In Part 2 of this conversation, Damian Bacich talks with wine historian Kevin Ferguson, descendant of the Gemello Winery family, about the dramatic rise of California wine, the legendary 1976 Judgment of Paris, and the family stories that connect Silicon Valley, Napa Valley, and Italian immigrant winemakers.

They also explore how Prohibition, entrepreneurship, and even Bank of America played unexpected roles in California's wine history. Whether you're interested in California history, wine, or remarkable family stories, this episode offers a fascinating look behind one of the state's greatest success stories.

Kevin's Substack: https://gemello.substack.com/

Chapters

00:00 – A French judge mistakes Napa wine for French
00:49 – California wine's low point in the 1960s
03:41 – From 350 wineries to nearly 4,800
04:11 – The Gemello family's survival and real estate strategy
08:11 – California wines before the Judgment of Paris
10:04 – How the Judgment of Paris came together
14:44 – The shocking tasting results that changed history
15:46 – How the victory inspired a new generation of winemakers
22:26 – Steven Spurrier's remarkable wine shop story
26:06 – Why the Judgment of Paris became California's great underdog story
27:52 – Italian immigrants, Bank of America, and California agriculture
31:46 – Final reflections and Kevin Ferguson's upcoming book

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In the first part of my conversation with author Kevin Ferguson, we explore the rich history of California wine, tracing its roots from Italian immigrants through the challenges of Prohibition to the pivotal Judgment of Paris in 1976.

Kevin delves into his family's legacy, highlighting how early 20th-century winemakers navigated legal loopholes and economic shifts to establish California as a leading wine region.

This episode provides insights into the evolution of winemaking practices, the influence of figures like Paul Masson, and the resilience required to thrive in a changing industry.

Join us to understand the historical context and enduring impact of these developments on the global wine landscape.

00:00 - Introduction.
00:31 - California's wine history.
01:32 - Judgment of Paris explained.
02:18 - Kevin's family background.
03:40 - Early winemaking challenges.
05:52 - Paul Masson's influence.
10:09 - Settling in California.
15:12 - Impact of Prohibition.
18:36 - Loopholes in the law.
28:34 - Repeal and resurgence of wineries.

Kevin's Substack: https://gemello.substack.com/

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In part 2 of our interview, we explore the transformative period of US occupation and the subsequent transition to statehood, focusing on the California Constitution drafted in 1849 and ratified in 1850. Dr. Jones provides a deep dive into the cultural and social dynamics of the time, highlighting the contributions and challenges faced by these pioneering communities.

We discuss the development of africancalifornios.org, a dedicated platform aimed at preserving and sharing this rich heritage. The conversation also uncovers the intriguing story behind California's name, believed to be inspired by an African queen, Califia, from a historical novel. This episode offers a comprehensive look at the diverse influences that have shaped California's history.

To learn more: https://www.africancalifornios.org/home

• 00:10 Introduction to the Interview
• 01:12 US Occupation and Statehood
• 02:47 California Constitution
• 05:30 Cultural and Social Dynamics
• 10:30 Project Development: africancalifornios.org
• 33:52 California's Name Origin

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Historian Cameron Jones joins Damian Bacich for a fascinating conversation about the overlooked African presence in early California. Drawing on mission records, census data, and genealogical research, Jones explores how people of African descent—many arriving from Mexico as soldiers, settlers, and ranchers—helped shape California during the Spanish and Mexican periods.

The discussion traces the stories of prominent Californio families such as the Picos, the multicultural origins of Los Angeles, and the complex racial realities of life in frontier California. Jones also explains his groundbreaking digital humanities project, AfricanCalifornios.org, which uses historical records and data science to reconstruct the lives and networks of African-descended Californios.

Far from reducing California history to simple categories, this interview reveals a past that was deeply diverse, interconnected, and often misunderstood. It’s an essential conversation for anyone interested in California history, the Spanish Borderlands, genealogy, race and identity, or the hidden stories behind the American West.

Topics discussed include:

* African-descended Californios and the Spanish missions
* The founding families of Los Angeles
* Pío Pico and the Pico dynasty
* Race, class, and identity in Spanish and Mexican California
* The transition from Mexican to U.S. ru
* California genealogy and historical memory
* The AfricanCalifornios.org project

To learn more: https://www.africancalifornios.org/home

• 0:00 Intro
• 0:23 Show Introduction
• 0:48 About Dr. Cameron Jones & African Californios
• 3:26 How Cameron Got Into This Research
• 7:44 The 1813 Questionnaire: Discovery of African Descent in California
• 10:20 Notable Californio Families of African Descent
• 14:26 The Founders of Los Angeles

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In the second half of this interview with Edie Littlefield Sundby (The Mission Walker), she explains why she extended the California Mission Trail beyond San Diego and retraced the original mission route from Loreto, Baja California, to the U.S. border in 2015, after her cancer returned and she was treated with radiation.

Guided by Harry Crosby’s maps and aided by (previous guest) Trudi Angell and local vaqueros, she walked nearly 1,000 GPS miles through roadless desert sierras with pack mules, scarce water, and minimal supplies, encountering both extraordinary hospitality on remote ranchos and increasing danger from narcos and drug routes in northern Baja.

