Cresta Blanca Winery

Cresta Blanca Winery
One of the original buildings of the Cresta Blanca winery that is today owned by Wente Vineyards.
Location 5050 Arroyo Rd., Livermore, California
Coordinates 37°37′24″N 121°45′23″W / 37.623317°N 121.756267°W / 37.623317; -121.756267Coordinates: 37°37′24″N 121°45′23″W / 37.623317°N 121.756267°W / 37.623317; -121.756267
Governing body Private
Designated 1957[1]
Reference no. 586[1]
Location of Cresta Blanca Winery in California

Cresta Blanca Winery was one of the original Livermore Valley wineries. It was founded by Charles Wetmore in 1882 with cuttings of Sauvignon blanc from Chateau d'Yquem and other top Bordeaux properties.[2] Its first vintage, a dry white wine in 1884 won Grand Prize at the 1889 Paris Exposition, becoming the first California wine to win a competition in France. The victory also assured the future of the California wine industry, which had fallen upon hard times.[1]

History

Named for a white limestone cliff that dominates the Livermore Valley landscape, the winery was thriving prior to Prohibition, at which time it had to be shut down. Wetmore died before Prohibition's repeal, but it was re-opened by his brother Clarence. It was sold in 1941 to Schenley Distillers, who closed the business in 1965. The name was then sold to the Guild Wine Company in 1965. The land remained fallow until it was purchased by the Wente family in 1981, and revitalized as the "Sparkling Cellars."

The winery is registered as California Historical Landmark #586.[1]

Vineyards

The vineyards were located on the South end of Arroyo Road in Livermore, California.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Cresta Blanca Winery". Office of Historic Preservation, California State Parks. Retrieved 2012-03-30.
  2. ↑ http://www.kalincellars.com/prod03.htm
  • Old Pictures From Cresta Blanca
  • "Charles A. Wetmore and the Cresta blanca Winery". Humboldt Woodworkers Guild. Archived from the original on November 8, 2005. Retrieved January 24, 2006.
  • "Cresta Blanca," the most historic vineyard in California". Kalin Cellars. Retrieved January 24, 2006.
  • "Photograph and transcription of historical marker". Markeroni.omc. Archived from the original on August 5, 2014. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
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