January 4th - This Date in Wine History

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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. 

  • Johann Menge, originally of Steinau, Germany, explored Australia's Barossa Valley and extolled its potential for viticulture was born in 1788.  He is also thought to have discovered the first opal in Australia.
  • Thomas Jefferson wrote to John F. Oliveira Fernandes, a physician and merchant from Norfolk, Virginia in 1805 regarding an order of Portuguese wine.
  • California's Arroyo Grande Valley AVA was designated in 1990.

Central Coast - Wine Region of the Day

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 ValleyArroyo SecoBallard CanyonBen Lomond MountainCarmel ValleyChaloneCienega ValleyEdna ValleyHames ValleyHappy Canyon of Santa BarbaraLime Kiln ValleyLivermore ValleyMontereyMt. HarlanPacheco PassPaicinesPaso RoblesSan Antonio ValleySan BenitoSan BernabeSan Francisco BaySan LucasSan Ysidro DistrictSanta Clara ValleySanta Cruz MountainsSanta Lucia HighlandsSanta Maria ValleySta. Rita HillsSanta 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 ChardonnayPinot NoirCabernet SauvignonZinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc.

Arroyo Grande Valley - Wine Region of the Day

Photo of Arroyo Grande Valley by David Toomey for Qorkz.


Located in the southeastern portion of San Luis Obispo county, the Arroyo Grande Valley is a study in opposites.  The land is largely made of marine sediments that are part of the Franciscan formation but is crisscrossed with volcanic intrusions and faults.  The weather is largely warm and dry but marked with a fog line that separates cooler and wetter microclimates from those that are warmer and drier.  Naturally this carries over into their wine making, with part of the valley producing Bordeaux and Mediterranean varietals being produced at the far end of the valley and Pinot Noir,  Chardonnay and Riesling

January 4th - This Date in Wine History

Australian Opal


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.


  • Johann Menge, who explored Australia's Barossa Valley and extolled its potential for viticulture was born in 1788.  He is also thought to have discovered the first opal in Australia.
  • California's Arroyo Grande Valley AVA was designated in 1990.