A blog discussed the ten most important things that have impacted the modern wine industry. I disagree with them. I want to give you my list of ten events that really created the modern wine business:

1. Ernest and Julio create the Gallo Wine Company including what insiders called "The University of Gallo" where young people were trained to market and sell wines

2. Robert Mondavi creates the modern Napa Valley

3. Steve Spurrier gives the world an appreciation for California wines

4. Glen Ellen shifts consumers from San Joaquin Valley grape varietals to Coastal varietals i.e. Chenin Blanc to Chardonnay

5. Joe Ciatti and Fred Franzia begin planting Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon all thru the San Joaquin Valley. The entire state of California is almost replanted

6. Parker and the Wine Spectator become phenoms

7. "Sixty Minutes" reports on the French Paradox

8. American consumers change the way wines are marketed, grape variety means more that the company that makes it

9. California wineries begin using foreign wines. Check out the bottom shelf of any grocery store

10. The distribution system in America shrinks

Honorable mention:
Bob Trinchero creates white zinfandel

Fred Franzia ferments San Joaquin Valley Chardonnay in barrels

Helen Turley and Heidi Peterson make high alcohol, highly extracted wines proving that wine writers can have a sweet tooth