The Second Wave Of “Gold” Seekers Focus On Dairies, Agriculture, Orchards And Vineyards
There is no doubt that the discovery of gold in California in 1848 profoundly shaped the history of nineteenth-century America. The astonishing discovery made San Francisco the destination of travelers around the world. Men and women planned to emigrate to California to seek their fortunes. They came by ship around the Cape Horn of South America and across the Isthmus of Panama, through Mexico to reach the Pacific Coast. From there, they boarded a ship to reach San Francisco Bay. They also came by foot and by wagon from the Midwest, across the plains, over the Rocky Mountains and through New Mexico and Sonora to find gold in California. California was declared a state in 1850, and San Luis Obispo was one of 27 counties formed in the same year.
An important group of men followed these “gold” seekers. They had wealth and essential resources to sell. We identify them as merchants and entrepreneurs, also known as the nursery men; they planned to increase their own fortunes by importing nursery stock for gardens, orchards, and vineyards to California. They knew that hundreds of thousands of emigrants moving to California needed food and drink to survive.
By 1852, over 300,000 immigrants were living in California. In the same year, many entrepreneurs, including sea captains, merchants, gardeners, plant breeders, and horticulturalists, were developing a new industry. These nursery men, growers of plants and trees, were well established in New England and New York. On their initial trips to California, these men mapped out the geographical areas in Northern and Central California to study the climate and the soils. They determined where to plant orchards, gardens, and vineyards that would thrive.
In 1852, they established commercial nurseries throughout California, including the Central Valley, the area now located between Sacramento and Fresno. They shipped thousands of plants and trees to California. They published journals, offered seminars on farming and grape growing, and formed horticultural societies to educate and recruit growers. The nurserymen planted experimental gardens in various areas of California and monitored the success of over 125 varieties of grapevines and multiple fruit trees. They continually shipped the plants to San Francisco Bay and Monterey Bay and developed major nurseries over the decades of the 1850s and 1860s.
As gold lost its luster, farmers and dairymen began moving south toward San Luis Obispo County. San Luis Obispo County has a Mediterranean climate that was familiar to those of French, Spanish, and Italian descent. They found land and began to plant crops, gardens, and vineyards and to raise cattle and sheep. Many migrants from Switzerland, Denmark, and the Netherlands were experienced dairymen. They purchased cows, produced dairy products, and made a variety of cheeses.
By the 1870s, San Luis Obispo County was well known for its produce, dairy products, wines, vineyards, and grains. People with capital to invest moved to the county to plant vineyards and develop a variety of businesses including banks, general stores, construction, rooming houses, hotels, restaurants, bars, blacksmithing, to name a few. The Tribune became the major newspaper.
Growers And Winemakers In San Luis Obispo County (1860 – 1891)
Here is the list of the growers and the grape varieties they grew. The information was collected from the annual reports (local census data) and the 1891 Directory of Grape Growers, Wine Makers and Distillers of California, compiled by the California Board of State Viticultural Commissioners. Most growers were not licensed as wine makers. Here is the list of licensed winemakers in 1891: The Ernst Brothers and J.V. Webster in Creston; Pierre Dallidet, Goldtree Bros., E. Guillemin, George W. Hampton, Capt. Harloe, and W.W. Hays in San Luis Obispo; J.R Anderson and Andrew York in Templeton. We continue to research these early viticulturalists.
Vineyards Planted in Arroyo Grande Valleys and Musick (4)
Grower D.F. Newsom
Location: White Sulphur Springs, Arroyo Grande
Source: Democratic Standard October 15, 1870
1860 Muscat of Alexandria
1877 Muscatel
1877 Burgundy
Winemaker: No
Business: Nurseryman, Owner of Nursery
Grower: Henry Ditmas
Location: Upper Arroyo Grande Valley
Location: Homestead of 560 acres adjoining Ranchita Arroyo Grande
1880: Zinfandel
1880: Muscat
1886: Rosa Ditmas and Henry Ditmas divorced. Henry left the area, and Rosa married A.B. Hasbrouck in 1886. Rosa became the owner of this vineyard and the surrounding property. Her descendants sold the property to the current owners, the Greenough family, in 1984. It is now known as Saucelito Canyon Vineyard and Winery.
