The Wine History Project

Dante, Guido, Benito, Caterina, and SylvesterDorothy and DanteDorothy and DanteMaking CharcoalJanell and DanteJanell and DanteJanell and DanteDante Dusi was born in July 1925 in San Luis Obispo.  This is Dante’s story but as you know, an Italian comes with and is...

Ron Breitstein, Judy Breitstein, and David Breitstein, 1998. “We have carved a niche by understanding the palates of our customers and what they enjoy drinking.” – David Breitstein In April 2009, The Culinary Institute of America, located at Greystone in the Napa...

Jacob Grandstaff was one of the earliest settlers in the York Mountain area and the first settler to be documented planting a vineyard of Mission Grapes on York Mountain.

James Anderson was a shipwreck survivor from Sydney, Australia and one of the founding viticultural pioneers of San Luis Obispo County, alongside his friend and neighbor, Andrew York. He was one of the only Australians to settle in San Luis Obispo County, and was the first Australian to settle on York Mountain and to grow Zinfandel and Burger grape varietals in the York Mountain area. He may even be the first to build a winery in the history Ascension district. He was the first to own a redwood tank with a 16,000-gallon capacity. The tank was made in San Francisco and purchased in the San Jose area. James Anderson studied winemaking and had the money to buy good equipment.

In 1882 Andrew York purchased land in the Santa Lucia Mountains, northeast of Cayucos and established the vineyards that would become Ascension Winery in 1895. He soon renamed it York Winery, and the York family occupied this land, grew grapes, and made Zinfandel wine for three generations.

Bob was the first new commercial grape grower in San Luis Obispo County after Prohibition as well as the first to use irrigation. He was also an Olympic Medalist and known for mentoring other growers.

Zinfandel grape grower in the Paso Robles area for nearly 70 years. Known for working with growers to found Independent Grape Growers of Paso Robles Area (IGGPRA) and for helping many vineyard owners throughout the county. Recognized for his techniques and wisdom about growing grapes which have been made into highly rated Zins for winemakers such as HMR, Rosenblum Cellars, Au Bon Climat, Castoro Cellars, Peachy Canyon, Opolo, Robert Hall, Gary Eberle, Hank Donatoni, and J. Lohr.