Wine History Project Exhibitions

Welcome to our outstanding exhibits that originated in historic sites in San Luis Obispo County over the last 7 years. Click in the center of the opening exhibit panel to navigate each exhibit! These exhibits are based on our research and collection; we design and install exhibitions online, in local museums, galleries, archives, and wineries throughout the county.

Current Exhibitions

Timeline Of Ancient Winemaking

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Walk through the history of ancient winemaking in Greece, Rome and Egypt.

Celebrating Amphorae: 6,000 Years Of Winemaking In Amphorae And The Local Winemakers In San Luis Obispo County Using These Vessels

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Discover the history behind early winemaking and amphorae. Then, trace it’s historical influences on today’s modern winemakers in San Luis Obispo County taking up the practice of using ancient wine making techniques.

ZIN/SLO Exhibit 2018 – Dallidet Adobe & Gardens

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Dive into the history of Zinfandel grapes and early grape growers and winemakers in San Luis Obispo County.

Faucets, Spigots, Spouts And Taps

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These important artifacts known as wine spouts and spigots or taps, are used in making wine and they are made from brass, bronze, metal, copper, and stainless-steel. They are in a range of small, medium and larger sizes and have a gradually narrowing thread usually made of brass for use with wooden wine barrels, kegs, and casks. This type of taps, spouts and spigots are ideal to be fitted to small, medium, and larger wooden barrels and apothecary glass, porcelain, and ceramic jars. They were used for wine, olive and vinegar oils, whiskey, beer, cider, juices; both storing and dispensing these liquids.

How The Italians Changed the Landscape And Wine Culture Of San Luis Obispo County 1900 To The Present Exhibit

Current Exhibitions Feature, Exhibits

The Wine History Project research into the late 19th century landscape of rolling hills and mountainous terrain west of Paso Robles in the Adelaida and Templeton areas has been full of interesting revelations. The first is that the Italians who migrated to northern San Luis Obispo County in the early 1900s came from Northern Italy near the Swiss border.

The First Paso Robles Area Wine Festival Souvenvir Program

Current Exhibitions Feature, Exhibits

Explore the first Paso Robles Area Wine Festival Souvenvir Program. Discover the wine festival tasting booths, and the stories behind a few of the winemakers.

Wine Becomes Art

Current Exhibitions Feature, Objects

On display at the Wine History Project of San Luis Obispo County office at 3592 Broad Street, Suite 104 in San Luis Obispo is an exhibit that features a variety of sizes of wine bottles, demi-jons, bungs, books, artwork, and a very small barrel exclaiming that wine and art are interwoven throughout culture.

Nicolas Catalogues Currently on Display in the Wine History Project Broad Street Offices

Current Exhibitions Feature, Objects

From 1928 to 1973, Etienne Nicolas recognized the synergy between wine and art and created these catalogues, produced by the printers Draeger Frères, who owned a major design and print studio and hired top designers.

Rotating Exhibits at the Paso Robles History Museum

Current Exhibitions Feature

The Wine History Project is partnering with the Paso Robles History Museum to provide rotating exhibits with lectures, films, and wine events highlighting the wine and food history of San Luis Obispo County.

Temperance, Teetotalers, and Taboo

Current Exhibitions Feature

The Prohibition exhibit, Temperance, Teetotalers, and Taboo is currently on display at the El Paso de Robles Area Historical Society. The exhibit contains some very interesting items from the Wine History Project of San Luis Obispo County collections.

The Story of Claiborne & Churchill

Current Exhibitions Feature

The Story of Claiborne & Churchill and the first commercial straw-bale structure in California.

Exhibit at Saucelito Canyon Winery

Current Exhibitions Feature

Mysteries of Zinfandel at the Saucelito Canyon Winery Tasting Room in Edna Valley.

Dusi Family Zinfandel Grape Growers

Current Exhibitions Feature

Five generations of grape growing and farming in Paso Robles at J Dusi Winery Tasting Room in Paso Robles.

Hank Donatoni and the Art of Zinfandel

Current Exhibitions Feature

Winemaker Hank Donatoni and Zinfandel grower Richard Sauret at Donatonu Tasting Room.

ZIN|SLO at Turley Wine Cellars

Current Exhibitions Feature

ZIN|SLO at the Turley Wine Cellars Tasting Room in Paso Robles.

Eberle Firsts at Eberle Winery

Current Exhibitions Feature

The firsts of Gary Eberle at the Eberle Winery in Paso Robles.

Corkscrew Development Exhibit

Current Exhibitions Feature, Objects, Wine - 21st Century History

The quest to find the easiest way of drawing corks from bottles without jolting or disturbing their contents.