Acreage: 40 acres in the vineyard.
Winemaker: No record of winemaking by Henry or Rosa Ditmas.
Grower: H. A. Vachell
Location: Mt. Buchon on coastal range near Arroyo Grande
Source: Myron Angel, Historian
1882: Wine grapes (varieties unknown)
Acreage: Unknown
Winemaker: No record of winemaking
Grower: A. B. Hasbrouck
Location: Upper Arroyo Valley on his ranch (St. Remy) in Musick
Source: Map of vineyard and list of vines written on the back of the map
Acreage: 40 acres
1884 – 1889:
Grenache
Zinfandel
Charbono
1886:
Riesling
Pinto
Muscat of Alexandria
Malaga
Black Hamburg
Rosé of Peru
Malvoisie (Cinsaut)
Lenoir (known as Black Spanish or Jacquez in France)
Carbonneau
1886:
Chasselas Rosé
Muscat
1887:
Zinfandel (Note that Rosa Ditmas married A.B. Hasbrouck in 1887), but Rosa continued to own the Saucelito Canyon land originally homesteaded by Henry Ditmas and the Zinfandel Vineyard planted by Henry Ditmas.
1889:
Champagne (this may be the earliest Champagne made in the county.)
Winemaker: Yes. He built the St. Remy Winery with local stone. It was built in 1885. St. Remy was located on his Ranchita near the Dairy Barn and pastures. He was known for his Cheesemaking. He organized the first cheese cooperative in his area.
1891:
Directory of Grape Growers, Wine Makers and Distillers of California by California Board State Viticultural Commissioners – Acres Wine Grape: 40 acres. His winery was not listed in the 1891 Directory of Grape Growers and Wine Makers. I do not know why this happened. Hasbrouck was winning awards for his wines at the time.
Vineyards and Winery Planted in Creston in North County (3)
Growers: William and Barbara Ernst
Location: Geneseo School District, Creston
1884: Purchased their land
1885: Planted orchard and vineyard
1889: Expanded vineyards.
Acreage: 8 acres
Varieties:
Zinfandel was major grape
Planted 24 other varieties including
Claret
White Zinfandel
Champagne
Sparkling Tokay
Mission Grape
1889 – 1902: Supported the Agricultural Experiment Station east of Paso Robles
Grower: John Ernst
Location: Location: Geneseo School District. Creston
1885: Purchased his land
1885: Planted his vineyards
1889: Expanded vineyards.
Acreage: 8 acres
Varieties:
Zinfandel was major grape
Other varieties were planted
Winemakers: William, John and Martin Ernest establish their winery as a partnership.
1891: Ernst Brothers established their winery.
1899: Ernst Brothers wine was sold abroad. It was the first wine in the county to ship wines abroad. They received many orders from France and Germany.
1900: William Ernst produced 1500 gallons of wine, John Ernst produced 1500 gallons of wine, and Martin Ernst produced 750 gallons of wine.
1900: Ernst Brothers produced dessert wines, including Malaga, Port, and Sherry.
Vineyards Planted in Estrella Valley, North County (1)
Grower: W.T. Sheid
Location: Estrella Valley
Source: Democratic Standard October 15, 1870
1870: Black Prince (later identified as Zinfandel)
Acreage: Unknown
Winemaker: No record of winemaking
Vineyards Planted in Templeton (6) North County
Grower: Jacob Grandstaff
Location: Ascension School District
1870: Mission Grapes grown in a small vineyard
1875: Homesteaded Land
Acreage: 112 acres
1882: Sold to Andrew and Huldah York
Grower: Adolph Siot
Location: Purchased land from West Coast Land Company in 1891.
Source: West Coast Land Company documents
Early 1890s: Zinfandel
Winemaker: Yes
1895: Established winery. Siot was the only commercial winery in Templeton until 1917.
