Sonoma Valley History (Back to overview)
The history of wine in Sonoma Vally began in 1823 when a Franciscan Padre named Jose Altimira established the Sonoma Mission. This was the last, and northernmost Spanish Mission built in California. Altimira planted vineyards and made simple wines for ecclesiastical use.
The History of Sonoma Valley Grape Growing
In 1835, Mexico gained independence from Spain. General Vallejo was sent by the new government to secularize the Sonoma Mission and its surrounding properties. The Bear Flag Revolt occurred 11 years later and authority shifted to the United States Government shortly thereafter.
The 1846 Bear Flag Revolt occurred in the town of Sonoma. It was a peripheral conflict in the Mexican-American War (1845-1848). This event was the beginning of the end of the Mexican era in California. Contrary to popular belief, the Bear Flag Revolt did not immediately Americanize Sonoma County. Mexico did not cede California to the U.S. until their 1848 defeat in the Mexican-American War.
In the same year, James Marshall discovered gold at Sutter’s Mill on the American River. The surge of incoming Americans seeking their fortune changed the demographics of Northern California immensely. Most of the participants in the Bear Flag Revolt did not maintain any power or even a presence near their uprising. Instead, they moved to the Sierra Foothills to look for gold placer.
Around this time, Senator George Hearst planted Madrone Vineyards with imported cuttings from Bordeaux. Senator Hearst made a fortune in the mining industry and was the father of William Randolph Hearst. It is generally agreed that he was the first person to widely plant Cabernet Sauvignon in Sonoma County.
In 1857, Count Agoston Haraszthy established Buena Vista Winery. Haraszthy experimented with different Vitis vinifera varietals and greatly increased the perception of the valley as a winemaking region. Although Haraszthy ultimately went bankrupt, he laid the foundation for the future. Because of his contributions, Haraszthy is known as the, “Father of the California Wine Industry.”
Phylloxera and Prohibition eliminated all but the most hearty and innovative local wineries. Sebastiani Vineyards was able to persevere due to a contract to produce wine for the Church. However, most vineyards were either converted to other crops or eradicated to make room for livestock.
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