Drawing upon grape historyAncient Egyptian hieroglyphics show the cultivation of grapes. Scholars believe that ancient Greeks, Phoenicians and Romans also grew grapes both for eating and wine production. The practice of growing grapes spread to Europe and North Africa and eventually to the United States.
Today in the United States, approximately 98 percent of commercially grown table grapes are from California. (California Table Grape Commission). |
Wild native grapes grew along streams in North America, but the first cultivated grapes in California were grown by Spanish Franciscan Friars to produce sacramental wine for the California Missions. The first table grape vineyard in California is credited to an early settler by the name of William Wolfskill in the Los Angeles area. As more settlers came to California, more and more varieties of European grapes were introduced. Some for winemaking, others for raisins and some for eating fresh. Varieties and Availability
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