Leland Stanford Winery facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Leland Stanford Winery |
|
|---|---|
Leland Stanford Winery circa 1893
|
|
| Location | 330 Stanford Ave., Fremont, California |
| Built | 1869 |
| Designated | 1958 |
| Reference no. | 642 |
The Leland Stanford Winery was a famous place where wine was made in Fremont, California. It was started by a very important person named Leland Stanford in 1869. His brother, Josiah Stanford, helped by planting the grapevines.
This winery was owned by a company called Weibel Champagne Vineyards until 1996. Today, the land where the winery once stood has houses built on it. Only one old brick building remains. This winery was the third one owned by Leland Stanford. It is now a special place known as a California Historical Landmark.
Contents
The Winery's Story
The land where the Leland Stanford Winery was built has a long history. It was once part of a large area called Rancho Agua Caliente. This was a land grant given by Mexico in 1836. The name "Agua Caliente" means "warm water." It refers to the warm springs found in the nearby hills.
Early Days and a Hotel
In 1850, a man named Clement Columbet bought a big piece of this land. He opened a place called the Warm Springs Hotel. This hotel was a popular resort for rich people from the San Francisco Bay Area. They visited it during the 1850s and 1860s. Sadly, a big earthquake in 1868 destroyed the hotel.
Leland Stanford Buys the Land
In 1869, Leland Stanford bought the hotel's site and about 100 acres of land. He then started his winery there. Leland Stanford was a very important person. He was a businessman, a politician, and later founded Stanford University.
His brother, Josiah Stanford, was in charge of the winery. Josiah planted all the grapevines. He also managed how the wine was made. In 1893, Josiah Stanford took over the winery after his brother passed away. By 1898, the property had grown to be very large, covering 1,225 acres.
Challenges for the Winery
Even though the winery was successful, it faced some tough times. Tiny insects called phylloxera attacked the grapevines. These pests can destroy whole vineyards. The winery also went through two major earthquakes. One of these was the very famous 1906 San Francisco earthquake.
In 1945, a company called Weibel Champagne Vineyards bought the winery. They changed its name.
Making Wine at the Winery
By 1893, the Leland Stanford Winery was making a huge amount of wine. They produced about 320,000 gallons! This winery was also special because it was the first in California to make sparkling wine. Sparkling wine is bubbly, like champagne.
Other Farm Products
The winery wasn't just about grapes and wine. The property also had an orchard where fruit trees grew. They also produced hay, which is dried grass used for animal feed. And they raised beef cattle. They even had lemon trees growing there!
