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The Mirassou family has been growing grapes and crafting superior wines in the sun-drenched hills of California since 1854, earning the family the proud distinction of being America's oldest winemaking family. 2004 marked an unprecedented 150 years of family winemaking.
In 1854, Pierre Pellier, our great- great- great-grandfather, sailed from France with his bride and his prized grape cuttings in search of the best California had to offer. When his ship ran short of water, Pierre purchased potatoes onboard and inserted his cuttings, keeping the precious wines alive.
Our family grew as Pellier's daughter married neighboring vintner Pierre Mirassou. The vineyards thrived under Mirassou's care, and this fruitful partnership marked the start of more than a century of winegrowing in the area.
Peter Mirassou guided the vineyard through the Prohibition years, choosing to continue cultivating the family vines. The demands for grapes for use in home winemaking and sacramental wine kept prices high, and after Prohibition's repeal the family winemaking business was revived.
Increasing urbanization became a threat to the Mirassou vineyards. Edmund Mirassou identified Monterey County as an ideal climate for grape culture, and in 1961 he brought the first vines to the area, pioneering grape growing on California's sunny Central Coast.
Our family's innovative spirit has led us to introduce numerous winemaking advances, including field-crushing grapes in the vineyard to prevent spoilage. This "vineyard in the fields" was made possible by our revolutionary work with mechanical grape harvesting.
2004 brings a bright new approach from America's oldest winemaking family, with a new line of uniquely expressive wines that honors our rich traditions. We are proud that for six generations we've been able to share the gift and joy of winemaking. David Mirassou and his brother-in-law, Steve, enjoy traveling and sharing their story with Mirassou wine lovers across the country.
DATA COPIED FROM NATALIEMACLEAN.COMDATA COPIED FROM NATALIEMACLEAN.COM
DATA COPIED FROM NATALIEMACLEAN.COM
