December 4th - 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.

• 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

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!

Sonoma Valley - Wine Region of the Day

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Sonoma Valley received its designation as an AVA in 1987. Situated across 60,065 acres, Sonoma Valley includes sub-appellations Bennett Valley, Los Carneros, Sonoma Mountain, and Moon Mountain District Sonoma County. The Sonoma Mountain protects Sonoma Valley from the wet and cool influence of the nearby Pacific Ocean. The Sonoma Mountains to the west help protect the valley from excessive rainfall. The cool air that does affect the region flows northward up from San Pablo Bay through the Los Carneros region.

Sonoma Coast - Wine Region of the Day

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Sonoma Coast received its designation as an AVA in 1987. Situated across 500,000 acres that stretch from San Pablo Bay to the south and Mendocino to the north, Sonoma Coast is home to multiple sub-appellations Chalk Hill, Green Valley of Russian River Valley, Los Carneros, Northern Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Fort Ross-Seaview and Sonoma Valley. The appellation is known for its cool climate and high rainfall relative to other parts of Sonoma County. The area has a broad range of soil types and microclimates across its various sub-appellations.  As a result, a wide variety of grapes are grown in Sonoma Coast.  Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are predominant but you also find Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gewurztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel among others.