December 4th - This Date in Wine History

/
Gilbert_Stuart_Williamstown_Portrait_of_George_Washington.jpg

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.

  • Nicholas Breakspear was declared #Pope #AdrianIV in 1154.  His #papacy would end five years later when he #choked on a #fly in his #wine

  • U.S. Gen. George Washington held a dinner to bid farewell to his officers in 1783.  He toasted them with the words,  "[w]ith a heart full of love and gratitude, I now take leave of you. I most devoutly wish that your latter days may be as prosperous and happy as your former ones have been glorious and honorable." As he later asked to take each one of his officers by the hand for a personal word.

  • California's McDowell Valley AVA was designated in 1981.

  • California's Santa Cruz Mountains AVA was designated in 1981.

  • California's Sonoma Valley AVA was designated in 1981.

  • Falcon Crest, an American primetime television soap opera about an American winemaking family debuted 1981.

  • Happy Cabernet Franc Day!

December 4th - This Date in Wine History

/
Washington's_Farewell_by_Alonzo_Chappel_1866 (1).jpg

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.

  • Nicholas Breakspear was declared Pope Adrian IV in 1154.  His papacy would end five years later when he choked on a fly in his wine
  • U.S. Gen. George Washington held a dinner to bid farewell to his officers in 1783.  He toasted them with the words,  "[w]ith a heart full of love and gratitude, I now take leave of you. I most devoutly wish that your latter days may be as prosperous and happy as your former ones have been glorious and honorable." As he later asked to take each one of his officers by the hand for a personal word.
  • California's McDowell Valley AVA was designated in 1981.
  • California's Santa Cruz Mountains AVA was designated in 1981.
  • California's Sonoma Valley AVA was designated in 1981.
  • Falcon Crest, an American primetime television soap opera about an American winemaking family debuted 1981.
  • Happy Cabernet Franc Day!

McDowell Valley - Wine Region of the Day

/
McDowell Valley

The McDowell Valley AVA is located on 540 acres in southeastern Mendocino County, California. The appellation was designated in 1981 and amended in 1987.  The region 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.

Mendocino - Wine Region of the Day

/

Mendocino received its designation as an AVA in 1984. Situated on 3,878 square miles, Mendocino contains sub-appellations Anderson Valley, Cole Ranch, Covelo, Dos Rios, Eagle Peak Mendocino County, McDowell Valley, Mendocino Ridge, Potter Valley, Redwood Valley, and the Yorkville Highlands. Given Mendocino's large size, the region features many micro-climates and soil types spread throughout the sub-appellations. Mendocino is committed to growing organic vines and is the nation's leader in producing non-GMO wines.

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.

McDowell Valley - Wine Region Of The Day

/

McDowell Valley 

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. There is currently only one winery operating within the boundaries of the AVA, McDowell Valley Vineyards.