Time line for wine history
How Wine Colonized The World
The story of wine is deeply intertwined with the story of all of recorded human history. Wine grapes have taken root in every continent except Antarctica.
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The Oldest Winery Is Founded In Ancient Armenia. The oldest winery is founded in ancient Armenia. The site was discovered in 2007 by UCLA researchers.
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| The Ptolemy world map is a map of the known world to Hellenistic society in the 2nd century CE. |
3100 B.C.
The Pharaohs Rise To Power In Egypt
The pharaohs rise to power in Egypt. They begin making a wine-like substance from red grapes and, due to its resemblance to blood, use it in ceremonies. During this time, the Egyptians come in contact with Jews as well as the Phoenicians. It would be the Phoenicians who would cultivate the wine and begin to spread it around the world.
1700 B.C.
Wine Was Drank At Least 3,700 Years Ago In Northern-Israel
Archaeologists recently discovered a 3,700-year-old cellar in northern-Israel. The scientists who have studied the findings say that more than 500 gallons of wine were once stored in this cellar (that’s enough to fill 3,000 bottles!).
1200 B.C. — 539 B.C.
The Phoenicians Begin To Trade Across The Mediterranean
The Phoenicians begin to trade across the Mediterranean, including the Middle East (current day Israel) and stretching around the sea from North Africa to points in Greece and Italy. It was during their trading that they also brought with them wine, transported in ceramic jugs, as well as grapevines. During travels, the Phoenicians come in contact with the Jews, who began to use wine to mark religious ceremonies. We first hear the mention of wine in the book of Genesis, when, after the flood, Noah, drunk on wine, exposes himself to his sons.
800 B.C.
The Rise Of Greece & Hellenistic Conquest
The Greeks, having been exposed to wine by the Phoenicians, begin to perfect the beverage. Wine becomes a symbol for trade, religion and health. A god is named in honor of wine: Dionysus. As the Greek city-states begin to rise in power, they colonize other land around the Mediterranean, and, along with their armies, travel with wine. After a new colony was conquered, Greeks would settle the area, bringing grapevines with them. Sicily and southern Italy formed some of the earliest colonies, and the wine then traveled up the boot toward Rome.
Dionysos in a ship, sailing among dolphins. Attic black-figure kylix, ca. 530 BC
146 B.C.
Rome Conquers Greece & Builds An Empire
The Romans take wine as their own, creating Bacchus, their own god of wine, and make wine a central part of their culture, just as the Greeks had done. They build upon and formalize the Greek's cultivation methods to the point that terroir is recognized and famous vintages (121 BC the most well known) are enjoyed for decades. As the Empire and its troops expand across Europe, Romans plant grapevines in modern day France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain as well as a number of Central European nations.
The Grand Crus of the Roman Empire Pliny the Elder recognized the Falernian, Alban and Caecuban wines in a manner similar to Bordeaux's growth classifications!
380 B. C
The Roman Empire Adopts Christianity
As the Roman Empire adopts the Catholic Church and Christianity, wine becomes a central part of the sacrament. Wine’s importance to Catholicism and Mass causes the Catholic Church to focus on wine cultivation and production. Monks in Italy and France begin working as vintners, and winemaking technology is perfected. As the Catholic Church grows across Europe, wine goes with it.
1492 — 1600
Wine Travels To The New World
Wine travels to the New World and it’s brought to Mexico and Brazil by the conquistadors. Wine spreads across South America from these two original locales.
World Map by Diego Ribero, aka "Propaganda map" (1529), now at the Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Vatican City
1543
Portuguese Jesuits Arrive In Japan
The Portuguese sail to Japan. Six years later Saint Francis Xavier brings wine as a gift for the feudal lords. Jesuits convert over 100,000 Japanese citizens to Catholicism. At the same time they introduce imported European wine to the population. In 1587, when Toyotomi Hideyoshi reunifies Japan, Christianity is banned. Grapevines are finally planted around 300 years later, during the Meiji restoration, when the nation embraces Western culture.
The Japanese embassy with Pope Gregory XIII on March 23, 1585.
1554
Spanish Missionaries Spread Across The Americas
Spanish missionaries, traveling from points North, including Mexico, establish Chile’s first winery.
1556
Spanish Missionaries Travel From Chile To Argentina
Spanish missionaries travel from Chile to Argentina, settling in the Mendoza wine region, and planting the region’s first grapes.
1562 — 1564
Wine Briefly Comes To The U.S. In Florida
Wine comes to America, being made for the first time by French Huguenots in Jacksonville, FL. The Huguenots did not bring European grapes with them, but instead used native grapes they found growing in the area. The wine made was not pleasant to the Huguenots, and they stopped making the wine shortly after they began.
