When we hear the name 'Wine Country' we automatically think of Napa, Sonoma, and Mendocino. Wine grape growing and cultivation (viticulture) began in the 18th century approximately in 1769 when a Franciscan missionary, Father Junipero Serra. Viticulture began and soon spread throughout California with the establishment of successive Spanish missions traveling to the north along the coast. California's first wines were produced for sacramental purposes as well as for daily use. In the1800s early pioneering winemakers established new vineyards with European cuttings transplanted first in Southern California.

About the time of the Gold Rush in 1849, Northern California, above San Francisco, began the winemaking industry. With the completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869, California wines began to reach the east coast as well as Europe and received recognition after more than half their wines that were submitted, won gold medals in the Parisian Exposition of 1890.

All good things must come to an end, at least briefly. After surviving an infestation of phylloxera Prohibition banned the production and sales of alcohol from 1919 to 1933 when Prohibition was repealed and California's vineyards began production once again.

Napa to some, may be the best known name in Wine Country for wine production but Franciscan Fathers planted the first wine grapes in Sonoma County and California wine making history began.