Let’s Talk Ghost Wineries. What are they? Haunted houses for grape-loving spirits? Spooky vineyards with ghostly winemakers? Not quite, but close!
Picture this: over the years, I’ve driven past these decrepit wine houses and forlorn plots of land, which are known as “Ghost Wineries.” Intriguing, right? So, what’s the story behind these spectral spots? Well, here’s what I found out. Back in the early 1900s, Napa Valley was bustling with around 700 wineries. It was a grape utopia! But then came the double whammy of Prohibition and the Great Depression, and poof—the number of active wineries plummeted to around 40. It was a real-life horror story for wine enthusiasts. Are these places haunted, you ask? Well, not exactly. They aren’t home to your typical chain-rattling ghosts, but they do stand as eerie reminders of Napa Valley’s rich history. Many of these ghostly relics have been given a second chance, bought and revived by modern wine lovers. Think of them as the “zombies” of the wine world—back from the dead and ready to party! And for those who love a good ghost story, check out @sommtv’s documentary, Ghosts of Spring Mountain. It’s spooky enough to make you look over your shoulder while you sip your Chardonnay. Cheers to that!
Photo from the @visitnapa website
This is so interesting! I had never thought about how many wineries existed and had been shut down by the evil Prohibition! It’s great that wine lovers are resurrecting some of them.
It’s such a fascinating story. There is so much more to come ! 🍷