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| Landmark #505 | Santa Clara County | Visited: August 28, 2016 | Plaque? YES! 🙂 |
| What is it? | The decommissioned winery building of Almaden Vineyards! |
| What makes it historical? | THE GUIDE SAYS: On this site, in 1852, Charles LeFranc made the first commercial planting of fine European wine grapes in Santa Clara County to found Almaden Vineyards. LeFranc imported cuttings from vines in the celebrated wine districts of his native France, shipping them by sailing ship around the Horn.
OTHER TIDBITS: The vineyard itself was actually founded by Mr. LeFranc’s father-in-law, Etienne Theé, who planted vines from his home in France and named his new winery for the nearby New Almaden Quicksilver Mine! Mr. LeFranc then took over in 1857! At this winery, California’s first blush wine, the White Grenache Rosé, made its debut in 1958! |
| How can I Help the Helpers? | HERE’S HOW:
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| Where is this place? | LISTED DIRECTIONS: 1530 Blossom Hill Rd San Jose, CA 95118 ANNOTATIONS:
From Los Angeles: ~337mi (543km) — 5.7hrs |
| When should I go? | Whenever the mood strikes you! |
