Varietal Origin
Riesling was born in the Rhine region of Germany, with one parent being Gouais Blanc and the other a cross between Traminer and a wild vine. It dates back to the 15th century, with the first documented reference being a sale of six vines in 1435. Later, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the popularity of German Riesling wines reached an all-time high. Connoisseurs paid as much for these wines as for many of the great red wines of France, as their unusual ability to develop for decades in the bottle was well-known.

Riesling vines have very hard wood, making them well-suited to cool-climate wine regions. They are particularly resistant to frost, allowing viticulturists to prune them earlier than other varieties.

German Riesling is often called White, Rhine or Johannisberg Riesling. To further confuse the issue, it is known by different names in different countries where it is grown and made: Riesling Italio or Riesling Italinski in Italy, Rheinriesling or Weisser Riesling in Austria, Laski Rizling in Yugoslavia, Risling Vlassky in Czechoslovakia, and Olasz Rizling in Hungary.

California Modern Day
Both the best known variety from Germany, and the most prestigious grape grown in the Alsace region of France, Riesling is enjoying a resurgence of popularity in America. It is planted in most wine regions in the state of California, and has had the most success in the cooler areas of Santa Barbara, Monterey and Mendocino.