Chapter One. The Success of Italian Winemakers in California and the “Pavesian Myth”

The success of Italian winemakers in California, particularly those from Piedmont's Langhe-Roero and Monferrato regions, is not solely due to essentialist or deterministic factors but rather the result of shared ecological and climatic similarities between California and Italy. This study challenges traditional narratives by examining the achievements of three prominent California wineries—Italian Swiss Colony, Italian Vineyard Company, and E. and J. Gallo Winery—founded by Piedmontese immigrants. It highlights how the transplantation of Old World wine culture and expertise to the U.S. West Coast was facilitated by analogous landscapes, ecologies, and climates, rather than cultural stereotypes or myths, such as the 'Piedmont on the Pacific' referenced in Cesare Pavese's works. The research approach involves a critical analysis of historical, ecological, and cultural factors contributing to this transatlantic transfer of winemaking knowledge.

(Ed.). (2020). Chapter One. The Success of Italian Winemakers in California and the “Pavesian Myth”. Soft Soil, Black Grapes, 25–46. https://doi.org/10.18574/nyu/9780814717387.003.0002