California Wines Grape by Grape

Californian Grape by Grape

When the Franciscan monks founded missions and forts in California in the 18th century, they brought in the non-native vines, Listán Prieto. The grape was planted at each new mission and became known simply as the “Mission” grape. In 1831, French Jean-Louis Vignes built California’s first commercial vineyard and start planting European grape varieties, Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. After 40 years of cultivation, California wine industry was sadly struck by Phylloxera (1872) and Prohibition (1919-1933). However, California winemakers quickly recovered the vineyards and focused on single varietal wines. Their hard works were rewarded by extraordinary results in the famous Paris Tasting (1976).

Today, California is considered as one of the most important producer of fine wines.

In this session, Anty will go through Californian wine industry, geology, and the six most important grape varieties in California to discuss about their growing regions, characteristics and styles.

• Sauvignon Blanc
• Chardonnay
• Pinot Noir
• Zinfandel
• Merlot
• Syrah

In this workshop and Cali Cabs – Cabernet Sauvignons of California, you will learn about:

• Which soil types can help produce crisp and acidic wines?
• Why vineyards on steep slopes are more likely to produce more concentrated grapes?
• What are the characteristics of cool and warm climate wines?
• How the aspects of vineyards can affect grape growing conditions?

Identify the flavour profile of California wine grapes glass by glass.

Capstone California Certificate Course Level 1:

Join also Cali Cabs – Cabernet Sauvignons of California. After completion of all the sessions, you will gain access to the online content for Capstone California Level 1 with an additional fee of just HK$400.

Ms. Anty Fung

A DipWSET, Certified Sommelier and Certified Specialist of Wine, Anty currently divides her time between managing Hip Cellar, a professional wine storage and a wine-and-dine concept AnOther Place, developing profile variety for the online wine trading platform WWXplorer and teaching WSET courses at MWM Wine School by Debra Meiburg MW. Anty has diversified her global understanding of wine and food and beverage management with professional exposure in Hong Kong, Las Vegas and Maldives.