September 1, 1715: On this day, the effervescent Champagne became a favorite among the French elite at Philippe II’s court when Louis XIV of France passed away in 1715. More Champenois winemakers tried to intentionally dazzle their wines, but they lacked the knowledge necessary to regulate the process or construct wine bottles that could resist the pressure.

September 1, 1729: Nicolas Ruinart founded the first winery dedicated to manufacturing sparkling wine in Champagne. Ruinart began as a textile merchant but he switched careers in 1735 to keep up with the demand for his increasingly popular bubbling wine. For fascinating information on the rest of his family line and estate, see this article from Wine Searcher.

September 1, 1982: On this day, Finger Lakes AVA was established. This Viticultural Area in Upstate New York includes multiple lakes, around which vineyards make use of the rich soil.

September 1, 1982: Livermore Valley was established, in one of the first waves of AVAs officially recognized. The AVA boasts well-drained soils, preventing vines’ vigor and increasing grape flavor concentration. The AVA is located in San Fransico Bay appellation and is named after Robert Livermore, the forts person to plant grapes in the region.

September 1, 1986: On this day, the American Wine Society Wine Competition started. The American Wine Society has held a Commercial Wine Competition every year since 1986. This contest is now one of the most reputable in the United States.

September 1, 1990: On this day, Napa, authored by James Conaway, was published. Napa Valley, California is perhaps the most emblematic location for wine in the United States, producing several of the most demanded wines in the world as well as unique grapes. Conaway’s book unveils this coveted wine region, narrating the history of this place, its culture, and its personalities which have paved the way to wine dynasties of great renown.

September 1, 2009: On this day, Gallo Be Thy Name was published, about the Gallo family of winemakers. Jerome Tuccille writes about the story behind one of the most renowned wineries in the entire United States: E & J Gallo Winery. Founded in California in 1933, the winery lasted through prohibition and war to lift the Gallo family out of poverty, and propel them into their modern success.

September 1, 2010: On this day, Leithaberg DAC (white from the 2009 vintage, red from 2008), and Eisenberg DAC (Blaufränkisch, Klassik as of the 2009 vintage, and Reserve from 2008) were both sold as wines of protected origin from Burgenland.

September 1, 2020: On this day, Oregon Winegrowers Association was established. The Oregon Winegrowers Association is a statewide group that represents Oregon vineyards and wineries to policymakers in Salem and Washington, DC.

September 1, 2020: On this day, a ruling that would divide grape growers and vineyards across the state of Minnesota was made by a federal judge. The law banned wineries from making wine unless most of the grapes they used were raised in Minnesota. The Hastings-based Alexis Bailly Vineyard was the primary plaintiff in the case.

For more dates in wine history, click here.