February 22nd - This Date in Wine History

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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. 

  • Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki, known as Rashi, was born in 1040 in Troyes, France.  The son of a poor winemaker, legend says that his father was visited by the prophet Elijah after throwing a precious jewel into the sea and was told he would have a son “who would illuminate the world with his Torah knowledge”.
  • George Washington was born in 1732.  He was a member of the Virginia’s House of Burgesses from 1758-1765.  He plied the voters with 170 gallons of rice punch, beer, wine, hard cider and brandy.
  • According to a rule passed in 1792 of the St. Dunstan's Club in London, Any member elected to the position within the club was required to buy a bottle of Port for the other members to share.
  • Actor Kyle MacLachlan was born in 1959.  He owns Pursued by Bear Wine in Columbia Valley.
  • Drew Barrymore was born in 1975.  She is a partner in the Carmel Road Winery.