May 23rd - 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.

  • Antony Oliver disguised as a wine merchant with his merchandise (but really arms for soldiers) drove into the Citadel of Antwerp under the nose of Louis of Nassau in 1572.
  • South Carolina ratifies the US Constitution in 1788 as the 8th American state.  South Carolina is home to more than 30 wineries.
  • Hungarian painter József Rippl-Rónai was born in 1861.  He is known for the work, “My Father and Uncle Piacsek with Red Wine”.
  • The John Ellwanger Co. of Dubuque, Iowa received a trademark for its San Felice wines in 1905.
  • Racing legend Frank Arciero died in 2010.  He was owner of Arciero Family Vineyards and EOS Estate Winery  in Paso Robles.