Before There Was Napa and Sonoma Wine

Napa and Sonoma are synonymous with California Wine Country. Before either of these was a twinkle in a winemaker's eye there were vineyards at the California Missions and then there was the Los Angeles wine country. The what?

 

"The First Vine" at Mission San Gabriel in Los Angeles County
said to have been planted in 1774

In the 18th century, a string of Spanish missions was built up the coast of Alta California. Most missions planted grapes of Spanish origin, known as mission grapes, to make sacramental wine. The missions ran from San Diego to the town of Sonoma. Mission San Gabriel, situated between present-day downtown L.A. and Pasadena, had the largest vineyard of all the missions.

In 1822, after their war for independence from the Spanish, the Mexicans took over Alta California. Rather than everything belonging to the church, they broke up the land into ranchos that were sold to private individuals.

By 1850 there were over 100 vineyards in the L.A. area. It was known as "the city of vines." During the time of the Gold Rush and population growth in Northern California, a lot of wine was shipped up to take care of the thirsty newcomers and business boomed. Through the next few decades disease, Prohibition and urbanization ended the reign of the L.A. wine country. Before the train came to town in 1875 L.A. had 5,000 people. Now, L.A. County is home to almost 10 million, more than most states, so not much room left for vineyards.

Drawing of El Aliso winery, owned by a French immigrant
near L.A.'s present day downtown Union Station

Today, there are a handful of wineries in the L.A. area. Los Angeles County has about 200 acres of wine grapes planted. By comparison, Sonoma County has about 60,000 acres, Napa 45,000.