Nov. 29, 2010 Meeting Recap

Accomplished reporter and author Vivienne Sosnowski treated us all to a visit back in time to the era of prohibition at last Monday’s meeting.  As the author of the recently published historical piece “When Rivers Ran Red,” Ms. Sosnowski told us numerous stories of how the Napa and Sonoma Valley wineries survived between 1920 and 1933 when the commercial production and sale of alcohol – including wine – was against the federal law.  Few of us can imagine what the 18^th Amendment to the Constitution meant to families and businesses whose livelihood depended on selling wine during that era, but our guest eloquently shared stories that brought it all into view.  From the brutal raids by government thugs on wineries, that literally made the local rivers “run red” from the wasteful spillage, to the clever methods many winemakers employed to survive, such as special deals with church officials for certain wine contracts, and shipping grapes across the country for “legal” home wine making, our guest told the tales with grace and humor.  Her stories of this little-known aspect of American history will no doubt be enjoyed by us northern Californians in general, and especially by those oenophiles and history buffs among us.  Our thanks to the brilliant orator and historian, Ms. Sosnowski, for sharing with us.  (One last thought – maybe this book should be required reading for those on the annual “dive bar tour,” to better appreciate what life might be like without bars!)