Grower: J. R. Anderson
Location: Templeton (at base of York Mountain)
Source: Local newspapers of 19th Century and family records
1879: purchased 12 acres
1879: Varieties planted
Zinfandel
Burger
Production: Unknown
1879: built his own winery and purchased redwood tanks for storage
Winemaker: Yes
1891 Directory of Grape Growers, Wine Makers and Distillers of California by California Board of State Viticultural Commissioners – Acres Wine Grape: 12 acres
Grower: D.J. Mathews
Location: Templeton
Purchased: 5 acres
Varieties:
Zinfandel
Burger
Production: Unknown
Winemaker: No
1891 Directory of Grape Growers, Wine Makers and Distillers of California by California Board of State Viticultural Commissioners – Acres Wine Grape: 5 acres
Grower: S.G. Palmer
Location: Templeton
Acreage: 15 acres
Varieties:
Zinfandel
Burger
Winemaker: No
Grower: Andrew York
Location: Templeton (York Mountain)
Acreage: 40 acres (York Mountain)
1883: Planted his first vineyard of Zinfandel and Burger. Vines sourced from Napa.
Varieties:
Zinfandel (Cuttings obtained from Mac York, his brother, in Napa.)
Burger
Winemaker: Yes
Winery: Built his own winery from his own handmade bricks of clay. Completed in 1895.
Winery: First named Ascension Winery. The name changed to A. York and Sons when his sons joined their father as partners in the winery. In the office of the County Clerk-Recorder in SLO are records of deeds describing four transfers of land and ownership to Walter G. York and Silas A. York on March 17, 1903, April 13, 1906, September 28, 1915, and April 13, 1922.
Production 1891: 60 tons (Sold directly to neighbors in the early years.)
Vineyards Planted in San Luis Obispo Area (22)
Grower: J.P. Andrews – Grower
Location: San Luis Obispo area
Source: Democratic Standard October 15, 1870
1860: Old Mission Grape Varieties (Later identified as Listàn Prieto)
1860: Several of the “choicest foreign kinds” (unknown)
Acreage: 10 acres
Production: Unknown
Winemaker: No
1891: Directory of Grape Growers, Wine Makers and Distillers of California by California Board of State Viticultural Commissioners – Acres Wine Grape: 10 acres
Growers: Reuben Martin Bean and Edwin Petes Bean
Location: Stage Coach Road at the top of the Cuesta Grade at their hotel
1877: Mission Grapes
Grower: Mrs. F. Corren
Location: San Luis Obispo
Varieties: Unknown
Acreage: 8
Production: Unknown
Winemaker: No
1891 Directory of Grape Growers, Wine Makers and Distillers of California by California Board of State Viticultural Commissioners – Acres Wine Grape: 8 acres
Grower: Mrs. R. Castro
Location: San Luis Obispo
Varieties: Unknown
Acreage: 2
Production: Unknown
Winemaker: No
1891: Directory of Grape Growers, Wine Makers and Distillers of California by California Board of State Viticultural Commissioners – Acres Wine Grape: 2 acres
Grower: Mrs. Cervantes
Location: San Luis Obispo
Varieties: Unknown
Acreage: 2
Production: Unknown
Winemaker: No
1891 Directory of Grape Growers, Wine Makers and Distillers of California by California Board of State Viticultural Commissioners – Acres Wine Grape: 2 acres
Grower: J. Corbett
Location: San Luis Obispo
Varieties: Unknown
Acreage: 2
Production: Unknown
Winemaker: No
1891: Directory of Grape Growers, Wine Makers and Distillers of California by California Board State Viticultural Commissioners – Acres Wine Grape: 2 acres
Grower and Winemaker: Pierre Hypolite Dallidet
Location: San Luis Obispo adjacent to the old Mission Vineyard
1853: Pierre Dallidet arrived in SLO County with dreams of growing grapes, making wine.
1859: Pierre Dallidet purchases land adjacent to Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa and proceeds with plans to build an adobe home with a French wine cellar underneath in the basement area.
