The "Wine Map of California," crafted by the renowned Ruth Taylor White in 1935, is a vibrant and whimsical pictorial representation of California's rich wine-making heritage. This thematic map highlights the key wine-producing regions of the state, including Sonoma-Mendocino, Napa Valley-Solano, and Fresno-San Joaquin Valley-Kern, among others. Each region is illustrated with colorful vignettes that depict the lively and diverse activities associated with wine production, making the map not only informative but also visually captivating.
This map serves as an infographic, presenting detailed information about California's wine industry in an engaging and illustrative manner. The decorative border, adorned with quotes about wine, adds a touch of elegance and literary charm, while the inset at the lower left lists the prominent wine-making towns, providing a comprehensive overview of the state's viticultural landscape. The use of vibrant colors and playful illustrations makes the data accessible and enjoyable, appealing to both wine enthusiasts and map collectors alike.
Ruth Taylor White's distinctive mapmaking style is evident in this piece, characterized by its colorful and cartoonish depictions. Known for her pictorial maps, White's work often combines artistic flair with geographical accuracy, creating maps that are both educational and aesthetically pleasing. This particular map, created shortly after the end of Prohibition, captures the resurgence of the wine industry in California, reflecting the cultural and economic significance of wine production during that era.
The map's design and style offer a glimpse into the historical context of the 1930s, showcasing the revival of the wine industry after the restrictive Prohibition years. The illustrations not only highlight the geographical regions but also depict the cultural activities and traditions associated with wine-making, providing a rich tapestry of information and visual delight. The map's playful yet informative approach makes it a valuable piece for understanding the historical and cultural landscape of California's wine industry.
Overall, the "Wine Map of California" by Ruth Taylor White is a remarkable blend of art and information, capturing the essence of California's wine-making regions with charm and precision. Its historical significance, combined with White's unique artistic style, makes it a treasured addition to any collection, offering both a visual feast and a wealth of knowledge about one of the state's most celebrated industries.
Places on this map
- Wine-making regions:
- Sonoma - Mendocino
- Napa Valley - Solano
- Alameda - Contra Costa
- Lodi - Sacramento
- Santa Clara - San Benito - Santa Cruz
- Modesto - Escalon
- Fresno - San Joaquin Valley - Kern
- Southern California
- Geographical features:
- San Francisco Bay
- Mt. Shasta
- Sierra Nevada
- Los Angeles
- San Diego
- Catalina Island
- Towns and cities:
- San Francisco
- Sacramento
- Modesto
- Fresno
- Los Angeles
- San Diego
- Santa Cruz
- Napa
- Sonoma
Notable Features & Landmarks
- Wine-making regions:
- Sonoma - Mendocino
- Napa Valley - Solano
- Alameda - Contra Costa
- Lodi - Sacramento
- Santa Clara - San Benito - Santa Cruz
- Modesto - Escalon
- Fresno - San Joaquin Valley - Kern
- Southern California
- Decorative inset:
- Lists "The Wine-Making Towns of California."
- Decorative border:
- Features quotes about wine.
- Colored vignettes:
- Illustrations of wine-making activities and characters in each wine-growing region.
- Geographical landmarks:
- Mountains, rivers, and other notable geographical features of California.
- Cultural elements:
- Depictions of people engaged in wine-making and related activities.
Historical and design context
-
Name of the map: Wine Map of California
-
Creation date: 1935
-
Mapmaker/Publisher: Ruth Taylor White
- Ruth Taylor White was known for her colorful and whimsical pictorial maps.
-
Type of map: Infographic, Thematic, and Pictorial map
- Topics and themes:
-
Wine Making: The map highlights the wine-making regions and communities in California.
-
Wine Quotes: Decorative border featuring quotes about wine.
- Design/style:
-
Colorful and Decorative: Features colored vignettes in wine-growing regions and a decorative border.
-
Pictorial Elements: Illustrative and cartoonish depictions of wine-making activities and regions.
-
Inset: Decorative inset at the lower left listing "The Wine-Making Towns of California."
- Historical significance:
-
Prohibition Era Context: Created shortly after the end of Prohibition in the United States (1920-1933), marking a resurgence in the wine industry.
-
Cultural Representation: Reflects the cultural and economic importance of wine production in California during the early 20th century.
Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.
This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.
This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 100in (250cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.
The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40x50cm) version of this map.
The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.
If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.
Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.
This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.
This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.