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Author: Libbie Agran

The Mission Vineyard Project Update – Dana Adobe Heritage Mission Vineyard | November 2022

It has been an exciting year in and around the Heritage Mission Vineyard. The stone wall surrounding the vineyard has been completed by Charles Boydston and his masonry company. We thank everyone for their donations to fund this project – over $60,000. We are also grateful to the neighboring farm for gifting the stone used on the wall. It is native to the Nipomo area; the colors running throughthe stones reflect the terroir and the glow of the Santa Lucia Mountains in the distance.

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The Rotta Family (Joe 1885 – 1958) Clement (1890 – 1963) And Romilda (1895 – 1976) Were Swiss Italian Growers And Winemakers, Mentored By Frenchman Adolph Siot In Templeton Starting In 1909 – They Fermented And Aged Their Zinfandel Jug Wine In Redwood Tanks And Sold It To Visitors And Cal Poly Students Right From The Barrel

The Rotta Winery, located at 250 Winery Road in Templeton, was operated by three generations of Swiss-Italians: the first generation by brothers Joe and Clement Rotta, the second by Clement’s son Mervin, the third by Clement’s grandson, Michael Giubbini and his wife. The ownership by members of the Rotta family spanned from 1908 to 1976 and then again from 1990 to 2013. Grape growing and winemaking operations by the Rotta family are thought to have been established around 1917 or shortly thereafter. Known for its jug Zinfandel wine, the winery to develop a strong following among Southern California surfers, Cal Poly students, and the Hippie generation who continue to talk about their visits and memories of Romilda Rotta to the present day.

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