First Winery

The oldest winery was found in ancient Armenia. The site was discovered in 2007 by UCLA researchers and contained a wine press, fermentation vats, jars, cups, Vitis vinifera seeds, and vines.

• Some historians believe wine making may go back as early as 7000 BC.
• The discovery connects early wine to organized production, not only casual fermentation.

Ancient Greeks

Wine became a symbol for trade, religion, and health. Dionysus was honored as the god of wine, and Greek colonies carried grapevines with them.

• Sicily and southern Italy became early colonies connected to Greek wine culture.
• Wine travelled up the Italian peninsula toward Rome.

New World Wine

Wine travelled with explorers, missionaries, traders, and settlers. The source deck highlights the spread from Mexico and Brazil to Chile, Argentina, North America, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.

• 1492: Wine was brought to Mexico and Brazil by Spanish conquistadors.
• 1554: Spanish missionaries established Chile's first winery.
• 1650: The Dutch East India Company brought wine to South Africa.

Old World and New World

The current wine map separates traditional Old World countries from the newer wine-producing regions. Countries such as France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Austria, Greece, and nearby European regions are Old World; the others shown on the map are New World.