6/3/2023 0 Comments California wines![]() ![]() With the abundance of spas, bed and breakfasts, and luxury resorts throughout California’s wine regions, the state is a perfect vacation getaway for wine lovers. Jordan Winery Tasting Room, Courtesy of Jordan Winery | Kendall BusbyĬalifornia’s Wine Regions Welcome Guests With Open Arms Oregon and Washington, which often flip-flop between second and third place, each only have about 800 – 1,000 estates. California also has the largest number of wineries in the country, with 4,700 at last count, which comprises nearly half the wineries in the entire country. The majority were red grapes with 2,031 thousand tons and whites made up 1,601 thousand tons. According to the 2021 California Crush Report, 3,632 thousand tons of wine grapes were harvested in 2021. wine and clocking in as the world’s fourth leading wine producer. The Golden State is by far the largest producer of American wine, making 81% of all U.S. Old Vine Zinfandel vines at Dry Creek Vineyard, Courtesy of Dry Creek Vineyard Plus, vineyards of zinfandel, considered America’s heritage grape, continue to thrive and contain some of the oldest vines - many over 100 years old - in the country. While chardonnay is the most popular variety, followed closely by cabernet sauvignon, it’s not unusual to find grapes indigenous to other countries, like albariño from Spain, touriga nacional from Portugal, and barbera from Italy, dotted throughout vineyards. There are over 100 different grape varieties cultivated in California, and the number continues to grow. Vineyards Play Host to Numerous International Grapes ![]() ![]() Just recently, the West Sonoma Coast AVA and the San Luis Obispo Coast AVA obtained TTB approval to become official appellations. As winemakers continue to understand their terroir, new AVAs are continually proposed. If a wine carries an AVA name on the label, 85% of the grapes must come from the stated designation. Under state law, wines labeled as “California” must contain 100% fruit grown in the state and must also be produced in California. Martini’s early days, Courtesy of GalloĪs of August 2022, there are 147 American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) in the state, with grapes grown as far north as Shasta and as far south as the Temecula Valley. Growth was slow, but after the 1976 Judgment of Paris - where California wines received high accolades and bested their French counterparts - the state received a shot of confidence as well as adrenaline and the industry flourished. Once the law was repealed, a new Viticulture and Enology program at the University of California Davis sought to revive the damaged industry. Prohibition nearly destroyed the industry a loophole in the law allowed for home winemaking, but with demand for grapes rising, growers ripped out the high-quality, pricier varieties in favor of cheaper grapes. Although Southern California was the epicenter for wine throughout the first half of the 1800s, settlers were inspired to head north during the Gold Rush (1848 – 1855), laying the groundwork for today’s famous regions such as Napa and Sonoma. The variety, known as the mission grape, thrived until about 1880. Winemaking Has a Long History in the StateĬalifornia’s winemaking history began as early as the 1700s, when missionaries from Spain brought vines with them in order to produce wine for communion. California has firmly established its reputation as one of America’s most revered wine regions, but how much do you really know about California wine? Given that September is California Wine Month, we’ve rounded up some interesting facts about the Golden State and its wineries that may surprise you. ![]()
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