October 15, 1980: On this day, United Vintners, the second biggest wine firm in the United States, was approved by an FTC court for takeover by Heublein.

October 15, 1981: On this day, Sonoma Valley officially gained American Viticulture Area status. Even though it was the area where the commercial wine industry in California got its start in the 1850s, Sonoma Valley did not get its legal designation as an American Viticulture Area (AVA or appellation) until 1981.

October 15, 1996: Southcorp and Paragon Vineyard Company formed a joint venture. Southcorp, the parent company of Penfolds and more than a dozen other Australian wineries, and the Niven family, who run Paragon Vineyards in San Luis Obispo, have agreed to launch a joint venture. Southcorp Limited is the biggest producer of premium brand wine in the world and has its headquarters in New South Wales, Australia. In addition to Lindemans, Penfolds, and Rosemount Estates, three of Australia’s leading wine groups, the corporation is in charge of managing several other brand names. Wynns and Seppelts are two more well-known wine labels; the business has been attempting to go down to 850 or less in total.

October 15, 1996: On this day, ViniPortugal, the Interprofessional Organization of Portuguese Wine, was established and acknowledged later in the same year by order of the Ministry of Agriculture.

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