About the Wine History Project

In 2015 Libbie Agran established the Wine History Project to study the land, microclimates, grape varietals, growers and winemakers who have shaped the wine history of San Luis Obispo County. Today the Wine History Project is staffed by historians and museum professionals who collaborate with a diverse group of advisors and founders. We continue to document and preserve the unique wine and food history of San Luis Obispo County.

San Luis Obispo’s wine history begins in the late 1700s when the Franciscans brought vines and winemaking from Spain to establish two of the most successful mission vineyards in California. Following the California gold rush, farmers from around the world settled here to plant grains, fruit trees, almonds, walnuts and hundreds of grape varietals in a diversity of microclimates and soils. Commercial winemaking was established in San Luis Obispo by Pierre Hypolite Dallidet by the 1860s on the property where his home is still preserved. Since that time, innovative and enterprising growers and winemakers have had a significant influence on the economy of California and wine culture world-wide.

We believe in actively engaging the public to educate and delight them in discovering San Luis Obispo County’s distinctive wine and food history.

Research & Preservation

Our approach to preserving this wine and agricultural history begins with investigation. Central to our research is the process of interviewing growers and winemakers who have shaped the wine history of San Luis Obispo County. It is through these relationships that we build upon the story of wine in our county—a story that without diligent documentation and preservation will soon be lost.

Collections

Our permanent collection includes historical vineyard tools and winemaking equipment dating from as early as 1860, rare wine bottles, wine labels, photographs, artwork, personal papers, and documents.

Exhibitions & Lectures

We work with local museums, galleries, archives, and wineries to produce exhibitions and organize events throughout the county.

Publications

The Wine History Project published its first book celebrating Archie McLaren: The Journey from Memphis Blues to the Central Coast Wine Revolution in 2019. It is written in Archie’s voice as told to the Wine History Project and features stories from McLaren’s early years growing up in the deep South, along with his journey to San Luis Obispo County and his love of wine, food, and people. We publish a variety of articles on wine history, tools, grape growers, and winemakers on our website, including those written by the Wine History Project as well as by guest authors.

Wine History Project’s second book is a comprehensive look at the wine history in San Luis Obispo County. The book will feature agricultural history dating back to the earliest grape plantings in the Mission Era of the late 1700s through the present day. The book will cover several eras of winemaking beginning with the Spanish Missions through the trying times of Prohibition, as well as commercial winegrowing in North and South County in the 1970s. The book is currently in production. The Wine History Project anticipates the book to be released in 2021.

Board of Advisors

July Ackerman, Don Campbell, Jan Cannon, Vicki Carroll, Marc Goldberg, Ian McPhee, Tom Myers, Brian Talley

Location

3592 Broad Street,
Suite 104,
San Luis Obispo,
CA 93401

Phone

(805) 439-4647

Email

libbie@winehistoryproject.org

Open Hours

By Appointment

In appreciation for the following who have contributed their expertise:

Neil Abbey, July Ackerman, Malani Anderson, Bev Aho, John Alban, Justin Baldwin, Doug & Jake Beckett, David & Judy Breitstein, Larry Brooks, Anne & James-Paul Brown, Laverne Buckman, Bob Canepa, Jan Cannon, Ali Rush Carscaden, Vicki & Howard Carroll, Dennis Cassidy, Jim Clendenen, Tim Clott, Dave Congalton, Gary Conway, Cristy Christie, John Daume, Lynn Diehl, Robert DeVries, Steve & Paula Dooley, George Donati, Hank Donatoni, Joni Dusi, Mike Dusi, Janell Dusi, Benito Dusi, Dottie Dusi, Lynn Diehl, Chris Eberle, Gary & Marcy Eberle, Jim Efird, Scott Farmer, Doug Filipponi, Herb & Diane Filipponi, Manu Fiorentini, Candy Forbes, Yuroz Gevorgian, Mike & Sharon Giubbini, Marc Goldberg, Michele Good, Nancy & Bill Greenough, Robert Haas, Jason Haas, Gray Hartley, Robert Henson, Ralph Haslam, Terry Hoffman, Michael Hoffman, Mira Honeycutt, Kent Kenney, Dee Lacey, Beniot LeCat, Frank Mecham, Jim McCormick, Dean Miller, Katie O’Hara, Frank Ostini, Noreen Martin, Ian McPhee, Heidi McPherson, Melody Mullis, Damon Miele, John Munch, Tom Myers, Robert Nadeau, Rick Nagano, Anna Negranti, Bonnie Nelson, Frank Nerelli, John R. Niven, John H. Niven, Candice Norcross, Lei Norman, Lisa Oliva, Kathleen O’Neil, Gwen & Don Othman, Chuck Ortman, Tegan Passalacqua, Joel Peterson, Kris & Jeff Penick, Suzanne Redberg, Noel Resnick, Rebecca Robinson, Christian Roguenant, John Rolph, Anatoly Rosinsky, Jenna Rovenstine, Gene Sauret, Carolyn Scott, Bill Shopoff, Toby Shumrick, Larry Shupnick, Mike Sinor, Jane & Steve Sinton, Laura Sorvetti, Ishka Stanislaus, Bev Steinbeck, Cindy & Howie Steinbeck, Brennan Stover, Brian & Johnine Talley, Brian Terrizzi, Sue Terry, Leslie Thomas, Clay & Fredericka Thompson, Elizabeth Thompson, Christina Turely, Neils Udsen, Ken Volk, Jan York, Marek Zebrowski, Margaret Zuech

Collaborations & Memberships