Exploration of Florida by Ribault and Laudonniere, 1564
1608
Samuel De Champlain Establishes Permanent French Settlements In Canada, Founding Quebec City
Norseman Leif Eirikson is believed to have cultivated wildly growing grapes in 1001 AD, but the settlement didn't last. The French claim Canada as their territory in 1534, but they do not establish permanent settlements until 1608, when Samuel de Champlain founds Quebec City. Jesuits quickly follow and attempt to grow European grapes. They have little success so they turn to the local grapes
1619
The French Begin Cultivating Imported Grapevines In Virginia
The French import French grapevines and begin cultivating wine in Virginia. Wine starts to be made up and down the Eastern Seaboard, but, due to the colony’s Puritanical roots, it does not immediately take off.
The Northeast Vineyard and Garden Pavilion at Monticello. Thomas Jefferson failed at cultivating the Vitis Vinifera grape species at Monticello. Today, with more modern methods of cultivation, Virginia produces great wines.
1659
The Dutch East India Company Colonize South Africa
As the Dutch East India Company colonizes South Africa, there is a demand for wine to supply the sailors for their long journey back from Africa to Europe. Vines are planted and wine production begins in Cape Province to fill this need. Later the English would seize the colony.
1769
Spanish Missionary JunÃpero Serra Travels To California
Spanish missionary JunÃpero Serra, having traveled from Spain to spread the gospel in the New World, travels to California from Mexico City, opening a mission in San Diego and bringing with him grapes in order to create the region’s first wine. Spanish missions then spread across California, and the Franciscan monks bring with them the art of making wine, establishing Sonoma’s first winery in 1805
Mission San Juan Capistrano was a Spanish mission in Southern California, located in present-day San Juan Capistrano. It was founded on All Saints' Day November 1, 1776, by Spanish Catholics of the Franciscan Order
1785
Thomas Jefferson Is Appointed The Minister To France
Thomas Jefferson is appointed the minister to France. Jefferson travels to France and falls in love with French wine, particularly Bordeaux and Burgundy. Jefferson becomes convinced wine of equal caliber can be produced in the US. He returns with more French grape cuttings, and a desire to see wine thrive in Virginia.
1788
The First Fleet Sails To Australia Via South Africa
The First Fleet, having departed the UK in 1787 in order to travel to Australia to establish the penal colony, makes a stop in South Africa. During the stop the fleet picks up grape cuttings that will be planted in Australia upon the fleet's arrival.
colour lithograph of the First Fleet entering Port Jackson on January 26 1788, drawn in 1888
1832
James Busby Is Appointed British Resident Of New Zealand
James Busby, a British resident living in Australia who is considered the father of the Australian wine industry, is appointed to the position of British Resident of New Zealand by the British government. Busby travels from Australia to New Zealand and brings with him grape cuttings from Australia. He establishes New Zealand’s first vineyard in 1836.
1848 — 1855
The California Gold Rush
Americans seeking to better their prospects travel west, bringing with them a desire for riches and a taste for wine. Their taste for wine not only increases demand for the wine already being made in California, but the gold rushers also bring with them vines from the East coast, most indigenous to France, but also Zinfandel, a grape for which California would become known, that originated in Croatia.
1863 — 1962
Wine Planted By French Colonists In Algeria Flourish During The Great French Wine Blight
Phoenicians planted wine here back in their era, but Islamic rule eventually stuffed that out. When France took control of Algeria in 1830 they started replanting vineyards. Wine production soared when phylloxera decimated the French wine industry in the 1860s - 70s. Production hit a high point in the 1930s, with most of the wine being exported, particularly to French winemakers in the Languedoc for blending. When the French ceded control in 1962, production went into a long decline.
The capital, Algiers, is located in the north of country, where the nation's vineyards flourished. The coastal region has a Mediterranean climate.
1870
Basque & Italian Immigrants Arrive In Uruguay
Don Pascual Harriague, a French Basque immigrant plants Tannat vines, which will come to be considered Uruguay's 'National Grape.
1980 — 2013
China Opens Up Its Economy
As the Chinese economy opened to the world under Deng Xiaoping, imports of French wine arrived, followed by the French themselves, working with local partners to plant vineyards. In 30 years, as China's middle and upper class populations ballooned, the nation has grown into both one of the world's largest consumers and producers of wine.
Spanish missionaries travel from Chile to Argentina, settling in the Mendoza wine region, and planting the region’s first grapes.
