In 1869, a group of Japanese immigrants traveled to Northern California to form the Wakamatsu Tea & Silk Colony of 1869. This group found initial success at the San Francisco Fair in 1870, where they sold 1k of their tea trees. Due to a severe drought and the loss of their leader who returned to Japan, the colony disbanded.
In an attempt to preserve the history of these Japanese pioneers, Nao Magami (one of our docent volunteers!) planted 100 seedlings in Napa, California. The land where they currently reside was once owned by the "Wine King of California," a samurai named Nagasawa Kanae. The Sonoma County Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League assists in cultivating these trees.
Our "Legacies Blend" tea is produced by a team of Japanese tea masters, who created a wonderful green tea whose purpose is to remember and honor the legacies of the Wakamatsu colony. Nao offers green tea tastings and events to share this history with others. If you are interested in hosting a tasting, you may contact Nao at zakmagami@mac.co.
Rose cup sold separately