1880 - 1881

Date: 
1880
Body: 
Eugene Hilgard, a professor of agriculture at the University of California, Berkeley, pronounces Howell Mountain highly suitable for the production of wine grapes. He encouraged German winemaker Charles Krug to begin planting vines, and enthusiasm for Howell Mountain vineyards quickly caught on.
Date: 
1881
Body: 
A “land rush” occurs — by 1884 there are at least 30 growers with over 500 acres planted on Howell Mountain.