Edie contrasts the wild Jesuit trail with the more accessible Franciscan route in California, reflects on gratitude, trust, and spiritual pilgrimage, discusses the missions’ enduring “spirit” even in ruins, and closes with thoughts on history’s complexity and the California Mission Trail as a pilgrimage people can complete in segments.

Purchase The Mission Walker

Chapters

00:00 Why Baja Matters
01:21 Transcendence Then Relapse
03:28 Discovering Loreto Origins
05:20 Planning With Trudy
06:41 Keeping It Quiet
07:59 Jesuit Trail Realities
09:54 Launching From Loreto
10:25 Vaqueros And Survival
13:23 Rancho Hospitality Story
16:11 Living History On Ranchos
18:07 Timing The Desert Walk
19:23 Loreto Mission And Spirit
21:07 Jesuit Trail Highlights
23:04 Narcos on the Trail
24:23 Vaquero Protection
26:31 Respect and Trust
28:08 Desert Hunger Lessons
29:11 Water Survival System
30:16 Cactus and Gear
32:14 Shrines and Gratitude
33:19 Finishing the Journey
36:33 Drug Roads Reality
37:59 History Beyond Myths
40:31 Trust Over Fear
41:44 California Camino Dream
42:44 Walking in Segments
43:52 Next Big Adventures
44:55 Books and Farewell
46:57 Support the Show

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Today's guest is Edie Littlefield Sundby, author of the memoir The Mission Walker, about becoming the first person to walk the full Camino Real of both Californias while living with stage four cancer.

In Part 1, Edie recounts being initially denied treatment, finding aggressive care at Stanford, surviving extensive surgeries and chemotherapy, and using walking to purge toxicity and rebuild her body and spirit.

She also describes her first mission journey, walking from San Diego to Sonoma in 55 days by following mission bells and a hiker’s guide, as well as the hospitality of Franciscan missions.

Chapters:
00:00 California Mission Trail Intro
00:40 Meet Edie Littlefield Sun
02:40 Stage Four Cancer Turning Point
04:54 Walking as Medicine and Pilgrimage
08:13 Mission Bells and First Trail Walk
10:48 Chemo Walks and Healing Mindset
15:56 Follow the Bells Decision
18:14 Planning the 800 Mile Walk
21:18 Trail Logistics and One Lung
24:03 No Shortcuts Long Walk Lessons
27:04 Maps Over GPS Ground Truth
30:03 55 Days Mission to Mission
32:50 Mindfulness Outside the Head
34:56 Santa Susanna Pass Breakthrough
39:29 How the Trail Defines California

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In 1769, Spain feared it was about to lose the Pacific coast. Russian traders were moving south from Alaska, British naval power was rising, and Spain had no permanent settlements north of Baja California. In response, imperial officials launched a land-and-sea operation known as the Sacred Expedition — a march that would found San Diego, search for the lost harbor of Monterey, and lead a small overland party to the first recorded European sighting of San Francisco Bay.

The Portolá Expedition (1769–1770) was the first Spanish overland exploration of coastal Alta California, organized to secure Spain’s claim against rival empires. Led by Gaspar de Portolá and supported by Fr. Junípero Serra and José de Gálvez, the expedition established San Diego, attempted to locate Monterey Bay, and instead made the first documented European discovery of San Francisco Bay. These journeys laid the foundation for Spain’s missions and presidios in California.

0:00 -- Introduction
0:32 — Why Spain Moved into Alta California (Manila Galleon & Empire Strategy)
3:10 — Russian Expansion Threatens Spanish California
6:30 — José de Gálvez’s Plan: Missions and Presidios in Alta California
9:40 — The 1769 Portolá Expedition Begins
13:10 — Founding San Diego: First Mission and Presidio
16:40 — Why the Expedition Missed Monterey
19:50 — The European “Discovery” of San Francisco Bay (1769)
22:40 — The Return South and Near Failure
24:30 — 1770: Founding Monterey and Securing Spanish California

References:

• Herbert Eugene Bolton, Fray Juan Crespi, Missionary Explorer on the Pacific Coast, 1769-1774
• Phil Brigandi and Eric Plunkett, The Portolá Expedition in Orange County
• Harry W. Crosby, Gateway to Alta California: The Expedition to San Diego, 1769
• Iris Engstrand and Donald Cutter, Quest for Empire: Spanish Settlement in the Southwest
• Iris Engstrand, “The Occupation of the Port of San Diego de Alcalá, 1769.”
• Robert Kirsch and William S. Murphy, West of the West. Witnesses to the California Experience, 1542-1906.
• Richard Pourade, The History of San Diego: Vol. II: The Explorers, 1492-1774.

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In part two of this interview, Damian Bacich continues his conversation with David Kier, who shares stories from his travels to the Baja California missions and explains some of the legends people tell about “lost missions” and hidden treasures. David describes what the missions look like today—some are still standing and even used for church services, while others are in ruins because of weather and time. He also talks about other historians and writers who inspired his work and gives helpful advice for people who want to visit Baja California, including tips about safety, transportation, insurance, and travel documents. David encourages listeners to see Baja California as an important part of California’s history and to appreciate its culture, landscapes, and historic landmarks.

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