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 old and important winery in the Livermore Valley area of California. It was started by a man named Charles Wetmore in 1882. He used special grapevines from famous places in France, like Chateau d'Yquem, to begin his vineyards.
In 1884, Cresta Blanca made its first white wine. This wine won a huge award called the Grand Prize at the 1889 Paris Exposition in France. This was a big deal because it was the first time a California wine had ever won a competition in France! This victory was very important. It helped show everyone that California could make great wines, and it gave a boost to the entire California wine industry, which was struggling at the time.
Contents
The Winery's Story
How Cresta Blanca Got Its Name
The winery was named "Cresta Blanca" because of a white limestone cliff in the Livermore Valley. "Cresta Blanca" means "white crest" in Spanish, which describes the cliff perfectly.
Challenges and Changes Over Time
The winery was doing very well before a time in history called Prohibition. During Prohibition, it was against the law to make or sell alcohol in the United States. Because of this, Cresta Blanca Winery had to close down.
Charles Wetmore, the founder, passed away before Prohibition ended. However, his brother, Clarence Wetmore, reopened the winery after the law was changed.
In 1941, the winery was sold to a company called Schenley Industries. They kept the business going until 1965, when they decided to close it. The name "Cresta Blanca" was then sold to another company, Guild Wine Company, in the same year.
The land where the winery stood was empty for many years. Then, in 1981, the Wente family bought the land. They brought it back to life and turned it into "Sparkling Cellars," where they make sparkling wines.
A Historic Place
Cresta Blanca Winery is recognized as an important historical site. It is registered as California Historical Landmark #586. This means it's a special place that helps tell the story of California's past.
Cresta Blanca on TV
In the early 1950s, Cresta Blanca Winery was a sponsor for a popular television show called "Amos and Andy." They had commercials that were in black and white, since color television was very new back then. These commercials talked about the "historic Cresta Blanca Winery" and its "cool white limestone caves" in Livermore, California.
Where the Grapes Grew
The vineyards for Cresta Blanca Winery were located on the south end of Arroyo Road in Livermore, California. This area is known for its good climate and soil for growing grapes.
