May 30, 2025 | california dreaming

California Dreaming

California dominates domestic wine production, with the Golden State being credited with roughly 80% of wine production in the United States. But how did we get here? It's a tale of trials, tribulations, and eventual triumphs. Intrigued? Let's dive in.

Spanish Franciscan missionaries arrived in California in the late 18th century, establishing vineyards to produce wines for communion (they also planted palm trees so there would be palm fronds for Palm Sunday). The first variety planted became, appropriately, known as Mission. Although initially wine production was centralized in Southern California, the Gold Rush brought an influx of folks to Northern California and the demand for wine skyrocketed with the rising population. By the 1900s, the wines of California were being exported to the far away lands of Australia, Central America, England, and even Asia. However, the booming business came to a record-scratching halt with the ratification of the 18th Amendment which declared the sale of alcohol illegal. Craftily, people exploited a loophole that allowed each home to make 200-gallons of "non-intoxicating" cider and fruit juice per year, creating amateur winemakers who increased the demand for fresh grapes. Cue growers ripping up "fine wine" varietals and opting for lower quality varietals better suited to shipping in bulk quantities. By the time of repeal, Prohibition had decimated the wine industry, with production dropping a whopping 94% from 1919 through 1925. To put it plainly, fewer than 100 commercial wineries survived. It would take more than half a century for the industry to rebound.

So let's boogie into the 1970s, when an astonishing event occurred. On May 24th, 1976, California producers entered their wines into a blind-tasting competition, comparing California wines to their French counterparts. The exclusively French judging panel were unanimous in their praise - California reigned supreme! Henceforth, we would refer to this event as the Judgment of Paris, with Time Magazine amplifying the results and sending the demand for California wine into the stratosphere.

And now here we are today! Despite challenges, wine production in California continues to be innovative, experimental, and undeterred. Let's explore, one sip at a time.

Read on to learn more about what we're sampling, then stop by on Friday from 4-7 to try them yourself!

Lo-Fi Chenin Blanc Santa Barbara County 2024

Matthiasson Rosé California 2024

Broc Cellars 'The Perfect Red' California 2023