Almaden Vineyards, Historic winery in San Jose, California
Almaden Vineyards is a winery located in the Almaden Valley near San Jose on rocky soil terrain. The property benefits from Pacific evening breezes that aid in grape cultivation across the vineyard.
The winery was founded in 1852 by Éthienne Thée and became California's first commercial wine producer. Its name came from a nearby quicksilver mine that once operated in the area.
The winery shares California's wine traditions through tastings of several grape varieties grown on the property. Visitors experience firsthand how the local climate shapes the flavors of wines made here.
Plan to spend enough time exploring the grounds and tasting wines at your own pace. Wear comfortable shoes and bring sun protection when visiting the outdoor vineyard areas.
During Prohibition the operation survived by selling grapes for juice production rather than wine. In 1958 the winery introduced a pink wine that became one of the first popular ones of its kind across the nation.
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