| California has a long and rich history of wine making. | | | | During the 1890s, most of the European vines were |
| The wine industry marked its beginning in 1769, when | | | | destroyed due to the attack of |
| the first grape vines were planted at Mission San | | | | Phylloxera - a destructive root louse. The attempts |
| Diego, by the Franciscan missionary Father Junipero | | | | taken to eradicate the pest were mostly |
| Serra. This black-skinned grape variety, which was | | | | unsuccessful. Finally, Thomas V. Munson - who was |
| called Mission grape, played a significant role in | | | | regarded as the "father of Texas viticulture" - |
| California wine production until 1880. | | | | fostered the idea of grafting European wine vines |
| In 1833, the first documented imported European | | | | onto American rootstocks. |
| wine vine of California was planted in Los Angeles by | | | | California wine industry faced a major decline due to |
| a French winemaker Jean-Louis Vignes. Later in the | | | | National Prohibition (1920 - 1933). The major portion |
| 1850s and '60s, Agoston Harazsthy - a Hungarian | | | | of the industry, which initially had up to 713 bonded |
| soldier and merchant - imported original vine cuttings | | | | wineries, was wiped out during the prohibition. By the |
| from around 165 European vineyards. Altogether, he | | | | end of 1933, California wine industry managed to |
| introduced 300 different grape varietals in California. | | | | revive gradually. The common grape varieties of the |
| Harazsthy made the most outstanding contribution to | | | | time were Thompson seedless, Emperor, and Flame |
| the development of the wine industry, which made | | | | Tokay. |
| him known as the "founder of California Wine | | | | Today, the California wine industry is one among the |
| Industry." He founded the Buena Vista Winery, which | | | | finest in the world. It contributes to around 90% of |
| can still be seen at Sonoma. Great efforts were | | | | total U.S. wine production. The industry boasts |
| made in promoting vine planting throughout North | | | | approximately 2,445 wineries, which produce more |
| California. Moreover, he introduced the idea of | | | | than 500 million gallons of wines every year. |
| non-irrigated vineyards and also constructed many | | | | Chardonnay is the largest grown variety, followed by |
| caves for wine cellaring. | | | | Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and White Zinfandel. |