Missionaries established a system north along the west coast. San Diego was established in 1769; San Francisco in 1823 (click here for a timeline). With them came the first grape designated for wine making in California: the Mission grape.
--Brent W.
Julia Grossman
ReplyDeleteThis article helps to put the chronology and history of wine-making in California into words for the reader. Important events are mentioned, that were resulted from important historical moments in history. Winemaking came about as a result of the economy and culture of the time. The following quote represents one of the most significant times in California's wine-making history,
"The post Civil War prosperity of the late sixties had the definite markings of aboom in the California economy. With a soaring population, overwhelmingly male, and industrialization transforming the Bay Area, Northern California had truly become a part of the European industrial society, best symbolized by the completion of the transcontinental railroad. Industrialized San Francisco could now produce bottles, barrels, and winemaking equipment. markets on the West Coast, hope for improvement in eastern markets, and the apparent improvement in California wine wuality all attracted capitalists to the Napa wine scene." This paragraph, for me, marks one of the most important events spoken of, in this article. The changes that happened right after the Civil War allowed California to take the appropriate steps that would lead it to being the well-respected wine-making area that it is today.
“Meanwhile in San Francisco and efficient and powerful group of wine merchants had been developing. They would increasingly have their say in matters concerning the northern California industry.”
ReplyDeleteCalifornia has risen quickly in the wine world. California wines are now able to compete with wines from around the world. They have consistently proved this through the many awards that they have been. However the true test comes in with the consumers are they willing to buy domestic wines over and over again. Or are they looking for a more genuine and specific wine from Europe. California has not always been known for their wine. Compared to the rest of the world the wine industry in California is in its early years.
Wine grapes have only come to California in the last 2oo years. Before that the United states did not really know that a grape could grow here in the united states. The mission grape first came to San Diego and then the mission grape came to San Francisco. A long with that grape came the first seeds of desire for a local wine. Every since then history has forever been shaped by this grape. The planting of the first grapes opened up a whole other legacy and desire for more diversified grapes.
-Catherine S