California Vines, Wines and Pioneers

Grab your glass and take to the wine trail withfood genealogist Sherry Monahan as she traces the roots of California’s Vines, Wines & Pioneers. Whilecowboys and early settlers were writing the oft-told history of the Wild West,California’s wine pioneers were cultivating a delicious industry. The storybegins when Franciscan missionaries planted the first grapes in SouthernCalifornia in 1769. Almost a century later, news of gold drew thirstyprospectors and European immigrants to California’s promise of wealth. From OldWorld vines sprang a robust and varied tradition of wine cultivation thatovercame threats of pests and Prohibition to win global prestige. Journey withMonahan as she uncorks this vintage history and savors the stories of California'shistoric wineries and vineyards.