|
Previous: The Pioneers From The
Alps
The Mission and The Guv
The
Mission San Jose acreage was originally owned in the 1800s by
California Governor Leland Stanford. Some say that Stanford's
original plan was to build a university there to honor the
untimely death of his fifteen-year-old son. But Mrs. Stanford
thought that the educational memorial would be better suited on
a parcel west, across the bay in Palo Alto - affectionately
known then as "The Farm". It is today known as Stanford
University. Once the decision was made in 1869 to found the
university in Palo Alto, the Stanfords proceeded to build a
winery annexed with newly planted vineyards. It also turns out
that the afternoon breeze off the bay was just the cool relief
needed for the sun-drenched grapes of Mission San Jose.
While the university across the bay thrived into the next
century the Leland Stanford Winery did not. The vineyards went
fallow because of the potent punch of phylloxera and
prohibition. In 1917, the Stanfords finally sold the winery. The
next thirty years saw various owners and commercial uses,
including a period when it was a horse-racing track!
 |
| An Old Wine Press |
Next: Family and Vineyard Replanted
|