1860 Gardens, orchards and a vineyard with Zinfandel and Mission Grapes are planted adjacent to the Daillidet Adobe.
1864: Plants vineyard with Zinfandel and Mission grapes.
1865: He was the first licensed winemaker in SLO County. Exact date unknown.
1868: The Daily Republic, a San Luis Obispo newspaper, states Dallidet’s first bottling of wine was in the fall of 1868.
1870s: Dallidet grew cuttings from France; multiple varieties sent to him by the French “Ambassador” in San Francisco to preserve French varieties destroyed in the Phylloxera Epidemic in France. However, he planted over 200 varieties of grapes, the majority from French cuttings, including Carbono, Black Malaga, and Muscat of Alexandria. Dallidet also discovered that local grape stalk was resistant to Phylloxera.
1881: First winemaker in San Luis Obispo to make blended wines. He built a French wine cellar under his home and aged his wines in the French style.
1883: Dallidet’s 7-acre vineyard contained 7,200 vines, producing 3,300 gallons of wine per year. His wines aged well and were compared favorably to French wines.
1884: Dallidet earned $250 per acre from grape and wine sales, according to an article published in the Telegram – Tribune.
1886: Dallidet 635 gallons of Chardonnay and 2,717 gallons of Mission Wine which was very popular and praised in a variety of journals and newspapers.
1889: The Daily Republic reported on October 3, 1889: “Until the last two or three years, there was scarcely any wine made except by Mr. Dallidet, who usually made 6,000 to 8,000 gallons yearly and a few hundred gallons of brandy. Wine made from the Mission grapes bottled 20 years ago is now equal to the best chateau wine of France.
1891: First licensed distillery in San Luis Obispo County.
Winemaker: Yes
1891: Directory of Grape Growers, Wine Makers and Distillers of California by California Board State Viticultural Commissioners – Acres Wine Grape: 11 acres
Growers and Winemakers: Goldtree Brothers (Nathan. Isaac, Marcus and Morrie)
Location: Current Site of SLO High School
Source: Myron Angel, Historian
1870 -1891:
Zinfandel
Riesling
Acreage: 90
Winemakers: Yes
Production: 4,000 gallons
1891: Directory of Grape Growers, Wine Makers and Distillers of California by California
Board State Viticultural Commissioners – Acres Wine Grape: 90 acres
Winemaker: F. Guillemin
Not a grape grower
Winemaker: Yes
Production: Unknown
1891 Directory of Grape Growers, Wine Makers and Distillers of California by California Board of State Viticultural Commissioners – Acres Wine Grape: No acres
Grower and Winemaker: George W. Hampton, known as the man who planted 1,000 vines
Location: Location: San Luis Obispo area (4 acres)
Source: Myron Angel, Historian
1870s: Planted nine European varieties but no Mission vines.
Muscat of Alexandria
Chasselas de Fontainebleau
Fisher Zagos
Black Malvasia
Black Morocco
Rose of Peru
Flame Tokay
Early Victoria
Black Hamburg
Production: Unknown
Winemaker: Yes
1891: Directory of Grape Growers, Wine Makers and Distillers of California by California Board of State Viticultural Commissioners – Acres Wine Grape: 4 acres
Grower and Winemaker: Capt. Harloe
Location: San Luis Obispo
Varieties: Unknown
Acreage: 1 acre
Winemaker: Yes
Production: Unknown
1891: Directory of Grape Growers, Wine Makers and Distillers of California by California Board of State Viticultural Commissioners – Acres Wine Grape: 1 acre
Grower: Dr. W.W. Hays
Location: north of the city of San Luis Obispo
1882: Planted a large vineyard of 15 acres
Varieties:
Muscat
Mataro
Black Morocco
Zinfandel
Chasselas
Winemaker: yes
Production: Unknown
1891: Directory of Grape Growers, Wine Makers and Distillers of California by California Board of State Viticultural Commissioners – Acres Wine Grape: 15 acres
Grower: J.H. Hollister & Co.
