Legend Of Justin Baldwin
In 1981, Justin Baldwin purchased 160 acres of farmland from Gary and Marian Conway in a remote area west of Paso Robles known as Adelaida. His dream was to produce world-class Bordeaux wines.
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Category: People Articles – Overview
Legends & Mavericks
The people behind the bottle - both past and present.
5 Double Gold Awards – The Most Ever Presented To One Winery
Earlier this week, some members of the Orange Society came to the winery to present us with five double gold awards. They said it was the first time they could remember ever presenting five double golds to one winery.
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The Promotional Strategy Of The California Wine Industry Was Tourism: Benito Dusi Was A San Luis Obispo County Believer
By 1919, California had become America’s leading winegrowing state with over 1,000 wineries in operation. On January 16th, 1919, with the ratification of the 18th Amendment to the Constitution everything changed. This was the beginning of the Prohibition Era in America – 1920-1933. It was not illegal to drink. Any wine, beer, or spirits in the possession of an American in 1920 could be enjoyed and consumed at home. The 18th Amendment and the Volstead Act stipulated that individual states should enforce Prohibition according to their own laws. Local law enforcement in San Luis Obispo County was vigilant, harsh and terrifying. People were arrested, jailed and paid large fines for making and selling wine.
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Eberle Winery Celebrates The 40th Anniversary
Our congratulations to Eberle Winery on the 40th Anniversary of the winery and to owner Gary Eberle who has contributed significantly to the wine history of San Luis Obispo County in four areas: grape varietals, the founding of the Paso Robles AVA, the production of fine red wines (Cabernet Sauvignon is his favorite) and the development of a culture of hospitality unlike any other wine area in California.
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Legend Of Jacob Grandstaff
California history is rich with the stories of men and women arriving in busy ports on the California coast or crossing the Sierra mountains on overland travels from the east by train or Conestoga wagon during the 19th Century. California became part of the territory of the United States in 1848, and on September 9, 1850, was admitted to the union as a state. San Luis Obispo County was designated as one of the original 27 counties in February 1850 in preparation for statehood. The California gold rush brought over 300,000 people from all over the world to the state. Many began to migrate south to find a pleasant place to settle and establish a farm or a craft.
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A Virginian Shows San Luis Obispo How It’s Done George W. Hampton: Carpenter, Civic Leader, Grape Grower, And Winemaker (1832-1919)
George William Hampton was born July 12, 1832, in Abingdon, Washington County in Virginia to William and Sarah Buchanan Hampton, who had married on August 31, 1828 according to the “Visit Abingdon” website.
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Caterina Gazzaroli Dusi (1894 – 1985) Strength And Wisdom Build A Family
Caterina had a strong work ethic which inspired her three sons and her grandchildren to pursue the demanding work in their careers no matter what the obstacles.
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Janell Dusi
Janell was born into the fourth generation of a famous Italian family who settled in Paso Robles and Templeton in San Luis Obispo County in the 1920s. She was born and raised in the Dante Dusi Vineyard and by the age of 12 knew she wanted to pursue winemaking. Dante was her mentor.
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Vicki Carroll, President Hospice du Rhône – Women’s History Month
The Wine History Project Honors Vicki Carroll as a wine educator in San Luis Obispo County who promoted local winemakers, growers and agriculture in the 1990s. She founded her own marketing consulting firm before becoming the President and Executive Director of Hospice du Rhône with the mission of improving the business conditions for grape growers and wine producers of Rhône variety wines and grapes throughout the world.
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Karen MacNeil – Women’s History Month
The Wine History Project honors Karen MacNeil as the most influential wine educator and writer in the United States. She not only produced the most comprehensive and accessible “Bible” on viticulture, wine history and wine culture throughout the world, but continues to make wine accessible to everyone through her blogs, wine quizzes, seminars, films, special events and wine tastings. She is always available to educate you with delight and passion.
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Wine Country Postcard Stories: California Wine & Its History: A Memorable Journey
Hello, readers and champions of this phenomenal SLO Wine History Project. My name is Gail Unzelman, a California wine historian of many decades, now pretty much retired. (Which we all know is impossible.) SLO Director Libbie has asked me to contribute a little something about my California wine history writings and experiences — which I am honored to do.
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Legend – Frank Nerelli
Third-generation Italian grower and winemaker at the famous Pesenti Winery and his own ZinAlley in Templeton. Frank is proud of his heritage and continues to strengthen the Legacy of both the Nerelli and Pesenti families.
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A Vineyard Profile – Edna Ranch and Tolosa Tradition Robin Baggett and Bob Schiebelhut
Robin Baggett and Bob Schiebelhut were working as young lawyers in San Francisco soon after graduating from law school. Within a few years they were both dreaming of moving to an area with a more laid-back and idyllic lifestyle. The dream of living in a beautiful area on the Central Coast of California found its roots in childhood. Both men had family backgrounds “steeped” in agriculture.
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Piedra Creek Winery
Romeo (Meo) made wines sourced from the finest grapes in San Luis Obispo County. He harvested his own grapes. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay came from the MacGregor Vineyard in the Edna Valley, and Zinfandel from the old vines in the Benito Dusi Vineyard in Paso Robles. Meo had a long history making wine at home in his laundry room in Southern California as a hobby starting in the 1960s. However, when he retired to the Edna Valley his talents and passion for winemaking brought him into the limelight. He started new careers as a grower and winemaker at age 75.
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Domaine Alfred and the Chamisal Vineyard LEGEND – Terry Speizer
Summary Domaine Alfred Winery, founded by Terry Speizer in 1994, changed the history of...
