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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

The South County Growers, Winemakers, and Inventors Who Shaped The Wine History of Edna Valley, Arroyo Grande Valley Upper And Lower The City of San Luis Obispo And the Southern Central Coast

The South County Growers, Winemakers, and Inventors Who Shaped The Wine History of Edna Valley, Arroyo Grande Valley Upper And Lower The City of San Luis Obispo And the Southern Central Coast

Libbie established The Wine History Project of San Luis Obispo County in 2015 to study the land, microclimates, grape varieties, growers, and winemakers who have shaped the wine history of the county. She interviewed hundreds of people and worked with the older generations of growers and winemakers to identify the important people and historical events that shaped local wine history. Libbie believes that history must be shared in a variety of ways to reach the public; each exposure should add joy and a sense of adventure to the experience. The Wine History Project shares the unique history of “SLO” county by making documentary films, organizing art events paired with wine, developing exhibits to place in the vineyards, gardens, parks, and historic buildings. You will find written history, descriptions of historic wine tools and equipment and photographs on our website, in our books and publications and in our monthly newsletters.newsletters.

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Preserving Terroir: San Luis Obispo Wine Historian Libbie Agran Donates Collection To UC Davis Library

Preserving Terroir: San Luis Obispo Wine Historian Libbie Agran Donates Collection To UC Davis Library

The UC Davis Library — home to the world’s most comprehensive wine research collection — is now the steward of a unique archive donated by Central Coast wine historian Libbie Agran and the Wine History Project of San Luis Obispo County. The donation, which includes $250,000 to support long-term preservation and access, ensures that the stories, culture and contributions of one of The UC Davis Library — home to the world’s most comprehensive wine research collection — is now the steward of a unique archive donated by Central Coast wine historian Libbie Agran and the Wine History Project of San Luis Obispo County. The donation, which includes $250,000 to support long-term preservation and access, ensures that the stories, culture and contributions of one of California’s most distinctive wine regions will be shared with generations of students, scholars and thousands who live and work in wine regions throughout California.California’s most distinctive wine regions will be shared with generations of students, scholars and thousands who live and work in wine regions throughout California.

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Wine Postcard Stories – Postcard Collection of Gail Unzelman: Theodore Gier Wine Co.: A Pre-Prohibition Wine Industry

Wine Postcard Stories – Postcard Collection of Gail Unzelman: Theodore Gier Wine Co.: A Pre-Prohibition Wine Industry

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Ambitious, and determined from an early age to establish a career in the California wine trade, young Hanoverian Theodore Gier (1860-1931) sailed in 1881 from his native Germany to America. Two years later he was settled in Oakland, across the Bay from San Francisco, to become one of the most successful, and powerful, wine men in pre-Prohibition California. Gier, “of slight frame and of uncommon nervous tension” was a public-spirited and progressive citizen, a recognized business leader whose ownership interests included a bar and saloon, bank founder, real estate developer, resort owner, and city philanthropist. His huge Oakland-based wine and liquor operations, wholesale & retail, counted five locations in Oakland, along with numerous vineyards and wineries in Napa County and the Livermore Valley. In 1910 Gier incorporated as the Theodore Gier Vineyard & Wine Co., with a capitalization of two million dollars. In a few years, the company had annual sales of just over three hundred thousand gallons of wine.

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Libbie Agran Wins Lifetime Achievement Award – July 18, 2025

Libbie Agran Wins Lifetime Achievement Award – July 18, 2025

Now, this extraordinary body of work will have a permanent home at UC Davis, ensuring the stories and artifacts Agran preserved remain accessible for generations. The project’s collection was recently donated to the UC Davis Library’s Archives and Special Collections, adding another dimension to what is considered by many to be the world’s most comprehensive wine research collection.

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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

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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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Collaborations & Memberships

Exhibitions

Grape Expectations: Break Their Hearts…and Have No Mercy

Grape Expectations: Break Their Hearts…and Have No Mercy

Objects on display from the Wine History Project of San Luis Obispo County collections. Copper Demi-Jon Bottle Funne, 1910 Copper Pitcher, 1920-1930 3 Stoneware Jugs, 1920-1935 NAMCO Wine Grape Juice, 1931 VINE-GLO Fruit Industries Grape Concentrate, 1920-1933 Fruit...

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Wine Becomes Art at SLOMA

Wine Becomes Art at SLOMA

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.

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Contact Us

We would love to hear from you.