Decantified: Lousy Bust in California Vineyards
By Jim Ginley
Saturday, January 30, 2010 – Hardy Missouri stock saved the California wine industry in the 19th century.
In 1876, there was a second bust in the California wine industry. There had been increased production with grape plantings rising from 30 million vines in 1873 to 43 million in 1876. The grape glut caused the market to crash and grape prices dropped to $2 a ton.
Many winegrowers let their barnyard animals into the vineyards or uprooted the vines and planted fruit trees. Those that held on and survived were rewarded with hardier vines and better wines.In the early 1880s, the phylloxera vine louse was decimating the European vineyards, and the shortage of French wines helped the demand for California wines. But the louse was spreading in California too, and threatened to destroy their entire industry.
Finally in 1894, the solution was discovered. The Old World vines were grafted onto Native American rootstock, which was resistant to the louse. The process was first tried in Europe, and was successful there. Where did they get the vines? From …Missouri!
Another market crash from overproduction occurred in 1886. Again the market corrected itself, and again improved quality was a byproduct. If fact, many of the pre-Prohibition wines were still being enjoyed 50 years after they were bottled.
In 1892, a British accountant named Morgan arrived in California, and within a few years formed the 
California Wine Association with six other big producers. Soon it grew to include 64 wineries. Their success helped stabilize prices by controlling production and supply.
California Wine Association with six other big producers. Soon it grew to include 64 wineries. Their success helped stabilize prices by controlling production and supply.The San Francisco earthquake in 1906 destroyed 15 million gallons of CWA wine, but Morgan then built the largest winery in the world at that time on San Francisco Bay, called Winehaven. It could produce 8 million gallons of wine and store 12 million, and bottled 67 different wines at its peak. The fourth wine glut occurred in 1911, and Morgan retired.
In the years following much overproduction was shipped to Britain and Germany, which also suffered from the Great Depression. As of 1973, the red brick structure and many other Winehaven buildings became part of a naval fuel depot, which ceased operation in 1995. Much of the fortress-like building remains today.
Next week: Prohibition
Jim Ginley is a 30-year veteran of the local hospitality industry and serves as the wine consultant at Green's Discount Beverages in Myrtle Beach. He can be contacted at
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