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Category: Wine Articles – Overview

Wine History

Collecting, preserving and sharing the story of wine in SLO County.

Ancient History

The First Vineyard Owner – 2350 B.C.

Well, surely you remember Noah, the ship builder and sailor, who loaded his wife and the animals two by two onto his ark to save them from the giant flood. The Book of Genesis in the Bible tells the story that as soon as the great flood waters receded around 2350 B.C. Noah, his family and the animals, two by two, disembarked. Noah found a plot of land nearby and began to plant a vineyard. It may not have been the very first vineyard to be planted on earth, but it was the first documented ownership of a vineyard.

19th Century History

Discovering San Luis Obispo County – 1870

This article was written by the editor of the San Luis Obispo Tribune, Walter Murray, to refute comments by "critics" in the Bay Area in 1870. It was published in our hometown Tribune on March 5, 1870. This is the best description of our county at the time; many new vineyards and winemakers were moving to our county and planting vineyards and making wine. Please note that we have not edited the article. It stands as written. There are a few words we could not read due to the fragility of old newsprint. 

  • Wine - 1900s & 1910s History
  • Wine - 1920s & 1930s History
  • Wine - 1940s & 1950s History

New Vineyards In San Luis Obispo County 1860 To 1900

There is no doubt that the discovery of gold in California in 1848 profoundly shaped the history of nineteenth century America. The astonishing discovery made San Francisco the destination of travelers around the world. Men and women planned to emigrate to California to seek their fortunes. They came by ship around the Cape Horn of South America and across the Isthmus of Panama, through Mexico to reach the Pacific Coast. From there, they boarded a ship to reach San Francisco Bay. They also came by foot and by wagon from the Midwest, across the plains, over the Rocky Mountains and through New Mexico and Sonora to find gold in California. California was declared a state in 1850 and San Luis Obispo was one of 27 counties formed in the same year.

The Rise Of Farm Protective Associations: Fighting Crime And Fraud In Prohibition-Era Agriculture

Many farm and agricultural journals of the time, including American Agriculturist, created new departments and named them Service Bureaus. These departments acted as a consumer advocate and as an intermediary between companies and subscribers. The service was not free. For a minimum subscription, each member received a membership certificate and a sign. (Maybe in some cases, this was published on cardboard, depending on the level of membership subscription.)

  • Wine - 1960s History
  • Wine - 1970s History
  • Wine - 1980s History

21st Century History

The Central Coast Wine Classic Is A Landmark Historical Event In San Luis Obispo County Timeline – Central Coast Wine Classic And Archie McLaren

Archie McLaren co-founded the Central Coast Wine Classic in 1985. It became the most significant wine event in San Luis Obispo County history to date. Archie brought the greatest wines, winemakers, and chefs to San Luis Obispo County to introduce them to our vineyards and a new generation of local winemakers. He wanted to create events that would empower everyone. Archie believed that San Luis Obispo grapes and wines were equal to the great wines of the world. He brought winemakers, collectors, members of the wine trade, and the wine media to San Luis Obispo County to meet our growers and winemakers. Most importantly, he created a festival to celebrate our local food and wine to educate all who attended. It was an intimate setting where winemakers from around the world were paired with local winemakers to learn from one another. They bottled their Cuvees and auctioned them off the next day to raise money for local charities. Personal relationships were established that are critical in telling our story and shaping our history.