December 20th - This Date in Wine History

iStock-542329970_Sangria.jpg

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.

  • Pieter de Hooch, a Dutch painter was born in 1629.  He is known for “A Woman Drinking with Two Men” and “A Woman and Two Men in an Arbor”.

  • The California Agricultural Experiment Station reports that in 1887, the Mataro (Carignan) grapes from Margherita Vineyard in Fresno had produced wine that was  “decidedly acutefied”.  The wine was racked and pasteurized the next day.

  • Wine of Youth, a silent comedy-drama directed by King Vidor and released by MGM was released in 1924 

  • The Régnié AOC was created in 1988

  • California's Capay Valley AVA was designated in 2002

  • Happy Sangria Day!

December 20th - This Date in Wine History

A_Woman_and_Two_Men_in_an_Arbor_MET_DP143213_Peter de Hooch.jpg

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.

  • Pieter de Hooch, a Dutch painter was born in 1629.  He is known for “A Woman Drinking with Two Men” and “A Woman and Two Men in an Arbor”.
  • The California Agricultural Experiment Station reports that in 1887, the Mataro (Carignan) grapes from Margherita Vineyard in Fresno had produced wine that was  “decidedly acutefied”.  The wine was racked and pasteurized the next day.
  • Wine of Youth, a silent comedy-drama directed by King Vidor and released by MGM was released in 1924.
  • The Régnié AOC was created in 1988.
  • California's Capay Valley AVA was designated in 2002.
  • Happy Sangria Day!

Capay Valley - Wine Region of the Day

Capay Valley by David Toomey for Qorkz.


Capay Valley received its designation as an AVA in 2002. Situated across 102,400 acres, the region is neighbors with Napa County and is centered on the Capay Valley in Yolo County. The terrain of Capay Valley consists of rolling hills and valley floor where the soils contain river rock and volcanic ash deposits. The climate in Capay Valley features warm days and cool nights. The mountainous terrain captures daytime heat in the valley but has cooling effects in the evenings. The warm climate leads to a short growing season and robust yields. Capay Valley produces many different varietals including Cabernet Franc, Cabernet SauvignonSyrah, Mourvedre, Tempranillo, and Viognier.

December 20th - This Date in Wine History

Film poster from the Wine of Youth from 1924


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.


  • Wine of Youth, a silent comedy-drama directed by King Vidor and released by MGM was released in 1924. 
  • The Régnié AOC was created in 1988.
  • California's Capay Valley AVA was designated in 2002.