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The Wine History Project

The Wine History Project of SLO County preserves and presents two centuries of local viticulture through research, interviews, exhibitions, publications, talks and tastings. We work with local museums, galleries, archives, and wineries to organize events and exhibitions in venues throughout the county.

Together We Can Preserve the Story of Central Coast Winemaking

Location

3592 Broad Street,
Suite 104,
San Luis Obispo,
CA 93401

Phone

(805) 439-4647

Email

libbie@winehistoryproject.org

Open Hours

By Appointment

Recent Articles

1985-2017 Central Coast Wine Classic: The Catalogs

1985-2017 Central Coast Wine Classic: The Catalogs

KCBX, the local public radio, began its first broadcast on July 25, 1975. At that time a non-profit, non-commercial community radio was a new concept. It was questionable how an area the size of San Luis Obispo County would be able to give support to a public radio station. The station eventually became part of the nationwide network of National Public Radio and built a strong listenership.

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Karen MacNeil – America Wine Critic And Wine Historian

Karen MacNeil – America Wine Critic And Wine Historian

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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The World of Pinot Noir: Archie McLaren And Brian Talley

The World of Pinot Noir: Archie McLaren And Brian Talley

In 1996, Brian Talley, commemorating the tenth anniversary of Talley Vineyards, hosted the first livestream dual blind wine tasting event in the United States. Stephen Tanzier, the author of the International Wine Cellar, hosted several of New York’s finest restaurant wine directors to taste the wines in front of a large television screen.

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The Central Coast Wine Classic And The Rise of Philanthropy

The Central Coast Wine Classic And The Rise of Philanthropy

Archie McLaren is the man remembered for creating and sustaining the Central Coast Wine Classic, the top regional wine event, for over three decades. Over the years, this wine event raised over $3.2 million to support philanthropy for public radio station KCBX, the Healing Arts, Performing Arts and Studio Arts in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties.

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Wine Postcard Stories – Postcard Collection of Gail Unzelman: On The Other Side Of The Eastern Napa Valley Hills – Solano Co. Wine Country

Wine Postcard Stories – Postcard Collection of Gail Unzelman: On The Other Side Of The Eastern Napa Valley Hills – Solano Co. Wine Country

The Suscol Hills to the east of Napa Valley constitute a natural boundary between Napa and Solano County. About five miles south of the city of Napa, Jameson Canyon forms a break in the hills and leads into the lower end of Solano County’s Green Valley, so named by early settlers for the abundance of a wild grass that remained green throughout the dry summers.

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Wine Postcard Stories – Postcard Collection of Gail Unzelman: California Raisin Land – A Vintage Box Of Postcard Favorites

Wine Postcard Stories – Postcard Collection of Gail Unzelman: California Raisin Land – A Vintage Box Of Postcard Favorites

Directly in the middle of the vast Central Valley is the San Joaquin Valley, a viticultural wonderland for growing and the production of raisins, or dried grapes. Today, on almost 100,000 acres in an area within a 60-mile radius of Fresno, raisin growers produce 100% of the U.S. raisins. Our postcard story is set here in Fresno — a major city and economic hub in the San Joaquin Valley, the largest city in the greater Central Valley, and “The Raisin Capital of the World.” Many of the following accounts of our postcard storytellers are borrowed from the 1891 published jewel, California Homes & Industries. Fresno Illustrated.

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AFT Records For 2025

AFT Records For 2025

The Department of the Treasury, Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau is required to make available to the public, records by way of publishing a list of alcohol industry members who hold permits, as required under the Federal Alcohol Administration Act. These permits allow legal production, bottling, importation, or distribution of beverage alcohol products. Updates to these different listings are produced weekly by the federal government. The particular listing, an important document to the Wine History Project and the historical information we collect in our archives, lists the wine producers and blenders of San Luis Obispo County.

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Collaborations & Memberships

Exhibitions

Introduction To The Rancho Era

Introduction To The Rancho Era

The area now known as San Luis Obispo County had far fewer residents during the Golden Era of the Rancho Period than most other areas in Mexican California. The Mexicans fought to free their people and lands from Spanish rule and celebrated this freedom from 1832 by creating Ranchos, which became the dominant institution of Mexican California. Rancho is a Mexican word that describes a tract of land used for raising cattle, sheep and horses.

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Contact Us

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