In the 1770s, Spanish missionaries continued the practice under the direction of the Father Junípero Serra who planted California's first vineyard at Mission San Juan Capistrano.

[8] The result caused a 'shock' in viticulture industry since France was regarded as foremost producer of the world's finest table wines.

[10][11] California has more than 4,200 wineries ranging from home-grown and small boutiques to large corporations with international distribution, and even more vineyards and growers, at close to 6,000.

[13] The state of California was first introduced to Vitis vinifera vines, a species of wine grapes native to the Mediterranean region, in the 18th century by the Spanish missionaries, who planted vineyards with each mission they established.

Cuttings from the vine of the "common black grape" (as it was known) brought to the New World by Hernán Cortés in 1520 were used to start the vineyards of Mexico.

[10] The California Gold Rush in the mid-19th century brought waves of new settlers to the region, increasing the population and local demand for wine.

Chinese immigrants played a prominent role in developing the Californian wine industry during this period - building wineries, planting vineyards, digging the underground cellars and harvesting grapes.

[10] The late 19th century also saw the advent of the phylloxera epidemic, a type of parasite similar to aphids, which had already ravaged France and other European vineyards.

The remedy of grafting resistant American rootstock was well known, and the Californian wine industry was able to rebound quickly, utilizing the opportunity to expand the plantings of new grape varieties.

A few more were able to stay in operation to continue to provide churches sacramental wine, an allowed exception to the Prohibition laws.

[8] George Taber, the sole journalist who attended the event, penned the article "Judgment of Paris" in Time magazine reporting the shocking results when the local judges ranked the California vintages higher than the primer French labels in both Chardonnay (white) and Cabernet Sauvignon (red) categories.

As Jim Barrett, general manager/part owner of Chateau Montelena whose 1973 Chardonnay ranked the highest, said: "Not bad for kids from the sticks.

[18] California wine export volume has shown impressive growth and demonstrating increased popularity in a highly competitive global market.

"[19] Demand for U.S. wine began to flatten in 2018 but COVID-19 pandemic distorted sales and shipments as consumers temporarily bought more.

To curb the threat of frost, vineyard owners will often employ the use of wind machines, sprinklers and smudge pots to protect the vines.

Proximity to the Pacific and unobstructed access to the coastal wind and fog dictates the relative coolness of a wine region.

[23] Areas surrounded by mountain barriers, like some parts of Sonoma and Napa counties will be warmer due to the lack of this cooling influence.

The profile of Californian Pinot noir generally takes on a more intense, fruity style than the subtler, more elegant wines of Burgundy or Oregon.

The Korbel brothers made sparkling wine according to the méthode champenoise from Riesling, Chasselas, Muscatel and Traminer.

Despite being made with mostly the same grapes and with the same production techniques, California sparkling wines do not set out to be imitators of Champagne but rather to forge their own distinctive style.

Though unlike in Sauternes, Beringer's wine was made of grapes regularly harvested and then introduced at the winery to Botrytis cinerea spores created in a laboratory.

Since then California winemakers in places like the Anderson Valley AVA have found vineyards where this noble rot can occur naturally on the grapes.

Several French and Italian style Muscat wines are produced throughout California and are known for their intense aromatics and balanced acidity.