Napa Valley Truffle FestivalFestival: The Napa Truffle Festival,brings together two complementary aspects the best chefs in the world known for their truffle cuisine, and ... 01/13/2012

An article by Howard Yune in Sunday's Napa Register, Yountville: Where old vets go to live, reminded me of the many visits I have taken up there. Granted its only one quarter mile away and approximately 100 feet in elevation above my office, but every time I go there I feel as if I am be elevated. Some of visits have been to the Napa Valley Museum, the local Greek Festival at Greek Easter was held there for three years, the wonderful Lincoln Theater and the very thoughtful Verteran's Home Historical Museum of the facility and of many of the Members. Here are a few facts about the Home: Operated by the California Department of Veterans Affairs It was founded in 1884 Currently there are 1,011 residents as of June which includes 186 (79 are veteran's spouses) Members who served in World Wa... 01/11/2012

I can't think of a better cure for the generally dark and dreary days, and hopefully rainy soon,  of January and February this 2012 than with a fresh start in Napa Valley's beautiful Yountville. From now until February 29, the town's third annual Moveable Feast offers visitors and locals alike amazing opportunities to experience its world-class selection of eateries, accommodations and wineries/tasting rooms at unbeatable values. This means indulgent prix-fixe menus, wine tastings and luxury travel packages all to be found in the heart Napa Valley, Yountville. You can look forward to delicious meals and deals at favorites like Bistro Jeanty, Bouchon Bistro, Hurley's Restaurant and Bar and many others. Renowned wineries that can satisfy a diverse range of palates like Hill Family Estate,... 01/11/2012

Stats for last 7 days new listing 0, price reduced 0, sale pending 0,  sold 0 Median prices, average days on market current for sale           13 med price $575,000; avg days on market 161 current sale pendings  1  med price $439,500; avg days on market 115 sold in last 6 months   10 med price $541,000; avg days on market 57 Facts, numbers, square footage from BAREIS and/or Napa CountyRealist tax records, accuracy is not guaranteed New Listings none Price Reductions none Sale Pendings none Solds none 01/07/2012

Here is a link to a .pdf if this is not legible, Yountville a Personal Perspective 01/01/2012

Stats for last 7 days new listing 0, price reduced 0, sale pending 0,  sold 0 Median prices, average days on market current for sale           13 med price $575,000; avg days on market 154 current sale pendings  1  med price $439,500; avg days on market 115 sold in last 6 months   10 med price $541,000; avg days on market 57 Facts, numbers, square footage from BAREIS and/or Napa County Realist tax records, accuracy is not guaranteed New Listings none Price Reductions none Sale Pendings none Solds none 12/31/2011

This is weekly feature post I will do every Friday to tell you about upcoming events in Yountville and the surrounding areas. Please visit and enjoy one or more of these and tell them Curtis sent you. Thanks!!!! December 30 -- New Year's Sparkling Wine Tasting at Back Room Wines Wine Education: Start ringing in 2012 with a tasting of six sparkling wines from around the world at Back Room Wines. Champagne, Cava, California Sparkling, Sekt, etc...the world is full of delicious "bubbles." Enjoy all the bubbles we pour you, and find one or two to enjoy the next night: NEW YEARS EVE! 1000 Main Street, Napa CAFee: $15 Time: 5pm-8pm Phone Number: 707-226-1378 December 31 -- Napa Ballroom Dancers New Years Eve GalaCelebration, Dancing: Napa Ballroom Dancers invites you to usher in 2012,dancing ... 12/30/2011

  Yountville's First Fire House 1. Yountville's First Fire House Marker Inscription. On this site in April, 1929, the County of Napa built Yountville's first fire house, with Homer Douglas serving as volunteer fire chief and Silvio Tonascia as assistant fire chief. The county provided a 1929 Fageol fire truck to be used by the Yountville volunteer firemen. It replaced a trailer with a tank on it, which replaced a "push cart" that the volunteer firemen purchased when they were formally organized in 1917. The tank was filled at a local well, as the only other source of water was an undependable water line from an earthen dam in Hopper Canyon. During World War II the County and the Veterans Home established a mutual aid agreement for support to the community. In 1946, the then fire chief d... 12/26/2011

Stats for last 7 days new listing 0, price reduced 0, sale pending 0, sold 0 Median prices, average days on market current for sale 14 med price $592,000; avg days on market 114 current sale pendings 1 med price $439,500; avg days on market 115 sold in last 6 months 10 med price $541,000; avg days on market 57 Facts, numbers, square footage from BAREIS and/or Napa County Realist tax records, accuracy is not guaranteed New Listings none Price Reductions none Sale Pendings none Solds none 12/24/2011

This is weekly feature post I will do every Friday to tell you about upcoming events in Yountville and the surrounding areas. Please visit and enjoy one or more of these and tell them Curtis sent you. Thanks!!!! December 24-- Napa Valley Wine Train Santa Express Holiday, Family Fun: The Santa Express Train is a magical experience for the young and the young at heart. Ride the express train with our special guest, Santa! Ole' Saint Nick is going to bring some friends (including one with a nose that glows so bright) and carolers on board. This is a fabulous holiday experience for the whole family. 1275 McKinstry Street, Napa CA Fee: $30 - $40 per adult Time: 8am-10:30am Phone Number: 800-427-4124 December 27-- Yankee Doodle Dandy @ Napa Valley Opera House Performing Arts: James Cagney won... 12/23/2011

Stats for last 7 days new listing 2, price reduced 0, sale pending 1,  sold 0 Median prices, average days on market current for sale           14 med price $592,000; avg days on market 134 current sale pendings  1  med price $439,500; avg days on market 115 sold in last 6 months    9 med price $529,500; avg days on market 60 Facts, numbers, square footage from BAREIS and/or Napa County Realist tax records, accuracy is not guaranteed New Listings 33 Forrester Ln, $499,000, 2 br 2ba, 1,069 sf 6922 Yount St, $850,000, 2 br 2ba, 1,646 sf Reductions Sale Pendings none Solds none 12/17/2011