December 28, 1847: Henderson Luelling was born. An American Quaker and abolitionist who practiced horticulture, Luelling holds the distinction of establishing varietal fruits in Oregon, a state now reputable for the depth of its wine industry.

December 28, 1905: John Charles Macleod Fornachon, a wine microbiologist, was born in Wayville, Adelaide, on this day. He enrolled at Roseworthy Agricultural College in 1922 to study oenology and viticulture. The Wine Overseas Marketing Board asked the university to study wine illnesses and how wine goes bad in 1934. (later Australian Wine Board). In November, Professor (Sir) John Cleland put Fornachon to work as an investigator under his supervision. The study was transferred to the Waite Agricultural Research Institute in Urrbrae the next year, and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research was in charge of it. He was AWRI’s first wine scientist.

December 28, 1982: On this day, California Shenandoah Valley AVA was established. The area largely produces Zinfandel, Primitivo, and Barbera grapes. The California Shenandoah Valley AVA covers slightly over 10,000 acres and had 1,200 acres planted in vineyards when it was established. The AVA encompasses a tiny land in El Dorado County as well, just outside of Amador County.

December 28, 2005: TongHua Amur-Wine gained its geographical indications (GI) protection products on this day.

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