Overview: Wine of the Valley California brings a vision of sun, surf, sand, and the Beach Boys. Travel a little further up the coast and you're in wine country. Sonoma County is a mass of fine Californian Wineries. It all started in the 1800's when a Spanish Priest planted the first vines. Then a Hungarian Count brought vine cuttings, then the Russians, Italians and Germans hopped on. Join our Thirsty Traveler as he explores the history of America's melting pot.