Napa County Biographies

Hillcrest

Transcribed by: Bonnie Phelan

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

 
      Such is the appropriate name of Hon. A.L. Tubbs� beautiful summer 
residence, situated at a short distance above the romantic town of Calistoga. It 
occupies a magnificent position on a �hill crest,� commanding a view that has 
few equals upon the continent, let alone in California, ranging from the rugged 
and romantic ravines and towering heights of Mount St. Helena to the beautiful 
and cultivated fields of the valley. The beautiful place owes its charm almost 
equally to nature and to art, neither trouble or expense having been spared to 
take every advantage of the great material beauties of the spot. The estate 
comprises some 275 acres, including vineyard and pasture lands upon the hillside 
as well as the rich alluvial bottom lands of the valley; 110 acres are planted 
in vines, all of the choicer and better varieties, and another year fifty more 
of Cabernet-Sauvignon will be planted. The wine cellar is a magnificent stone 
structure, in castellated style, two stories in height, built of the fine 
light-colored stone for which the valley is noted. The roof is of corrugated 
iron, the cooperage all of the best and every appointment first-class in every 
respect. The cellar-master is Mr. Jerome Bardot, of French parentage and 
education, and a thorough master of the business of winemaking. The capacity of 
the cellar is 265,000 gallons. As increasing business requires it, tunnels will 
be run into the hillside to take advantage of the moisture and more even 
temperature thus afforded. In addition there is also a winery of wood, with the 
capacity of 150,000 gallons, where the processes of winemaking are carried on, 
the whole admirably arranged and comparing favorably with anything in the 
valley. Upon the place are employed about thirty-five men, the farm being under 
the superintendency of Mr. John Hoover. The stables are comprised in a tasteful 
building of stone and wood, ivy clad and elegant in appearance. The horses that 
occupy the stables are of good breed, the Hambletonian strain being predominant. 
The house itself and the grounds are, however, the greatest ornament. The house 
is of light and tasteful architecture, stone in the lower story and wooden 
above. The style of architecture is ornate and modern, and is large and 
handsome. It is furnished and finished in hard woods, having waxed floors, 
covered with rugs, everything being in the highest and best taste, and 
presenting a perfect type of a cultured gentleman�s residence. The grounds about 
it are of unusual beauty. They were laid out by Mr. Ulrich, the celebrated 
landscape artist and architect, who laid out the Del Monte grounds at Monterey, 
so noted throughout the world.
      We are talking entirely within limits when we say that the grounds at 
Hillcrest are in no wise inferior, possessing great natural advantages. Their 
great beauty can only be appreciated when seen. The drives and promenades wind 
up the hill to the mansion, through groves of large madrona, manzanita, and 
other natural trees, a feature being of a grove of Monterey pines and cypress. 
The scenery from almost every point is surpassing, grand old Mount St. Helena 
towering over all. It should be stated, moreover, on account of the proximity of 
the mountains the temperature of the place is in summer from five to ten degrees 
cooler then at Calistoga. Near by the hills are tennis courts, the summit being 
crowned by a flagstaff. Deer, and sometime even bear and other wild game often 
roam down from the wilderness of the mountain side, and are in reach of the 
sportsman�s rifle. In truth this magnificent estate and summer residence may be 
cited as a typical instance of the cultured American gentleman�s retreat, all 
things seeming joined together by nature and art to fashion a perfect place. We 
may perhaps be pardoned a feeling of pride in according to it a leading position 
in our pages.
      From Mr. Bardot, it was learned that Mr. Tubbs, who is now in Europe, has 
sent out 10,000 grape cuttings from the celebrated Liebfraumilch vineyard at 
Johannisburg, to be set out at Hillcrest, and that he will also send the same 
number of cuttings from the equally famous Chateau Yquem, and likewise 25,000 
cuttings of the Chateau Latite.  Mr. Bardot, the cellar master, is enthusiastic 
upon the subject of choice wines, and there seems no doubt that, aided by the 
liberal policy of Mr. Tubbs, the highest results will be obtained. The writer 
was permitted to taste some of the wines already produced, and has certainly 
tasted nothing better in California.    
       
Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California The Lewis Publishing Co., 
1891 Pages 828-829