A brief history of American winemaking
- Written by Liz Thach, Professor of Management and Wine Business, Sonoma State University
A cellar worker steams American oak wine barrels before their use at Silver Oak Cellars in Oakville, Calif.
AP Photo/Eric Risberg
The American love affair with wine dates back to the earlier European settlers in the 16th century, when they began making wine with a native grape known as muscadine.
Today every state produces wine, though almost half...