History of California wine facts for kids

California wine has a long and important history. In the late 1900s, California wines became known as some of the best in the world. Even though wine is made in all 50 U.S. states, California makes a huge amount of it. Some people say California produces up to 90% of all American wine. If California were its own country, it would be the fourth largest wine producer globally!

California Wine History

California's wine industry has grown a lot over time. It started many years ago and has become very successful. The state's sunny weather and good soil are perfect for growing grapes. This helps California make so much wine.

Workers in the Vineyards

For a long time, the California wine industry has relied on many workers. These workers help take care of the grapevines. They also help pick the grapes when they are ready for harvest. Many of these workers travel to California for the harvest season.

Because California is close to Mexico, many workers come from there. In 2007, an expert named Karen Ross, who leads the California Association of Winegrowers, thought that a large number of workers might not have all their official papers.

Changes in Worker Rules

The United States Department of Homeland Security announced new rules. These rules meant that businesses had to check all their workers' documents very carefully. If a business had workers without the right papers, they could face big fines.

In August, a group called the AFL-CIO union went to court. A judge then put a temporary stop to these new rules. This gave everyone more time to review them. Experts believe these changes will affect the California wine industry. They think it might lead to higher prices for wine in stores.

See also

In Spanish: Historia del vino de California para niños