February 14th - This Date in Wine History

/
Valentine's Qorkz

Wine has a long established history of being our drink of choice for celebrating, entertaining, and savoring life; but it didn't start out that way. From the invention of the barrel to the designation of the separate viticultural areas, wine has a long and sorted history.  In our daily feature This Date In Wine History, we share an event of critical importance in wine history.

  • Happy Valentine’s Day.  St. Valentine has no reference to wine history, but sweethearts often toast their love with wine or Champagne!  Cheers!
  • New Mexico's Mesilla Valley AVA was designated in 1985.
  • The Côte Roannaise AOC was named in 1994.

February 9th - This Date in Wine History

/

Lady Jane Grey

Wine has a long established history of being our drink of choice for celebrating, entertaining, and savoring life; but it didn't start out that way. From the invention of the barrel to the designation of the separate viticultural areas, wine has a long and sorted history.  In our daily feature This Date In Wine History, we share an event of critical importance in wine history.

  • English Protestant martyr, Rowland Taylor died in 1555.  He was a supporter of Lady Jane Grey who was overthrown by Mary.   He tried and found guilty of heresy for objecting to the doctrine of transubstantiation where bread and wine are transformed into the body and blood of Jesus Christ.  He was burned at the stake. 
  • Max Schubert, Australian winemaker responsible for Penfolds Grange Hermitage was born in 1915.
  • Connecticut's Western Connecticut Highlands AVA was designated in 1988.
  • The Australian Geographical Indication "Adelaide Hills" was registered in 1998.
  • New Jersey's Outer Coastal Plain AVA was designated in 2007.

San Antonio Valley - Wine Region of the Day

/

San Antonio Valley by David Toomey for Qorkz.

The San Antonio Valley received its designation as an AVA in 2006. The San Antonio Valley is located in Monterey County and is bordered to the west by the Santa Lucia Mountains. The soil is primarily gravely loam and clay. The climate is typically warm and dry but benefits from the cooling breezes of nearby Lake San Antonio and the Pacific Ocean. The region is known for its production of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Roussanne, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, and Zinfandel.

Creston District - Wine Region of the Day

/

Creston District by David Toomey for Qorkz.

One of the eleven Paso Robles sub-appellations, the Creston DIstrict is located in the southern portion of its parent.  It is an eroded plane at the base of the La Panza Range.  The soils are made from the alluvial terraces and fans from the three branches of the Huerhuero Creek and are a mix of granites and sedimentary rocks. The region has elevations of 1,000-2,000 feet about sea level and averages 11.5 inches of rain per year.  Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Syrah and Zinfandel are the most commonly planted grapes.

February 2nd - This Date in Wine History

/

Wine has a long established history of being our drink of choice for celebrating, entertaining, and savoring life; but it didn't start out that way. From the invention of the barrel to the designation of the separate viticultural areas, wine has a long and sorted history.  In our daily feature This Date In Wine History, we share an event of critical importance in wine history.

  • "Wein, Weib und Gesang" ("Wine, Women and Song"), Op.333 by Johann Strauss II was performed for the first time in 1869.
  • In 1659, Jan van Riebeeck, the founder of Cape Town, produced the first known wine in South Africa.
  • Spain's Méntrida DO and Ribeiro DO was created in 1976.
  • New Mexico's Middle Rio Grande Valley AVA was designated in 1988.

Leona Valley - Wine Region of the Day

/

Leona Valley by David Toomey for Qorkz.

Leona Valley received its designation as an AVA in 2008. Located on 8,751 acres, Leona Valley is located in North Eastern Los Angeles County. Leona Valley features well draining nutrient rich alluvial soils. The Leona Valley is a high desert climate with hot days and cool evenings. The grapes receive daily sun during the height of the growing season, and the 2,700-foot elevation of the vineyards ensures a cool evening and a longer growing season. The region is known for its production of Sangiovese, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Malbec.

The valley was named for rancher, Miguel Leonis, a Basque shepard from France who bought a previously existing adobe in Calabasas, California which was eventually expanded into a Monterey style building with a Queen Anne veranda. Leonis eventually controlled most of the western portion of the San Fernando Valley and was considered the robber baron of the region.  The adobe is considered to be one the most haunted places in California with sitings of Miguel, his common-law wife, Espiritu Chujilla, a Chumash indian, who was forced to fight her husband's relatives in court when her 'husband' referred to her as his "faithful housekeeper" in his will.

Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley - Wine Region of the Day

/

Oak Knoll District of  Napa Valley by David Toomey for Qorkz.

The Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley received its designation as an AVA in 2004 and is a sub-appellation of the Napa Valley AVA. Located on 8,300 acres at the most southern end of Napa Valley, its proximity to San Pablo Bay and low elevation results in a climate that is moderate and cool. The soils of the region are an alluvial mix of sand and clay and drain very well. The colder climate gives this region an extended growing season that allow the grapes to develop a balanced acidity. Given the moderate climate and relatively consistent elevation, Oak Knoll has more vines planted to it than any other region in Napa Valley. A wide variety of wine grapes do well in this climate; however, the most common are Merlot, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.

January 29th - This Date in Wine History

/

Flag of New Mexico

Wine has a long established history of being our drink of choice for celebrating, entertaining, and savoring life; but it didn't start out that way. From the invention of the barrel to the designation of the separate viticultural areas, wine has a long and sorted history.  In our daily feature This Date In Wine History, we share an event of critical importance in wine history.

  • California's San Lucas AVA was designated in 1987.
  • New Mexico's Middle Rio Grande Valley AVA was designated in 1988.
  • Spain's Binissalem-Mallorca DO was created in 1991.

January 28th - This Date in Wine History

/

The Bal des Ardents from Froissart's Chronicles

Wine has a long established history of being our drink of choice for celebrating, entertaining, and savoring life; but it didn't start out that way. From the invention of the barrel to the designation of the separate viticultural areas, wine has a long and sorted history.  In our daily feature This Date In Wine History, we share an event of critical importance in wine history.

  • Charles VI of France almost dies during the Bal des Ardents in 1393.  During the celebration the King and five other nobles performed a charivari dance dressed as wild animals.  They were set ablaze accidentally by the King’s brother, the Duke of Orleans.  The only other noble to survive (besides the King) jumped into a vat of wine to save himself.
  • English writer and critic, George Saintsbury, author of Notes on a Cellar-Book died in 1933.
  • The Rossese di Dolceacqua DOC was created in 1972.
  • California's Napa Valley AVA was designated in 1981.

January 27th - This Date in Wine History

/

Shah Abbas I of Persia with wine boy by Muhammad Qasim

Wine has a long established history of being our drink of choice for celebrating, entertaining, and savoring life; but it didn't start out that way. From the invention of the barrel to the designation of the separate viticultural areas, wine has a long and sorted history.  In our daily feature This Date In Wine History, we share an event of critical importance in wine history.

  • Shah Abbas I of Persia was born in 1571.  There are paintings of the Shah being handed wine to drink despite Islam's prohibitions against it.
  • In 1659, Jan van Riebeeck, the founder of Cape Town, produced the first known wine in South Africa.
  • California's Stags Leap District AVA was designated in 1989.

High Valley - Wine Region of the Day

/
High Valley AVA by David Toomey for Qorkz.

High Valley AVA by David Toomey for Qorkz.

High Valley AVA is located in the most eastern part of Lake County, California and contains an extinct volcano. The valley sits between elevations of 1,600 feet to 3,000 feet. The High Valley AVA has a wide variance of growing regions between the valley basin and elevated hillsides. The valley in inundated by cold winds which keeping the valley cool. Like much of Lake County, the High Valley is known for its alluvial fans in the valley and hilltop benches, which provide a the area with a variety of growing regions. The warmer volcanic soils of the hillsides are known for their Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon while the cool sandy valley floor provide well-drained beds for varieties such as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Fair Play - Wine Region of the Day

/

Photo of the Fair Play by David Toomey for Qorkz.

Fair Play received its designation as an AVA in 2001. Situated on 23,198 acres, Fair Play is a sub-appellation of the El Dorado AVA. Centered on the town of Placerville, Fair Play's growing regions sit at 2,000 to 3,000 feet above sea level. Soils in the region are largely loam based and well draining. The climate in Fair Play features warm days followed by cold nights. The altitude allows the vines extra hours of sunshine and warm temperatures during the day, but also allows them to cool down at night. This diurnal cycle keeps the grapes from ripening too quickly and allows for the wines to develop their balanced acidity and tannin structure. The region is known for its production of Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah.

Santa Maria Valley - Wine Region of the Day

/

Photo of Santa Maria Valley by David Toomey for Qorkz.

The Santa Maria Valley of the Central Coast is a natural funnel-shaped valley opening west to the Pacific Ocean. The elevation of the area ranges from approximately 200 feet at the intersection of Highway 101 and Santa Maria River to approximately 3,200 feet at Tepusquet Peak. The grapes that are grown within the area are on the valley floor at an approximate elevation of 300 feet on the slopes and rolling hillsides up to an elevation of 800 feet. The soils within the area range in texture from sandy loam to clay loam and are free from adverse salts.

