Mission
Mission is a grape variety of Iberian origin that became the first widely planted vine in the New World. Also known as País in Chile and Criolla in Argentina, it is genetically identical to Listán Prieto, a Spanish variety that travelled with missionaries and colonists during the sixteenth century.[1] Its legacy is strongly tied to colonial viticulture and the establishment of early wine traditions across the Americas.
Origins and spread
The Mission grape derives from Listán Prieto, a red variety cultivated in Spain, particularly in the Canary Islands, before becoming a staple of colonial expansion.[2] It was introduced to the Americas by Franciscan and other missionaries, who used it for sacramental wine in missions and settlements. By the mid-sixteenth century, the variety had spread from Mexico into California, and further south into Chile and Argentina, forming the foundation of viticulture in these regions.[3]
Historical role in the Americas
In California wine history, Mission was the dominant grape until the late nineteenth century.[4] Vineyards planted by Spanish missionaries, particularly around San Diego and later in northern missions, ensured its widespread presence. The grape also became essential for producing fortified wines and brandy, including early forms of pisco.
In Chile, the same grape, known as País, was central to the development of colonial and rural viticulture, sustaining both everyday consumption and religious use.[5] In Argentina, its synonym Criolla spread across Mendoza, San Juan, and Salta, forming the backbone of early wine production before the later dominance of varieties such as Malbec.[6]
Despite its initial importance, Mission’s reputation declined with the arrival of higher-quality Old World varieties. By the twentieth century, it was largely replaced in commercial vineyards by international grapes, though pockets of old vines survived.[7]
Viticulture and characteristics
Mission vines are vigorous and adaptable, thriving in arid, poor soils where more delicate varieties might fail.[8] It produces medium-sized clusters with thick-skinned berries. Wines made from Mission grapes tend to be light in colour and body, with modest tannin and relatively neutral aromas. This made the grape suitable for bulk production and sacramental wine, though less favoured for fine quality wines when compared with European imports.[9]
Contemporary significance
In recent decades, there has been renewed interest in Mission, particularly in the context of heritage vineyards and authentic regional expressions. In Chile, País has been rediscovered as part of the revival of old bush vines, often producing lighter, fresh red wines that contrast with the country’s international varietal exports.[10] In Argentina, Criolla-based wines are being explored for their cultural resonance and historical continuity.
In California, a small number of producers have returned to Mission, emphasising its historic role in local viticulture. These wines are often framed as part of a broader movement to acknowledge and reinterpret the foundations of New World winemaking.[11]
See also
References
- ↑ Robinson, Harding & Vouillamoz, Wine Grapes, 2012.
- ↑ Robinson (ed.), The Oxford Companion to Wine, 2015.
- ↑ Johnson & Robinson, The World Atlas of Wine, 2019.
- ↑ Pinney, A History of Wine in America: From the Beginnings to Prohibition, 1989.
- ↑ Consejo Regulador DO País (Chile), “La cepa País (Mission)”.
- ↑ Instituto Nacional de Vitivinicultura (Argentina), “Criolla grape”.
- ↑ Pinney, A History of Wine in America, Vol. 2: From Prohibition to the Present, 2005.
- ↑ VIVC, “Mission (País/Criolla)”.
- ↑ Robinson (ed.), The Oxford Companion to Wine, 2015.
- ↑ Johnson & Robinson, The World Atlas of Wine, 2019.
- ↑ MacNeil, The Wine Bible, 2022.