California Wine History

Question 1

Who first introduced wine to California and when was it introduced?

Answer 1

Father Fray Junipero Serra in 1769

Question 2

Where did the first vines brought to California come from? What was the grape varietal?

Answer 2

Canary Island. Mission Grape what is now known as Listán Prieto or Palomino Negro

Question 3

What year was the oldest California Winery established?

Answer 3

1755

Question 4

When were vinifera grapes first introduced to Southern California?

Answer 4

1830’s

Question 5

Why did an influx of winemakers and grape growers move to Sierra Foothills in 1848?

Answer 5

Gold discovered.

Population increased to 25,000 all at once

Question 6

Who published the first important work on California wine?

Answer 6

Agoston Haraszthy. He also founded Bueno Vista winery and introduced many Vitis Vinifera varieties to Northern California.

Question 7

What impact did the completion of the transcontinental railroad (1869) have on the California wine industry?

Answer 7

Cali wine could now be accessed by new domestic markets. Becomes popular on the East Coast.

Question 8

What year was Phylloxera discovered in Napa?

Answer 8

1872

Question 9

At the end of the 19th Century, what impact did Phylloxera have on California wine?

Answer 9

Fewer than 50% if vineyards remained.

Question 10

In 1873 what did George Hussman accomplish?

Answer 10

Successfully graphed European vines onto American rootstock.

Question 11

In the 1850’s where did the prohibition begin?

Answer 11

Mid West and East Coast

Question 12

What was the Volstead Act and when was it passed?

Answer 12

Volstead Act (18th Amendment) production, sales, transportation of Alcohol becomes illegal. 1919

Question 13

How did some wineries survive the prohibition?

Answer 13

Sacramental wine production and sales of yeast/dried must home kits.

Question 14

What year was prohibition repealed?

Answer 14

1933

Question 15

When the prohibition was repealed how many wineries remained?

Answer 15

Less than 100. (1919 there was 2,500 wineries)

Question 16

What year did Stephen Spurrier set up the Paris Tasting?

Answer 16

1976

Question 17

At the Paris Tasting, which two wines did French wine judges choose?

Answer 17

1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay & 1973 Stags Leap Wine Cellars S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon

Question 18

In 1986 a new form of ________ was discovered in California.

Answer 18

Phylloxera

Question 19

I’m 1991 what program aired on “60 Minutes” that increased red wine sales by 40% in California state?

Answer 19

French Paradox by Serge Renaud Ph. D

The “French Paradox” shows health benefits of red wine

Question 20

Post 1986 Phylloxera, what are the three main varietals planted in California?

Answer 20

Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, & Merlot

Question 21

Why is Count Agoston Harasthy important to California’s wine history?

Answer 21

Introduced many varietal of vitis vinifera to Northern California.

Wrote “Report on Grapes and Wine of California”which is considered the first important work on CA wine industry.

Owned Bueno Vista winery (est 1858) . Currently one of California’s oldest wineries.

Question 22

Who was Andrè Tchelistcheff?

Answer 22

Russian winemaker trained in France.

Set a new benchmark for quality of wine in America when he released George de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon from Beaulie Vineyard (Napa, CA)

Introduced new hygienic standards, methology, and techniques to CA winemaking. This includes temperature controlled fermentation and controlled Malolactic ferment.

Mentored Robert Mondavi, Louis Martini, Joe Heitz, Mike Grgich +++

Question 23

What year did the Mondavi family purchase Charles Krug Winery?

Answer 23

1943

Question 24

Which winery was the first to open in CA Valleys since the 1930’s?

Answer 24

Robert Mondavi Winery (1966)

Question 25

Who created “Fumè Blanc” and what is it?

Answer 25

Robert Mondavi

Oak aged Sauvignon Blanc

Question 26

From 1769 - 1826 how many forts and missions were founded by Franciscan monks

Answer 26

26

Question 27

What city and what years was the first vineyard in California planted?

Answer 27

1769 in San Diego

Question 28

What were the first non-native vines planted in California?

Answer 28

Listan Prieto

Also known as Polomino Negro or Mission grape

Question 29

Who were three famous winemakers who moved to Sierra Foothills 1848

Answer 29

Jacob Schram, Jacob Beringer, Charles Krug

Question 30

What year did Robert Mondavi leave Charles Krug?

Answer 30

1965

Question 31

What was the first new winery built in Napa Valley since the 1930’s

Answer 31

Robert Mondavi, 1966

• First winery to focus on varietally labeled wines

Question 32

What year did dry wines over take sweet wines in domestic consumption

Answer 32

1967

Question 33

Why is George Calvert Yount important for Californias wine history?

Answer 33

Planted Napas first vineyard in 1838/39

Town of Yountville named after him

Question 34

Who discovered that grafting American rootstock to vitis vinifera cured Phylloxera?

Answer 34

George Husmann

Question 35

What is Charles Wetmore known for?

Answer 35

• Convinced California legislation to establish the viticulture commission
• started Cresta Blanca winery who’s wines won at Paris Exposition

Question 36

What is Isabelle Simi known for?

Answer 36

Women pioneer in Californias wine history. Took over her family’s winery at the age of 18. Winery was 1 of 50 that survived prohibition.