Geography and topography have settled Marin County in a position where temperatures are lower than those in Sonoma and Napa Counties although they are mere minutes away. Furthermore, Marin County's terrain and weather patterns are must more similar to those of the southern French wine country of Burgundy than of those in its on State of California. For that reason, viticulture in Marin County and its production of wines can easily compete with the world class wines of Burgundy.



Because of its awesome landscape, its irregular climate, its viticultural tendencies and the high quality wines its wine industry produces due to its extended growing season, Marin County has been said to be much more similar to Burgundy, the world renowned giant of French wine country, than it is to Sonoma and Napa, the wine country of Northern California. And like Burgundy, Marin County produces the elegant Merlots, the Pinot Noirs and the Riesligs.

Along with the building of the San Rafael Mission in 1817, the vitis vinifera grapes were launched in Marin County. The County's residents immediately recognized that their wet winters and very dry summers, their lush soils, the diverse terrain and the warm California sunshine will be perfect for growing grapes and they soon set about cultivating small vineyards.

The vineyards that were started up by the San Rafael Mission to be used as therapeutic work for the Native Americans who did not take well to the Spanish rule were captured by General Mariano Vallejo. Vallejo promptly banned the Mission's religious attachments, commended that the vineyards be dug out and replanted on his own property in the neighboring county of Sonoma. This action, of course, brought Marin County's viticulture to a near standstill.

Viticulture in Marin County was further slowed during the Prohibition of the 1920s and then it was even further slowed down in 1937 when the Golden Gate Bridge was opened to the public and all eyes turned to Marin County's lands and housing, and viticulture was virtually forgotten.

Marin County's wine industry was further thwarted by the Prohibition era of the 1920s and the opening of the Golden Gate Bridge in 1937 turned Marin County's economic focus away from wine and to real estate and the housing market.

The Marin County Grape Growers Association has helped by encouraging and motivating its members to persist with their industrial endeavors. They meet every other week to acquire news about the industry, to brainstorm, to discuss and to inspire.

Marin County boasts approximately 200 acres of vineyard while Sonoma County has over 40,000 acres. It is obvious that viticulture in Marin County is indeed very small but it produces wines that are huge in quality.