In 2013, I found myself, coincidentally, following in the footsteps of Spanish Missionary Saint Junípero Serra. 

300 years after his birth, I too was leaving his home island of Mallorca and heading to California. 

In the 18th century, Serra founded the first 9 of the 21 Spanish Missions throughout California. They planted vineyards with each mission they established and introduced the first vitis vinifera vines to California, which are native to the Mediterranean.

The Californian Gold Rush, in the mid 19th century, brought waves of new settlers to the region, increasing the population and local demand for wine. Today, California accounts for nearly 90 percent of US wine production.

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"Wine is the only artwork you can drink" - Luis Fernando Olaverri

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"Wine is sunlight, held together by water" - Galileo Galilei

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"He who knows how to taste does not drink wine but savours secrets" - Salvador Dalì