January 29th - This Date in Wine History

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Albert_Gallatin_(by_Gilbert_Stuart).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.

  • Abraham Alfonse Albert Gallatin a Swiss American politician and diplomat and a member of Thomas Jefferson’s cabinet.  He was also owner of Friendship Hill in Western Pennsylvania where Gallatin operated a glassworks, gun factory, sawmilll, gristmilll, winery, distillery and boat yard.

  • 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 29th - This Date in Wine History

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2560px-Friendship_Hill_near_New_Geneva,_Penna.,_on_Route_No._168_(68769).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.

  • Abraham Alfonse Albert Gallatin a Swiss American politician and diplomat and a member of Thomas Jefferson’s cabinet.  He was also owner of Friendship Hill in Western Pennsylvania where Gallatin operated a glassworks, gun factory, sawmilll, gristmilll, winery, distillery and boat yard.
  • 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.

Central Coast - Wine Region of the Day

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Central Coast

The Central Coast was designated as an AVA in 1985. Situated across 280 miles from San Francisco to Santa Barbara, the Central Coast is home to sub-appellations Arroyo Grande Valley, Arroyo Seco, Ballard Canyon, Ben Lomond Mountain, Carmel Valley, Chalone, Cienega Valley, Edna Valley, Hames Valley, Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara, Lime Kiln Valley, Livermore Valley, Monterey, Mt. Harlan, Pacheco Pass, Paicines, Paso Robles, San Antonio Valley, San Benito, San Bernabe, San Francisco Bay, San Lucas, San Ysidro District, Santa Clara Valley, Santa Cruz Mountains, Santa Lucia Highlands, Santa Maria Valley, Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Ynez Valley, and York Mountain. The Central Coast is so vast that it features a variety of soil types and microclimates across its sub-appellations. The most common vines planted across the Central Coast are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc.

January 29th - This Date in Wine History

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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.

San Lucas - Wine Region of the Day

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San Lucas wine region by David Toomey for Qorkz.

San Lucas received its designation as an AVA in 1987. Sitting on 33,920 acres, the region is a sub-appellation of Monterey. The soil of the region is shale and loam, situated on benches and terraces between 200 and 1,200 feet. San Lucas has one of the largest diurnal temperature swings in all of California, with thirty-degree fluctuations being common. The change in temperature makes for a longer growing season and gives the fruit extra time on the vine to ripen and balance its acidity. San Lucas is known for producing excellent Cabernet Sauvignon, along with Merlot, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

Monterey - Wine Region of the Day

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Photo of Monterey by David Toomey for Qorkz.

The Monterey region received its AVA designation in 1984. Monterey is a larger region and contains the sub-appelations of Arroyo Seco, Hames Valley, San Bernabe, San Lucas, and the Santa Lucia Highlands. The region covers over 100 miles and spans from Monterey Bay to Paso Robles. The majority of the production in Monterey is Chardonnay, but Pinot Noir Merlot, and Riesling are also produced here.

Monterey - Wine Region of the Day

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MONTEREY

 Monterey viticultural area by David Toomey for Qorkz

The Monterey region received its AVA designation in 1984. Monterey is a larger region and contains the sub-appelations of Arroyo Seco, Hames Valley, San Bernabe, San Lucas, and the Santa Lucia Highlands. The region covers over 100 miles and spans from Monterey Bay to Paso Robles. The majority of the production in Monterey is Chardonnay, but Pinot Noir Merlot, and Riesling are also produced here.

San Lucas - Wine Region Of The Day

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San Lucas

San Lucas received its designation as an AVA in 1987. Sitting on 33,920 acres, the region is a sub-appellation of Monterey. The soil of the region is shale and loam, situated on benches and terraces between 200 and 1,200 feet. San Lucas has one of the largest diurnal temperature swings in all of California, with thirty-degree fluctuations being common. The change in temperature makes for a longer growing season and gives the fruit extra time on the vine to ripen and balance its acidity. San Lucas is known for producing excellent Cabernet Sauvignon, along with Merlot, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.