American wine history

American wine history began with the arrival of European settlers in the 16th century, who attempted to grow grapes for winemaking. The first successful vineyard was established in California in the mid-19th century, leading to the rise of winemaking in the region. Prohibition in the 1920s severely impacted the industry but post-Prohibition revival saw California's wine production flourish. The 1976 Judgment of Paris, where California wines outperformed French ones in a blind tasting, marked a turning point, establishing the U.S. as a significant player in the global wine market, which has continued to expand and diversify today.