Video:What is the History of Wine in California?

Transcript:What is the History of Wine in California?

Hi, I'm Annie Browne, co-founder of the Hoot 'n' Annie Wine and Adventure Blog. I'm here today at Edward Sellers Winery in Paso Robles, on behalf of About.com, to give you a brief overview of California's wine history.

About History of Wine in California

While wine has been made in the state forseveral centuries, California's modern wine industry really gained a foothold in the Napa Valley region during the 1960s and 70s. During this time, a handful of wineries were producing quality wines; however, the wine-drinking world at-large was not taking notice.

Pioneers in the California Wine Industry

In the mid-1960s, California wine pioneer Robert Mondavi built his namesake winery, which was the first major post-Prohibition winery built in the Napa Valley. Mondavi also helped to establish the practice of labeling wines with the variety of grape used to produce them. The giant leap forward for the California winemaking industry came in 1976 with the aptly named Judgement of Paris. This event was a blind taste test that pitted several of the best Napa Valley wines against all that France had to offer. The results stunned the wine-drinking world as California wines from the Napa Valley took first place in both Reds and Whites. The success of Napa Wines at this event jumpstarted the growth of the California wine industry, and today, the Napa Valley is one of the busiest and most respected wine regions in the world.

History of the Varietals Found in California

While many different varietals are produced in the Napa Valley, they are especially known for their Cabernet Sauvignons and Chardonnays. Apart from the Napa Valley, California features a number of thriving wine regions, each with their signature varietals and styles. California's Central Valley, primarily Lodi and the Sierra foothills, are best known for their old vine Zinfandels. The cooler climates of the coastal regions such as Santa Cruz, Monterey, Anderson Valley, and Mendocino, produce great Pinot Noirs. North of Los Angeles, the Santa Ynez Valley is known for their Chardonnays and Rhone varietals, while Paso Robles, referred to by some as “The New Napa,” is known for everything from Zins and Syrahs, to their distinctive red and white blends. The passion of a few pioneers proved that you don't have to live in France to produce world-class wines. In the decades since, California wines have continued to grow in character and diversity.

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