Cresta Blanca Winery facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cresta Blanca Winery |
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One of the original buildings of the Cresta Blanca winery that is today owned by Wente Vineyards.
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| Location | 5050 Arroyo Rd., Livermore, California |
| Governing body | Private |
| Designated | 1957 |
| Reference no. | 586 |
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Cresta Blanca Winery was a very important winery in the Livermore Valley area of California. It was started by a person named Charles Wetmore in 1882. He planted special grape vines, including some from famous places in France like Chateau d'Yquem.
In 1884, Cresta Blanca made its first white wine. This wine won a big award at the 1889 Paris Exposition in France. It was the very first time a California wine won a competition in France! This victory was super important. It helped show everyone that California could make great wines. This success also helped the whole California wine industry, which was having a tough time back then.
History of Cresta Blanca Winery
The winery got its name, Cresta Blanca, from a white limestone cliff nearby. "Cresta Blanca" means "white crest" in Spanish. Before a time called Prohibition, the winery was doing very well. Prohibition was a period in the United States when it was illegal to make or sell alcohol. Because of this law, Cresta Blanca Winery had to close down.
Charles Wetmore passed away before Prohibition ended. But his brother, Clarence, reopened the winery after the law was changed. In 1941, the winery was sold to a company called Schenley Distillers. They kept the business going until 1965, when they closed it. The name "Cresta Blanca" was then sold to another company.
The land where the winery stood was empty for many years. Then, in 1981, the Wente family bought the land. They brought the old winery back to life, calling it the "Sparkling Cellars." Today, Cresta Blanca Winery is recognized as California Historical Landmark #586. This means it's an important historical place in California.
Where Were the Vineyards?
The vineyards, which are fields where grapes are grown, were located in Livermore, California. You could find them on the south end of Arroyo Road.
