Author: Libbie Agran

The history of California and San Luis Obispo County’s wine in the 1800s.

Native American landscapes have been described in detail in the early correspondence and diaries of explorers, travelers, and traders who traveled to Alta California and the Pacific Coast as early as 1518. Their writings note that the landscape was often shaped by burning foliage but the traditional agricultural practices of tiling the soil, weeding, pruning, irrigating, sowing seeds, and selective harvesting were also used by Native Americans.

Early Explorers, the Missions Era, and the Mexican Period.

California viticultural history is unique in its origins, distinct from all other areas of the United States. California viticulture originated with the Spanish Crown seeking new lands to conquer and sending explorers to map and explore the Pacific Coast on land and sea.