Past Exhibitions

Screening Of The Amphora Project: Past Forward | November 2023

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Join us for a screening of the award-winning film, The Amphora Project: Fast Forward on November 8th at 6 PM at the Park Cinemas in Paso Robles. The film shows how ancient winemaking techniques are being explored today by winemakers in San Luis Obispo County.

Screening Of Tom Myers Made in Paso | November, 2023

Upcoming Events, Wine History - Events

Watch Tom Myers Made in Paso on the big screen on November 1st at 6 PM at the Park Cinemas in Paso Robles for free! Tom Myers is recognized as the expert on the science of making wine in San Luis Obispo County. As of 2019, he is also recognized as the man who has filled over 190 million bottles with San Luis Obispo County wine following his 42 harvests. Tom talks about his start in the wine industry and his scientific approach to crafting world class wines.

Screening Of 91 Harvests | October 2023

Past Events, Wine History - Events

Watch the story of the Dusi Vineyard on the big screen at Park Cinemas on Wednesday, October 25th at 6 PM at the Park Cinemas in Paso Robles. Three generations after Janell Dusi’s great-grandparents first planted the land with Zinfandel, she is continuing the legacy and this charming documentary tells their story.

Book Signing With Karen MacNeil | 2023

Upcoming Events

Don’t miss out on an exclusive book signing with Karen MacNeil, who will be signing copies of the new edition of The Wine Bible, this December.

Celebrating Italian Women, Wine, Pasta, & Polenta – New Exhibit | August 2023

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The Wine History Project is documenting the role of the wives and daughters of Italian farmers, charcoal makers, growers, and winemakers. We are collecting photos, letters, articles, postcards, empty and full bottles of wine, labels and recipes.

Dog Boats and Rum Runners in State Parks – San Luis Obispo County in the Prohibition Era

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New Exhibition, Dog Boats and Rum Runners in State Parks – San Luis Obispo County in the Prohibition Era at the historic Spooner House in Montana de Oro State Park, on display until June 2022.

An Evening Of History & Wine – Featuring EPOCH Estate Wines | October 21st

Past Events, Wine History - Events

We’re partnering with the Paso Robles History Museum to launch a brand new event series, “An Evening of History & Wine,” starting on October 21st. This first event features EPOCH Estate Wines. Join us as we explore the history of York Mountain and enjoy EPOCH Estate Wines. During this event, you’ll meet resident historian, Jenna Martinez, and winemaker Jordan Fiorentini.

Paderewski Festival | November 4-6

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The Paderewski Festival is a four-day music festival held annually in November celebrating Paso Robles’ rich heritage and its most famous resident Ignacy Jan Paderewski – virtuoso pianist, composer, international politician, local landowner, grower and winemaker. Concerts featuring world renown talent, exhibits, lectures, master classes and film screenings are accompanied by wine tastings and tours of local vineyards. A youth piano competition, recital and student cultural exchange with Poland additionally honor Paderewski’s legacy.

Symposium | 2023

Upcoming Events

Join us for a symposium on ancient winemaking 6000 in clay vessels with winemakers and archaeologists around the World in 2023.

New Exhibit | The Italians Changed the Landscape of San Luis Obispo County and Wine History – 1900 To The Present | January 2023

News - Overview, Upcoming Events

Join us for the opening of a brand new exhibit showcasing how Italians transformed the landscape and wine history in San Luis Obispo County. Learn about charcoal and Zinfandel in February 2023!

Amphorae: Celebrating Amphorae Exhibit | October 2022

Amphorae, Past Exhibitions, The Amphorae Project

The exhibit Celebrating Amphorae: 6,000 Years of Winemaking in Amphorae and the Local Winemakers Who Continue the Ancient Tradition is on display at the Paso Robles History Museum in Paso Robles City Park through February 2022.

Grape Expectations: Break Their Hearts…and Have No Mercy

Past Exhibitions

Objects on display from the Wine History Project of San Luis Obispo County collections. Copper...

Wine Becomes Art at SLOMA

Past Exhibitions

Open March 1 to April 10. Featuring original works and art etchings on wine bottles, including original works by James-Paul Brown, Yuroz, Gary Conway, Candice Norcross, Colleen Gnos, Michael Masicampo, and artists of the Mano Tinta Project.

Seeking Gold, Finding Grapes

Past Exhibitions

Collection of rare bottles and tools from the California Gold Rush at the El Paso de Robles Area Historical Society.

Paderewski Festival in Paso Robles

Wine History - Events

Buy Tickets “The Paderewski Festival is a four-day music festival held annually in November celebrating Paso Robles’ rich heritage and its most famous resident Ignacy Jan Paderewski – virtuoso pianist,...