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Environmental Implications and
End of Hydraulicking
Forests were cut down with alarming efficiency to build flumes to divert rivers. Because almost all trees surrounding rivers and creeks in Sierra Foothills were cut down, banks were not properly supported. This contributed to regular inundations downstream. In one exceptionally bad year, newly elected mayor of Sacramento had to travel by boat to his inauguration.
The majority of trees in Tahoe area today are less than 150 years old. The old-growth was decimated during Gold Rush.
Huge amounts of debris from constant hydraulicking filled riverbeds and caused flooding in Delta farmlands that worsened every year. Viticultural production in Lodi was adversely affected during these years.
This boom cycle continued until January 7, 1884 when Judge Lorenzo Sawyer of Ninth Circuit Court outlawed practice of hydraulicking. He declared that impact of hydraulicking on natural environment was undeniable. Political pressure from agricultural interests in Delta and Central Valley was also a factor. However, most powerful objection to hydraulicking came from U.S. Navy. They could barely reach Mare Island Naval Base through clogged waterways.
The Bust, Prohibition, and Post-Prohibition Years
One of defining periods in California's history had ended and economic repurcussions were massive. The town of Fiddletown is an example of impact of mining bust. Once a vibrant trading center, population dwindled significantly after Judge Sawyer's ruling.
Because wine country in Sierra Foothills was isolated from rest of state, planted vineyards in region largely avoided devastation caused by Phylloxera Louse at end of nineteenth century. Because of this, there are some exceptionally old vines still alive in foothills today.
However, this isolation coupled with disintigration of local market for wine (no more miners) had a severe impact on wine industry. When Prohibition became law, only Fossati-Lombardo Winery retained its bond to produce wine for local churches. The wine industry in Sierra Foothills fell even further into oblivion in decades immediately following repeal of Prohibition. Even Fossati-Lombardo Winery was forced to shut its doors.
The Delta weathered these years more successfully. In years after Gold Rush, many of growers in Lodi began to form wine producing co-ops to deal with changing times. These arrangements were largely successful for several decades.
After Prohibition was enacted, Lodi Wine Country continued to produce grapes for home winemakers through Volstead Act. Heads of household were legally allowed to make a limited amount of wine for personal consumption. The proximity of logistical routes to Lodi made business quite profitable.
The Flame Tokay and Zinfandel varietals were shipped all over country, often east of Rocky Mountains. Cesare Mondavi (father of Robert and Peter) came to Lodi from Northern Italy in 1920s. He began his career in wine industry by shipping grapes to East Coast during Prohibition.
The Renaissance Wine Country in Delta and Sierra Foothills
By 1950s, 7 major Lodi co-ops encompassed more than 600 independent growers. However, problems with this business model began to arise. All co-ops except East-Side were eventually bought by major wine production and distribution corporations. This is basis for current domination of big business in Lodi Wine Country. The region has only partly emerged from jug wine era. Lodi is instrumental in producing grapes for White Zinfandel. That being said, there are many high-quality, limited-quanity wines from AVA.
Wine production in Clarksburg began in 1968 when Warren and Chris Bogle planted 20 acres of vineyards in region. The AVA's wine industry has grown considerably since then and currently has a reputation for producing some of best Chenin Blanc in United States.
Greg Boeger bought old Fossati-Lombardo Winery in 1973 and established first Post-Prohibition Winery in Sierra Foothills. Since then, region has steadily grown, and has recently planted a significant amount of Rhone and Cal-Italian varietals. Zinfandel remains region's specialty.
The Sierra Foothills and Delta have played an extremely important role in shaping modern California. Although these regions are often thought of as peripheral, they are largely responsible for population and financial foundation that Golden State rests on today.
Benjamin Bicais lives in the Napa Valley and is the webmaster of http://www.california-wine-tours-and-accessories.com
