California Vines, Wines & Pioneers
Grab your glass and take to the wine trail with food genealogist Sherry Monahan as she traces the roots of "California's Vines, Wines & Pioneers." While cowboys and early settlers were writing the oft-told history of the Wild West, California's wine pioneers were cultivating a delicious industry. The story begins when Franciscan missionaries planted the first grapes in Southern California in 1769. Almost a century later, news of gold drew thirsty prospectors and European immigrants to California's promise of wealth. From Old World vines sprang a robust and varied tradition of wine cultivation that overcame threats of pests and Prohibition to win global prestige. Journey with Monahan as she uncorks this vintage history and savors the stories of California's historic wineries and vineyards.
Sherry Monahan, Peter Mundavi
Sherry Monahan began her writing career when she combined her passion for food, travel, and history. She penned her first book, Taste of Tombstone, in 1998. That same passion landed her a monthly magazine column in 2009 when she began writing her food column in True West entitled, Frontier Fare. It includes details of food, drink, businesses and related stories in the Victorian West as well as a historic photo. She also enjoys researching the genealogy of food and spirits. She is the past president of Western Writers of America (2014-2016) and holds memberships in the James Beard Foundation, the Author's Guild, Single Action Shooting Society, and the Wild West History Association. Sherry is also a professional genealogist and an honorary Dodge City marshal. Her awards include: 2018 Bronze Will Rogers Medallion, Golden Elixir of the West2018 Gold Will Rogers Medallion, Tinsel, Tumbleweeds, and Star-Spangled Celebrations2016 Gold Will Rogers Medallion, The Cowboy's Cookbook2010 Wrangler Award, Wyatt Earp documentary, History Channel1999 Glyph Award, Taste of Tombstone
