1882

Year the first major traditional method (méthode champenoise) sparkling wine began to be made in California—specifically in Sonoma’s Russian River Valley. The producer, Korbel Champagne Cellars, had been founded a few years earlier by three immigrant Czech brothers whose main business was lumber, and subsequently, sparkling wine and brandy. Korbel (now minus “Champagne” in the company name) has been made for the last 141 years.