Since the valley opens to the ocean, there is no opposition to the sea fog that moves in overnight, engulfing lower-lying vineyards, and often lingering into mid-day. This creates a cool growing environment that features a long growing season and very little rainfall, meaning grapes have extensive time to build flavor on the vine. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Sauvignon Blanc make up the majority of the Santa Maria Valley crops.

January 23rd - This Date in Wine History

/

Rogue Valley by Gretchen Miller Neuman for Qorkz.

Wine has a long established history of being our drink of choice for celebrating, entertaining, and savoring life; but it didn't start out that way. From the invention of the barrel to the designation of the separate viticultural areas, wine has a long and sorted history.  In our daily feature This Date In Wine History, we share an event of critical importance in wine history.

  • The Menetou-Salon AOC was named in 1959
  • California's Clarksburg AVA and Virginia's Monticello AVA were designated in 1984
  • California's Sonoma Mountain AVA was designated in 1985
  • Oregon's Rogue Valley AVA was designated in 1991

January 22nd - This Date in Wine History

/

St. Vincente de Zaragoza by Tomás Giner

Wine has a long established history of being our drink of choice for celebrating, entertaining, and savoring life; but it didn't start out that way. From the invention of the barrel to the designation of the separate viticultural areas, wine has a long and sorted history.  In our daily feature This Date In Wine History, we share an event of critical importance in wine history.

  • California's Atlas Peak AVA was designated in 1992.
  • Today is the feast day of Saint Vincent of Saragossa, patron saint of vintners.

Edna Valley - Wine Region of the Day

/

Edna Valley by David Toomey for Qorkz.

Edna Valley received designation as an AVA in 1982. Sitting on 22,400 acres, Edna Valley is in San Luis Obispo County. Edna Valley features Lopez Lake to the south and Islay Hill to the north. The valley is shadowed by volcanic mountains and is characterized by black humus and clay-rich soils. The valley is cooled by breezes from the Pacific Ocean and morning fog.  It also receives ample daytime sunshine. This combination allows for a slow ripening of the fruit during an extended growing season. The longer hang time gives the Chardonnays of Edna Valley their bright fruit flavors and well-balanced acidity. In addition to Chardonnay , Edna Valley is also known for producing of Pinot Noir .

January 20th - This Date in Wine History

/

San Francisco Bay by David Toomey for Qorkz.

Wine has a long established history of being our drink of choice for celebrating, entertaining, and savoring life; but it didn't start out that way. From the invention of the barrel to the designation of the separate viticultural areas, wine has a long and sorted history.  In our daily feature This Date In Wine History, we share an event of critical importance in wine history.

  • Richard Graff, pioneer of California wine making was born in 1937. 
  • Baron Philippe de Rothschild died in 1988.
  • California's San Francisco Bay AVA was designated in 1999.
  • The owner of Trump Winery, Donald J. Trump is inaugurated as the 45th President of the United States in 2017.

San Pasqual Valley - Wine Region of the Day

/

San Pasqual Valley by David Toomey for Qorkz.

San Pasqual Valley received its designation as an AVA in 1981. Situated on 9,000 acres, San Pasqual Valley is located in Northern San Diego County. The soils in San Pasqual are granite based and well draining. The climate in the valley is desert like with hot days and long exposure to sunlight. The Pacific Ocean sends cooling winds down the valley in the evening and extends the growing season. The region is known for its production of Merlot, Sangiovese, Syrah, and Viognier.

January 18th - This Date in Wine History

/

Hermann Müller

Wine has a long established history of being our drink of choice for celebrating, entertaining, and savoring life; but it didn't start out that way. From the invention of the barrel to the designation of the separate viticultural areas, wine has a long and sorted history.  In our daily feature This Date In Wine History, we share an event of critical importance in wine history.

  • Hermann Müller, a Swiss botanist and oenologist created the Müller-Thurgau varietal in 1882 died in 1927.
  • Oregon's McMinnville AVA was designated in 2005.

McDowell Valley - Wine Region of the Day

/

McDowell Valley by David Toomey for Qorkz.

The McDowell Valley AVA is located on 540 acres in southeastern Mendocino County, California. The appellation consists of sloped bench land at elevations as high as 1,000 feet that overlook the Russian River to the west. McDowell Valley is colder than the surrounding areas of Mendocino County. Currently there are no wineries operating in the AVA. Poor Ranch still has a vineyard block in McDowell Valley but they generally label their wines as Mendocino.  Sadly, another ghost AVA.