Welcome to September! And welcome to California Wine Month!
Throughout the month, while the kids dig into their school books, we can sit down after a long day at work with a glass of California wine, relax, and reflect on how fortunate we are to live in a country where there are places that have climates ideal for growing perfectly ripened winegrapes and making world-class wines.
Places like… California.
Did you know that…
- Although wine is now made in all 50 U.S. states, about 90 percent of all American wine is made in California?
- More than 100 varieties of winegrapes are grown in California?
- If you’re into art, you should head to a California winery? More than 100 of them have art galleries (the one at The Hess Collection) in Napa Valley is a personal favorite) or ongoing/rotating art displays?
- More than 50 wineries present music or theater programs? Three you should not miss are Thornton Winery in Temecula, Vina Robles in Paso Robles and The Mountain Winery in Saratoga. In the accompanying photo, that’s Peter White on guitar and Euge Groove on sax, performing earlier this year at Thornton.
- Only Italy, France and Spain make more wine than California?
- More than 525,000 acres are planted to winegrapes in California?
- It’s believed winegrapes were first planted in California by Father Junipero Serra at Mission San Diego de Alcala. The Mission grape variety planted there was used to make wine for the church.
- There are more than 2,800 wineries, and approximately 4,600 growers, in the Golden State?
- There are only 10 counties in California where winegrapes are not grown? Four dozen counties have at least some vineyard land.
We’ll have more on California Wine Month as September unfolds. Meanwhile, plan to enjoy a glass of California wine tonight!
