Fort Ross was established in 1812 by the Russian-American Company. Fort Ross has an important significance in the grape growing history of California as in 1817 the first grapes in Northern California were planted at Fort Ross from Peruvian grape cuttings by Captain Leontii Andreianovich Hagemeister. These grapevines were the first grapes planted in Sonoma and Napa counties. Fort Ross Vineyard is proud to continue this tradition.
BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF THE OLD RUSSIAN SETTLEMENT OF FORT ROSS: 1812 – 2012
Fort Ross was requested to produce wine to mark the Bicentennial of the old Russian settlement of Fort Ross in 2012. We have made two special blends - a Chardonnay and a Pinot Noir, both with distinctive commemorative labels that have a painting of the old Fort done in 1841 by the Russian naturalist, Il'ya Vosnesensky. The painting is now hanging in the Kunstkamera in the Peter the Great Museum in St. Petersburg. Celebrations will be held at the old Fort and in the Fort Ross Vineyard Tasting Room.
