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Author: Libbie Agran

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 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

Posted by | Oct 27, 2022 | , |

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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The Origins of Horticulture in California: Grains, Gardens, Orchards and Vineyards 1769 – 1880

The Origins of Horticulture in California: Grains, Gardens, Orchards and Vineyards 1769 – 1880

Posted by | Oct 6, 2022 | |

Native American landscapes have been described in detail in the early correspondence and diaries of explorers, travelers, and traders who traveled to Alta California and the Pacific Coast as early as 1518. Their writings note that the landscape was often shaped by burning foliage but the traditional agricultural practices of tiling the soil, weeding, pruning, irrigating, sowing seeds, and selective harvesting were also used by Native Americans.

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