The Wine History Project
We collect and present two centuries of local viticulture history through research, interviews, exhibitions, films, and publications and work with local vintners and growers to bring to life the wine history of San Luis Obispo County.
Together We Can Preserve the Story of Central Coast Winemaking
Explore the stories of the men and women who made viticultural history in our county in People. Learn about the historical tools and equipment used in cultivating grapevines and making wine in Objects. Delve deep into the chronology of wine history in the county in Wine.
Reach out to us and help contribute to our continually expanding wine history timeline and archival collection. Contact Us
New Series: Outstanding Tasting Rooms from the Decade
Series: Artists and Winemakers
Series: Prohibition
Series: Wines in the White House
Recent Articles
- Legends
Art Norman (1933-2006)
Art initiated a movement of small growers focusing on premium grapes for local winemakers crafting small production fine wines when, in 1972, he planted the first vineyards of Zinfandel and Barbera on Vineyard Drive in the Adelaida region in west Paso Robles.
From the Collection
Handmade Balloon Bottles
Wine bottles with a balloon-shaped body are known as balloon bottles. Fragile and often covered with a weaving of straw or raffia, they also became known as wicker bottles.
Featured Resources
Wine - 18th Century History
Wine History: 1500 to 1800
The art of winemaking and the rootstock that we call the Mission Grape, belonging to the famed Vitis vinifera species of grapes, were brought to California by the Spaniards. The grape, first known as Listan Prieto, arrived in Mexico around 1540 and was planted in what is now New Mexico in the 1620s.
Wine - 19th Century History
The Wine House – Paso Robles 1887
1144 Pine Street, located on the southeast corner of Pine at 12th Street, has been many things over the years. It is currently an Italian restaurant and formerly home to Villa Creek. Further back in time, to the year 1887 to be exact, the property housed The Wine House and Billiard Hall, owned and operated by E.J. Carpeaux.
Wine - 20th Century History
The Tobias Vineyard
The first vintage of Tobias 1980 Zinfandel won gold medals at the Santa Barbara County Fair and the San Luis Obispo County Fair. Tobias Vineyard was the smallest winery in San Luis Obispo County at the time.
Current Exhibitions
