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
3592 Broad Street,
Suite 104,
San Luis Obispo,
CA 93401
(805) 439-4647
libbie@winehistoryproject.org
By Appointment
As agriculture in California developed, the California Legislature and the University of California worked to determine which dry-farmed crops would thrive in various regions throughout the state. Paso Robles became an important area of study in 1889 thanks to the passage of the Hatch Act of 1887 to provide funding for agricultural experiment stations.
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. Perhaps the best description of his talents, according to his colleagues and local winemakers: “Tom Myers is the awesome winemakers’ winemaker.”
A maven in art of hospitality, Larry Shupnick is a leader in hotel management and ownership. Since the 1970s, he has been a tireless promoter of local food and wines in San Luis Obispo County, investing in new restaurants and wineries, introducing local winemakers to the finest winery owners and chefs in the world; his friendships, collaborations, and networks raised the quality of local wines and cuisine to new heights. He was the co-founder of the KCBX Wine Classic and founder of the San Luis Bay Food and Wine Society and the local chapter of Confrérie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs. He was the 2018 recipient of the Robert Mondavi Food and Wine Award.
Our 40-minute documentary, 91 Harvests, takes a loving look at four generations of a Paso Robles farming family, the Dusis. Famous for growing premium wine grapes which have been sought after by some of California’s top winemakers for decades, their story spans more than 100 years and 91 harvests. This film will be premiering on March 18, 2020, at the San Luis Obispo Film Festival.
In the 1920s, the formation of associations and co-ops was widespread in America. Many voluntary citizen cooperatives banded together to solve the problems of crime and lobbying for legislation. Agricultural publishing organizations created membership groups that kept farmers informed and connected them with a larger community
The Rotta Winery, located at 250 Winery Road in Templeton, was operated by three generations of Swiss-Italians: the first generation by brothers Joe and Clement Rotta, the second by Clement’s son Mervin, the third by Clement’s grandson, Michael Giubbini and his wife. The ownership by members of the Rotta family spanned from 1908 to 1976 and then again from 1990 to 2013. Grape growing and winemaking operations by the Rotta family are thought to have been established around 1917 or shortly thereafter. Known for its jug Zinfandel wine, the winery to develop a strong following among Southern California surfers, Cal Poly students, and the Hippie generation who continue to talk about their visits and memories of Romilda Rotta to the present day.
Adolph Siot was the first vintner in the area just west of the town of Templeton. The vineyards and winery that we know today as the Rotta Winery were established by Adolph Siot, who purchased the land in 1891 from the West Coast Land Company.
1930sAmerican Wine Labels: New York Wine Merchant Frank Schoonmaker developed the description that we read on a wine label today. The grape variety, which is listed below the name of the producer or the producer’s brand, is the most common way to designate wines in...
July Ackerman has been instrumental in shaping the wine history of the Paso Robles AVA and the Wine and Viticulture Program at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She served as the first Executive Director of the Paso Robles Vintners and Growers Association founded in 1992.
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.
Collection of rare bottles and tools from the California Gold Rush at the El Paso de Robles Area Historical Society.
The story of the Zinfandel Grape and early growers and winemakers.
June 2018
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