California is the largest and most important wine region in the United States. Occupying the southern two-thirds of the country's west coast, it spans almost ten degrees of latitude and 850 miles of coastline. With mountains, valleys, plains and plateaus, the state's topography is as complex as its climate, offering winegrowers a bewildering choice of terroir. The first vines were planted here in the 18th century, as European settlers and missionaries made their way up and down the west coast. They brought with them the Mission grape – the vinafera variety also instrumental in establishing viniculture in Central and South America. Although very few Mission vines are to be found in California today, it remains a cornerstone of Californian wine. Today, California hosts some of the world's largest wine companies, but it is also home to a number of boutique wineries. Whether through mass production or single-vineyard artisanal winemaking, California produces 90% of American-made wine and supplies more than 60% of all wine consumed in the country.