February 20, 1673: On this day, the first recorded wine auction was held in Garraway’s Coffee House, Change Alley, in London, England. The building was famous in the 17th century for trading commodities and shares; it was the first building to sell tea to the public. Wine auctions have since become an inextricable part of the international culture of wine.

February 20, 1989: On this day, Chard Farm harvested its first grapes, with which it would later make its first wines. Chard Farm was founded by the Hay family, and its early years were largely viewed with skepticism, since few believed that quality wine could emerge from the continental climate of Central Otago. Since then, it has gained a reputation among the most notable wineries in the world, with deep roots in its community and a penchant for favoring in-depth experimentation over high-scale competition.

February 20, 1990: Mt. Veeder AVA was established in the Mayacamas mountains. The AVA boasts 1000 acres of planted vineyards, elevated 500-2600 feet above sea level. Its unique terroir gives its wine a ‘briary’ taste. Besides, it experiences cool to moderate temperatures and is elevated such that most vineyards are above the fog line. As a result, it experiences warmer nights and cooler days than most AVAs on the valley’s floor. Key Varietals include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, and Chardonnay.

February 20, 2020: Stag’s Leap celebrated its 50th founding anniversary. From the 20th to the 22nd of February, the winery held several festivities to mark Stag’s Leaps milestone. The anniversary kicked off at the South Beach Wine & Food Festival.

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