November 15th - This Date in Wine History

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Foto-Centenario-Beato-Giovanni-Foto-a-colori-721x1024.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.

  • Blessed Giovanni Liccio died in 1511.  It is also his feast day.  He was known for his long life (111 years) and for being a miracle worker.  He was specifically known for being able to double the amount of bread and wine available.

  • James Mayer de Rothschild died in 1868.  He was the founder of the French branch of the Rothschild family.  He is known for banking and for purchasing the Château Lafite Rothschild.

  • Earl Stevens, a rapper who uses the name E-40 was born in 1967.  He is also owner of Earl Stevens Selections.

  • The Campidano di Terralba DOC was created in 1975.

  • California's Mt. Harlan AVA and San Ysidro District AVA were designated in 1990.

  • Spain's Valle de la Orotava DO was established in 1995.

  • Happy Beaujolais Nouveau Day.

November 15th - This Date in Wine History

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James_de_Rothschild.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.

  • James Mayer de Rothschild died in 1868.  He was the founder of the French branch of the Rothschild family.  He is known for banking and for purchasing the Château Lafite Rothschild.
  • The Campidano di Terralba DOC was created in 1975.
  • California's Mt. Harlan AVA and San Ysidro District AVA were designated in 1990.
  • Spain's Valle de la Orotava DO was established in 1995.

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.

San Ysidro District - Wine Region of the Day

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San Ysidro District

The San Ysidro District received its designation as an AVA in 1990. Sitting on 2,340 acres in the foothills of the Diablo Mountain Range, the region is located in Santa Clara County. The soil in San Ysidro is made up of sandy loam and clay and is known for its good drainage. The region receives day long sunshine with daily temperatures often above 90 degrees during peak growing season. The valley is cooled in the evenings by maritime winds that blow through the Pajaro River Gap connecting Santa Clara to Monterey. There are no wineries operating in the San Ysidro District, but the region features vineyards that supply Santa Clara Valley producers with fruit. The region mostly produces Chardonnay and Merlot.

Santa Clara Valley - Wine Region of the Day

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Santa Clara Valley received its designation as an AVA in 1989. Situated over 332,800 acres, Santa Clara Valley is a larger AVA containing sub-appellations San Ysidro and Pacheco Pass. The soil in the area is made up of gravelly loam, clay, and sandstone. The climate in Santa Clara Valley is moderate to warm with daily temperatures in the high 80s during the peak of growing season. Winds blow in and cool the valley from the San Francisco Bay to the north and the Pacific Ocean via Monterey to the south. The region is known for Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot.

San Francisco Bay - Wine Region of the Day

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The San Francisco Bay received its AVA designation in 1999. Sitting on over 1,566,713 acres, San Francisco Bay is a large AVA containing the sub-appellations of Livermore Valley, Pacheco Pass, San Ysidro District, and Santa Clara Valley. A small number of wineries are located in and around the San Francisco Bay, including on Treasure Island and the Former Alameda Naval Air Station. Due to its size, there are multiple temperature zones contained within the AVA, ranging from cold, windy, and foggy, to hot and sunny. The region is known for producing Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Grenache, Mourvedre, Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Syrah, and Zinfandel.

November 15th - This Date in Wine History

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Map of the San Ysidro District viticultural area 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 Campidano di Terralba DOC was created in 1975

  • California's Mt. Harlan AVA and San Ysidro District AVA were designated in 1990

  • Spain's Valle de la Orotava DO was established in 1995