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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

Central Coast Timeline: Early Wine History

Wine - 16th to 18th Century History

Early Explorers, the Missions Era, and the Mexican Period.

Art Norman (1933-2006)

Grower, Winemaker, Winery Owner/Founder

Art initiated a movement of small growers focusing on premium grapes for local winemakers crafting small production fine wines when, in 1972, he planted the first vineyards of Zinfandel and Barbera on Vineyard Drive in the Adelaida region in west Paso Robles.

Doug and Nancy Beckett, Peachy Canyon Winery

Grower, Winemaker, Winery Owner/Founder

Doug and Nancy Beckett enjoyed California wines in the early 1970s, never dreaming that they would found their own winery, Peachy Canyon Winery, and become internationally known for the quality of their Zinfandel wines which have been sold in every state of the nation, Europe, Asia, Canada, and Mexico.

The Tobias Vineyard

Wine - 1980s History

The first vintage of Tobias 1980 Zinfandel won gold medals at the Santa Barbara County Fair and the San Luis Obispo County Fair. Tobias Vineyard was the smallest winery in San Luis Obispo County at the time.

Talley Family

Grower, Winemaker, Winery Owner/Founder

The Talley family established Talley Farms and Talley Vineyards, farmed by three generations since 1948, to provide premium quality vegetables to thousands of local customers, produce markets and restaurants for over 72 years.

Clarence Casteel (1879-1953) and Melvin Casteel (1914-1980)

Grower

The Casteel family was one of the early pioneers to settle in Dover Canyon in 1887. Four generations of the Casteel family have worked and owned ranches in Northern San Luis Obispo County. Clarence Casteel planted vineyards in 1914 at the east end of Jensen Road. His son Mel who worked in those vineyards, later acquired his father’s ranch property in 1956 and became well known for his Zinfandel grapes grown on some of the oldest Zinfandel clones in California. He sold his grapes to many winemakers including David Benion of Ridge Vineyards in Santa Clara County, who favored old vine Zinfandel.

Wines in the White House – Talley Vineyards served in the Clinton and George W. Bush Administrations

Wine - 1990s History, Wine – 2000s History, Wines in the White House

The wines of San Luis Obispo County have traveled to Washington D.C. to be served at inaugurations, celebrations, state and holiday luncheons, and family dinners at the White House and Camp David during the administrations of Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama. This series of articles celebrates the wineries and winemakers who produced these historic wines.

Wines in the White House – Creston Manor Wines for George H. W. Bush Inauguration and York Mountain Wines at State Dinner

Wine - 1980s History, Wine - 1990s History, Wines in the White House

Our fourth article on wines in the White House covers San Luis Obispo County wines served during the George H. W. Bush administration from January 1989 to January 1993.

Wines in the White House – Edna Valley Vineyard Wines Served During the Reagan, Bush and Clinton Administrations

Wine - 1980s History, Wine - 1990s History, Wines in the White House

Photos courtesy of Edna Valley Vineyard.President Ronald Reagan Introduced California Wines at the White House As a California resident and a former governor, Ronald Reagan had strong ties to the local wine industry. California wines were receiving national and...