1562 — 1564
Wine Briefly Comes To The U.S. In Florida
Wine comes to America, being made for the first time by French Huguenots in Jacksonville, FL. The Huguenots did not bring European grapes with them, but instead used native grapes they found growing in the area. The wine made was not pleasant to the Huguenots, and they stopped making the wine shortly after they began.
Exploration of Florida by Ribault and Laudonniere, 1564
1608
Samuel De Champlain Establishes Permanent French Settlements In Canada, Founding Quebec City
Norseman Leif Eirikson is believed to have cultivated wildly growing grapes in 1001 AD, but the settlement didn't last. The French claim Canada as their territory in 1534, but they do not establish permanent settlements until 1608, when Samuel de Champlain founds Quebec City. Jesuits quickly follow and attempt to grow European grapes. They have little success so they turn to the local grapes
1619The French Begin Cultivating Imported Grapevines In Virginia
The French import French grapevines and begin cultivating wine in Virginia. Wine starts to be made up and down the Eastern Seaboard, but, due to the colony’s Puritanical roots, it does not immediately take off.
The Northeast Vineyard and Garden Pavilion at Monticello. Thomas Jefferson failed at cultivating the Vitis Vinifera grape species at Monticello. Today, with more modern methods of cultivation, Virginia produces great wines.
1659The Dutch East India Company Colonize South Africa
As the Dutch East India Company colonizes South Africa, there is a demand for wine to supply the sailors for their long journey back from Africa to Europe. Vines are planted and wine production begins in Cape Province to fill this need. Later the English would seize the colony.
1769Spanish Missionary JunÃpero Serra Travels To California
Spanish missionary JunÃpero Serra, having traveled from Spain to spread the gospel in the New World, travels to California from Mexico City, opening a mission in San Diego and bringing with him grapes in order to create the region’s first wine. Spanish missions then spread across California, and the Franciscan monks bring with them the art of making wine, establishing Sonoma’s first winery in 1805
Mission San Juan Capistrano was a Spanish mission in Southern California, located in present-day San Juan Capistrano. It was founded on All Saints' Day November 1, 1776, by Spanish Catholics of the Franciscan Order
1785
Thomas Jefferson Is Appointed The Minister To France
Thomas Jefferson is appointed the minister to France. Jefferson travels to France and falls in love with French wine, particularly Bordeaux and Burgundy. Jefferson becomes convinced wine of equal caliber can be produced in the US. He returns with more French grape cuttings, and a desire to see wine thrive in Virginia.
1788
The First Fleet Sails To Australia Via South Africa
The First Fleet, having departed the UK in 1787 in order to travel to Australia to establish the penal colony, makes a stop in South Africa. During the stop the fleet picks up grape cuttings that will be planted in Australia upon the fleet's arrival.
colour lithograph of the First Fleet entering Port Jackson on January 26 1788, drawn in 1888
1832
James Busby Is Appointed British Resident Of New Zealand
James Busby, a British resident living in Australia who is considered the father of the Australian wine industry, is appointed to the position of British Resident of New Zealand by the British government. Busby travels from Australia to New Zealand and brings with him grape cuttings from Australia. He establishes New Zealand’s first vineyard in 1836.
1848 — 1855
The California Gold Rush
Americans seeking to better their prospects travel west, bringing with them a desire for riches and a taste for wine. Their taste for wine not only increases demand for the wine already being made in California, but the gold rushers also bring with them vines from the East coast, most indigenous to France, but also Zinfandel, a grape for which California would become known, that originated in Croatia.
1863 — 1962
Wine Planted By French Colonists In Algeria Flourish During The Great French Wine Blight
Phoenicians planted wine here back in their era, but Islamic rule eventually stuffed that out. When France took control of Algeria in 1830 they started replanting vineyards. Wine production soared when phylloxera decimated the French wine industry in the 1860s - 70s. Production hit a high point in the 1930s, with most of the wine being exported, particularly to French winemakers in the Languedoc for blending. When the French ceded control in 1962, production went into a long decline.
The capital, Algiers, is located in the north of country, where the nation's vineyards flourished. The coastal region has a Mediterranean climate.
1870Basque & Italian Immigrants Arrive In Uruguay
Don Pascual Harriague, a French Basque immigrant plants Tannat vines, which will come to be considered Uruguay's 'National Grape.
1980 — 2013China Opens Up Its Economy
As the Chinese economy opened to the world under Deng Xiaoping, imports of French wine arrived, followed by the French themselves, working with local partners to plant vineyards. In 30 years, as China's middle and upper class populations ballooned, the nation has grown into both one of the world's largest consumers and producers of wine.
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| Georgian_wine_vessel... The earliest archaeological evidence of wine |
