A Look at Napa Valley History

Leveraging over 30 years of experience, Jim (James) Cicchese is a Realtor for COMPASS, a real estate and brokerage firm that specializes in luxury properties. Serving the greater Conejo Valley market, Jim Cicchese provides acquisition and marketing services related to residential, luxury, and condominium properties. In addition to his professional pursuits, Mr. Cicchese enjoys visiting towns along the California coast, including Napa. 

Today, the Napa Valley is globally recognized as a premier wine producing region. Located approximately one hour from San Francisco, the area’s geology, soil, climate, and weather are perfect for growing a variety of different grapes that create distinctive, world-renowned wines. Modern Napa is known for its posh tasting bars and Michelin-starred restaurants. However, the affluence of the area is relatively new. 

Grapes were first planted in Napa Valley in 1839 by a settler named George Yount. About 30 years later, Charles King launched the area’s first winery, starting a trend that led to several wineries in the area. Some of the businesses that began in the mid 1800’s, including Beringer Vineyards, Schramsberg Vineyards, and Inglenook, are still operating today.

A major setback hit the valley during the 1890s when phylloxera, a root louse, attacked and killed 80 percent of the region’s grapevines. For the next 35 years, vineyards were plagued by phylloxera. Hardship for area vineyards continued with prohibition, passed in 1920. Only a handful of vineyards that began making sacramental wines survived. 

In hopes of beginning a collaborative partnership, area vineyards drew together in 1944 to form the Napa Valley Vintners, an organization that now represents 525 area wineries. Over the next several decades the area experienced the fruit of that effort as it slowly recovered. In 1976, a Napa Chardonnay received world recognition at the Judgement of Paris, placing the region on the global stage.

Napa continues to produce fine wines that are recognized across the globe. Visitors to the region enjoy touring vineyards, eating at fine restaurants, and exploring numerous galleries.

Calvary Community Church’s Programs for Married Couples

A realtor for nearly 30 years, Jim Cicchese recently signed on with Compass Real Estate in Westlake Village, California. As a person of faith, Jim Cicchese maintains membership with Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village.

Calvary provides several ministries to married couples. Foremost among these is Marriage Matters: The Intentional Marriage Workshops, which meet the first and third Sundays of each month from 9 to 10:15 a.m.

Facilitated by the Marriage Matters leadership team, the workshops focus on the work and attention required for a good marriage. Guest speakers offer guidance for enriching the relationship on a daily basis. The series is open to engaged and married couples of all ages and experience. Participants who are unable to attend all sessions are still welcome. The church provides childcare.

The Marriage Prep program, offered three times annually, helps engaged persons prepare for the next step. For couples experiencing difficulties, Calvary has started a mentoring program, which develops connections with other couples that can offer support.

Additionally, the church regularly sponsors a date night, which allows couples to enjoy some private time while someone attends to their children.

Mountain Biking the Backbone Trail in the Santa Monica Mountains

With more than 28 years of experience in real estate, Jim Cicchese serves as a realtor for Keller Williams in Westlake Village, California. When he finds time away from his professional commitment, Jim Cicchese can often be found mountain biking through the nearby Santa Monica Mountains.

Near the top of the Santa Monica Mountains, the Backbone Trail is a 67-mile ridgeline trail stretching from Will Rogers State Historic Park to Point Mugu State Park. Built primarily by volunteers, the varied Backbone Trail incorporates old animal paths and fire roads into various trail sections.

Mountain biking is popular on the Backbone Trail, but bicycles are not permitted on all its sections. As a general rule, trails 4 feet and wider are open to cyclists unless otherwise marked. Most of these areas are fire roads, though some single-track trails in the Thousand Oaks and Topanga State Park areas are also available for cycling. 

Backbone Trail officials request that mountain bikers minimize their impact on the land by riding responsibly and taking all their refuse with them. Cyclists should also avoid muddy trails, leave wildlife alone, and avoid tampering with gates on the trail.

Wheels for the World

A real estate agent and corporate relocation specialist with Keller Williams in Westlake Village, California, Jim Cicchese was named a top producing agent at his former position at Re/Max Olson and Associates. Outside of his professional life, Jim Cicchese enjoys volunteering and supporting his local church, Calvary Community Church.

Calvary Community Church is a Christian worship center and organization located in Westlake, California. A large church, Calvary Community sponsors an array of support programs for its members and its local community, as well as a variety of fundraising and charity events for volunteers. These include counseling sessions, health and wellness programs, financial assistance, marriage resources, Bible studies, and more. 

Additionally, Calvary Community Church hosts international aid efforts through its mission trips. These mission trips take place in a variety of places throughout the world and largely focus on volunteering at local community centers within these places to help aid and assist those in need. 

Calvary Community Church also joins in an ongoing project called Wheels for the World, a disability-centered program designed to provide wheelchairs to children across the globe. While the program functions in part within the United States to repurpose and update wheelchairs, Wheels for the World also requires team members to travel to other countries to distribute the wheelchairs, fit them to the recipients, and teach the children how to use and maintain them.

Meet Jim!

Sponsoring a Child through World Vision

 


The real estate industry gave Jim Cicchese the chance to help individuals find new homes. This career also enabled Jim Cicchese to support two orphaned boys in Mexico through World Vision. World Vision’s Sponsorship Program invites interested people or entities to provide for a child’s basic needs until the he or she and the community to which he or she belongs becomes self-sufficient.

The sponsorship process begins with the sponsor’s selection of a child from depressed areas in Africa, Latin America, Asia, and Eastern Europe. The profiles of children from these communities can be accessed through World Vision’s online database. Once sponsors have selected a child, they begin an ongoing financial commitment to send $39 every month. These donations will be used to create sustainable access to clean water, proper health care, and educational opportunities.

Throughout the process, sponsors will also get the chance to establish a relationship with the child and his or her community. They can not only provide encouragement via letters and photos, but also meet and visit with the child.

Monterey’s Historic Old Custom House

Jim Cicchese is a longtime Westlake Village, California, realtor who serves as an agent with the local Keller Williams office. An avid traveler, Jim Cicchese particularly enjoys visiting Northern California destinations such as San Francisco, Carmel, and Monterey. An historic town that was the center of government during California’s Spanish colonial, Mexican, and early U.S. eras, Monterey still has numerous historical buildings from the early 19th century.

Prominent among these is the Old Custom House, which stands near Fisherman's Wharf and holds status as California’s oldest government building. Constructed in 1827, the building operated for nearly two decades as the place where duties were levied on all shipments that entered California via Monterey Bay. A particular focus was the state’s pre-Gold Rush tallow and hide trade, with fees of between $5,000 and $25,000 not uncommon for a single ship’s cargo load. This trade provided California with its largest single source of revenue during the Mexican era.

The Custom House became home to the U.S. Consulate in 1844, and two years later an American flag was flown, as California was ceded to the United States. It continued operations as a U.S. customs house until 1868, when it became a private residence.