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LEGEND of Norman Goss, Founder of Chamisal Vineyard
Norman Goss was a “renaissance man ”; he had several remarkable talents, passions, an extensive knowledge of international wine regions, and built multiple careers that spanned most of the twentieth century. He traveled the world, and explored cultures and their cuisines, wines, music, and arts. He was a Californian, born in Los Angeles, who traveled to Europe in the “Grand Tour” fashion with his parents as a child; he was raised in Pasadena, which also became his home for a number of years in adulthood.
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Legend of Phillip and Gelert Hart AmByth Estate- Forever
Phillip developed a passion for wine and ancient winemaking techniques during his travels. After much research he became the first person in San Luis Obispo County to pursue Biodynamic Farming in the vineyard when planting 17 acres with eleven grape varieties in Templeton.
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Celebrating Women’s History Month and Two Hundred Years of BAD ASS French Women Champagne Makers
To continue the International Celebration of Women’s History Month, I want to introduce you to some of the heroines, winemakers, and owners of the Champagne Houses, who promoted, innovated and made French champagne during the past 250 years…
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Legend – Vailia From
Vailia From describes herself as a traveler by nature and says “Desparada is what carries me.” Vailia arrived in Paso Robles in the year 2007, bringing her home on wheels with her. Within a few days she was parked in a vineyard owned by one of the early biodynamic farmers in the area and working at a local co-op as a cellar rat. This story is about the middle of her life journey and the birth of Desparada. The adventure continues…
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Wine Legend Manu Fiorentini
Manu Fiorentini moved to Paso Robles with his wife Jordan, winemaker at Epoch Estate Wines, in 2010. He brings a variety of experiences and areas of expertise which have profoundly influenced winemaking in San Luis Obispo County. Manu was born in the city of Rome in Italy and grew up outside Milan. He spent most summers with his grandfather in Tuscany. He studied in France and speaks both Italian and French fluently. He founded the first local business to offer both technical services and a complete range of supplies and equipment for winemaking. He imports French Oak barrels, Italian-made concrete tanks, Italian-made winemaking equipment (including filters, crush equipment, tanks and bottling lines), Tuscan anfore and provides wine treatment services (including filtration and wine adjustments).
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Legend of Daniel Callan
The Wine History Project spent several years developing criteria for the person, place, grape, vineyard or event to be selected as a LEGEND for our archives and website. In general each LEGEND has made an impact that has profoundly influenced the Wine History of San Luis Obispo County. Daniel Callan is the youngest person selected to date. He is the Assistant Winemaker at Thacher Winery. But he also has developed several historical research projects that include identifying the “Lost or Forgotten California Vineyards” where grapevines have flourished over 100 years ago. His love of history has brought new attention to heirloom grape varieties planted in California in the 19th Century and the winemaking techniques used in each era. Daniel is researching, cultivating and making wine from these forgotten grapes.
Read MoreThe Impact of John (Jack) H. Foott
John H. Foott served as the agricultural advisor to San Luis Obispo County from 1966 to 1991 when he retired from the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources Department of University of California Statewide Extension (UCCE). Everyone knew him as Jack Foott. His legacy surrounds us in the vineyards, fruit orchards, avocado groves and vegetable fields that grow throughout San Luis Obispo County.
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Legend of Stephanie Terrizzi
Stephanie Terrizzi is a viticulturist with years of experience and training, who focuses on sustainable farming and building healthy soil in the vineyards. She is known for planting Nebbiolo, Trebbiano, Sangiovese, Friulano and Ribolla Gialla that thrive in San Luis Obispo County.
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Legend of Brian Terrizzi
Brian Terrizzi grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio in an area with a large German population. As a child he was identified as Italian by his schoolmates. Maybe it was the vowel at the end of his name. He was curious about his heritage. He spent his Sundays with his grandparents. They loved to cook and eat special foods from Italy. They taught Brian about his Sicilian heritage in the kitchen and around the dinner table.
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Sherman Thacher
Sherman Thacher has a special affinity for preserving the unique ecosystem and wildlife corridor on his property located in the Adelaida region on Vineyard Drive in San Luis Obispo County. He has become a steward of his land that was once a part of the original Old Kentucky Ranch established in 1869, just west of the town of Paso Robles.
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Richard Blake: Legendary Printer of Wine Labels
Blake Printery, founded in the city of San Luis Obispo, established the business of producing and printing wine labels for the wine industry with a graphic design team and cutting-edge technology that has become one of the most famous and dynamic in the world.
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Lorenzo Nerelli (1883-1968)
First-generation winemaker Lorenzo and his wife, Cesarina Nonini planted a vineyard and built their winery in 1917, naming it Templeton Winery. Templeton Winery was the second winery in San Luis Obispo County bonded after Prohibition was repealed in 1934.
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Aldo Bruno Nerelli (1917–2007), Silvia Pesenti (1923–2018), and Victor Pesenti (1924–2000)
Aldo Nerelli and Victor Pesenti, the second generation of winemakers (1946–1969) at Pesenti Winery.
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Frank Pesenti (1896-1983)
Frank Pesenti founded the first winery that was bonded after Prohibition in 1934, Pesenti Winery famous for Zinfandel and generic red table wines sold in gallon jugs.
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Frank Nerelli (1949-Present)
A third-generation winemaker and the only one of Frank Pesenti’s twenty grandchildren who continued to work at the Pesenti Winery until it was sold to Larry Turley in 2001, Frank Nerelli is the founder of ZinAlley Winery.
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