How Italian Americans rebuilt the wine industry after Prohibition: An interview with Carla de Luca
By the time Prohibition ended in 1933, the California wine industry had been crushed. Yet, thanks to the entrepreneurial spirit and cultural resilience of Italian Americans, the industry was not only saved but grew into the globally recognized sector it is today. By answering the research question “How did Italian Americans influence the recovery and growth of California’s wine industry from Prohibition to the modern era?”, this exhibit explores the significant role Italian Americans played in shaping California’s wine industry. It examines how their cultural values, collaborative spirit, and entrepreneurial drive allowed them to overcome Prohibition, work together to grow the industry as a whole, and emerge as leaders in the field. By recognizing the contributions made by Italian immigrants to a significant American sector, this project supports diversity objectives and demonstrates how underrepresented groups can foster cultural and economic innovation.
The Prohibition era created major challenges for Italian American winemakers, whose work and culture were suddenly made illegal. For the purpose of this exhibit, I was lucky to interview Carla De Luca Worfolk, a television and documentary producer who won an Emmy Award for her work. She is particularly recognized for her 2009 documentary, “America’s Wine: The Legacy of Prohibition”, which explores how Prohibition affected the American wine industry, tracing its challenges and revival through interviews with winemakers and historians.
Credits: Daniela Cervantes