The History of California Wine

California has a long and rich history of winemaking. The wine industry marked its beginning in 1769, when the first vines were planted, San Diego at the Mission of the Franciscan missionary Father Junipero Serra. This black-skinned grape variety, the grape was called Mission, played a significant role in California wine to 1880.

In 1833, first documented imported European wine vines of California was theplanted in Los Angeles by a French winemaker Jean-Louis Vignes. Later in the 1850s and 60s, Agoston Harazsthy - a Hungarian soldier, merchant and imported - the original vine cuttings from around 165 European vineyards. In total he made 300 different grape varieties in California.

Harazsthy made the outstanding contribution to the development of the wine, the wine industry made him known as the founder of California. "He founded theBuena Vista Winery, which can still be seen in Sonoma. Great efforts have been made in California to promote the planting of vines in North America. In addition, he has no idea irrigated vineyards and built the many caves for wine storage.

In the 1890s, most of Europe's vines destroyed by the attack of

Phylloxera - a destructive root louse. The attempts made to eliminate the plague were mostly unsuccessful. Finally, Thomas V. Munson - who wasis considered the "Father of Texas wine" - Vine promoted the idea of European wine grafting onto American rootstock.

California wine industry faces a sharp decrease due to the National Prohibition (1920 to 1933). Most of the industry, which was originally up to 713 bonded wineries, wiped away during the ban. End of 1933, the California wine industry managed gradually revive Up. The common varieties of the time wereThompson seedless, Flame Tokay and Emperor.

Today, California wine industry who is among the best in the world. It contributes about 90% of the total U.S. wine production. The industry has approximately 2445 wineries, more than 500 million liters of wine per year to produce. Chardonnay is the most grown variety of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel and White followed.