Location: San Luis Obispo
Varieties:
Mission
Acreage: 14
Production: Unknown
Winemaker: No
1891: Directory of Grape Growers, Wine Makers and Distillers of California by California Board of State Viticultural Commissioners – Acres Wine Grape: 14 acres
Grower: Charles H. Johnson
Location: San Luis OBispo
Varieties: Unknown
Acreage: 8
Winemaker: No
Production: Unknown
1891: Directory of Grape Growers, Wine Makers and Distillers of California by California Board of State Viticultural Commissioners – Acres Wine Grape: 8 acres
Grower: J.J. Johnson
Location: San Luis Obispo
Varieties: Unknown
Acreage: 8
Winemaker: No
Production: Unknown
1891: Directory of Grape Growers, Wine Makers and Distillers of California by California Board of State Viticultural Commissioners – Acres Wine Grape: 8 acres
Grower: A.M. Kurtz
Location: San Luis Obispo
Varieties: Unknown
Acreage: 8
Winemaker: No
Production: Unknown
1891: Directory of Grape Growers, Wine Makers and Distillers of California by California Board of State Viticultural Commissioners – Acres Wine Grape: 8 acres
Grower: Frank McCoppin (former Mayor of San Francisco)
Location: San Luis Obispo-Santa Lucia Mountains in Van Ness Canyon
He purchased land that had previously been owned by the Bank of California. He planned to have the largest vineyard yet in the county with plans to plant 160,000 vines.
Source: Myron Angel, Historian
Tribune 1881 edition April 30 ( Article describes purchased land near the city of SLO.)
Tribune 1882 edition March 25 (Article states McCoppin is preparing to set out the largest vineyard in the county with 160,000 cuttings.)
1882: McCoppin plants 70,000 vines of wine grapes (varieties unknown).
Tribune 1883 edition May 22 (Dr. Hays visits the vineyard and reports over 70,000 vines have been planted.)
Planned for 90,000 more vines to be planted in subsequent years
Acreage: 40 acres
Production: Unknown
Winemaker: No
1891: Directory of Grape Growers, Wine Makers and Distillers of California by California Board of State Viticultural Commissioners – Acres Wine Grape: 40 acres
Grower: L. Maxwell
Location: San Luis Obispo
Varieties: Unknown
Acreage: 10 acres
Production: Unknown
Winemaker: No
1891: Directory of Grape Growers, Wine Makers and Distillers of California by California Board of State Viticultural Commissioners – Acres Wine Grape: 10 acres
Grower: Meister Brothers
Location: Rancho of Santa Ysabel
Source: Democratic Standard October 15, 1870
Source: Democratic Standard January 28, 1871
1860: Reviving old Mission Vineyard
1860s: Muscat of Alexandria
1860s: Black Hamburg
1860s: Black Malvoise
1860s: Golden Chasselas
Acreage: Unknown
1860s: White Tokay
Production: Unknown
Winemaker: Unknown
Grower: L. Minoli
Location: San Luis Obispo
Varieties: Unknown
Acreage: 2
Production: Unknown
Winemaker: No
1891: Directory of Grape Growers, Wine Makers and Distillers of California by California Board of State Viticultural Commissioners – Acres Wine Grape: 2 acres
Grower: P. Quintana
Location: San Luis Obispo
Varieties: Unknown
Acreage: 4
Production: Unknown
Winemaker: No
1891: Directory of Grape Growers, Wine Makers and Distillers of California by California Board of State Viticultural Commissioners – Acres Wine Grape: 4 acres
Grower: George Steele
Location: San Luis OBispo
Varieties: Unknown
Acreage: 10
Production: Unknown
Winemaker: No
1891: Directory of Grape Growers, Wine Makers and Distillers of California by California Board of State Viticultural Commissioners – Acres Wine Grape: 10 acres
Footnote:
If you wish to explore the early instructions on how to make wine in SLO County, please read the article on San Luis Obispo’s earliest winemaking instructions, published in 1868.
