History

Sonoma County Wine, Est. 1812

A Timeline of Sonoma County

Sonoma County could not have become the wine region we know and love today without the pioneers that started it all. Russian colonists planted grapes on the coast of Sonoma County in 1812, and history is continually being made by innovative vintners.

1812
Russian Colonists planted grapes at Fort Ross (Sonoma Coast.)
1823
Spanish Franciscan Father Jose Altamira (Sonoma Mission) planted several thousand vines.
1834
Political upheaval brought an appropriation of all missions by the Mexican government. During this period, cuttings from Sonoma Mission vineyards were transported and planted throughout northern California.
1845
Bear Flag Revolt in Sonoma; California becomes independent.
1856
Cyrus Alexander plants grapes in northern Sonoma County.
1857
The Hungarian Count Agoston Haraszthy “The Father of California Wine Industry” founded Buena Vista winery in Sonoma Valley.
1873
Worldwide outbreak of phylloxera destroys vineyards.

1920
There were 256 wineries. With more than 22,000 acres (8,900 ha) in production, Sonoma County had surpassed Los Angeles.
1920 - 1933
18th Amendment launches Prohibition. Home winemaking booms. 200 gallons (757 liters) per household are allowed. California produces 150 million gallons (567 million liters) of home wine. Acreage grows to over 30,000 acres (12,000 ha) in grape production.
1933
By the time Prohibition is repealed, only 160 of California’s 700 wineries remained. Less than 50 wineries in Sonoma County survive.
1933 - 1945
WWII prevented importing of French wines, which helped Sonoma County wineries to slowly build and revive; much of new production went into bulk wines.
1945 - 1955
Post war grape and wine overproduction showed things down, and pro-ration programs were instituted by the government to deal with the glut. Sonoma County pioneers worked through this to rebuild their wine and grape businesses.

Hanzell Vineyards planted the first Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the region between 1953 and 1954.

1960’s
As the 1960s redefined so many facets of American life, the decade made its mark on the Sonoma County wine industry. Americans developed a taste for wine and demand began to grow.
1970
A second generation of wineries are started, following a nationwide wine boom. Consumption grows at a 40% rate.
1975
Wine labels are regulated and appellations begin to be important in marketing Sonoma County’s wines. Planted acreage returns toward 1920s levels of 24,000 acres (9,700 ha.)
1976
A seminal event in bringing California wines to international consciousness, the Paris tasting pitted California wines against French offerings. Napa Valley wineries took the top prizes in both white wine (a 1973 Chateau Montelena chardonnay) and red wine (a 1973 Stags Leap Wine Cellars cabernet).

In 1976 wine lovers rarely discussed grape growing when considering wine; winery names were what mattered. This was no doubt why few knew that 20 tons (nearly half) of the chardonnay fruit for the Chateau Montelena chardonnay came from Sonoma County vineyards. Bacigalupi Vineyards provided 14 tons.
1980’s
Sonoma County made the transition from being known as a producer dairy, grain and fruit crops with grapes in fourth position. By 1989 grapes were Sonoma County’s top revenue-generating agricultural crop. Technological advances in winemaking improved wines to meet the more discerning tastes of consumers.
1999
There are over 49,000 acres (19,800 ha) of vineyards owned by more than 750 growers and 180 bonded wineries in Sonoma County.
Today
Sonoma County has 17 unique AVAs and more than 60 grape varieties are planted here. It is estimated that the wine industry and related tourism contributes over $11 billion to the local economy each year, about 40% of the county’s contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

WINE FACTS

Did You Know?

6%

of the land is planted to vineyards

3 years

from vineyard planting to first crop

60+

grape varieties grown in Sonoma County

255,635

tons of grapes harvested in 2014

500 – 2,000

vines planted per acre

1.5-7 tons

of grapes produced per acre

295

bottles of wine in a barrel

30

pounds of grapes per case of wine

2.4

pounds of grapes in one bottle of wine

History

A Timeline of Sonoma County

1812

1823

1834

1845

1856

1857

1873

1920

1920 - 1933

1933

1933 - 1945

1945 - 1955

1960’s

1970

1975

1976

1980’s

1999

Today

WINE FACTS

6%

3 years

60+

255,635

500 – 2,000

1.5-7 tons

295

30

2.4

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Sonoma County Vintners

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