The Story of Almaden Vineyards
ONE OF CALIFORNIA'S FIRST WINERIES

More than 150 years ago, a Frenchman named Etienne Theé left his home in Bordeaux and ventured to America, carrying with him a dream.  The young émigré from one of the world’s most renowned wine regions settled near Los Gatos, California in 1852 and set about planting grapes.  Inspired by the name of a nearby quicksilver mine, Theé gave his dream a name — Almaden Vineyards.  It was from these humble roots that California’s celebrated wine country first began to grow.

Following in the footsteps of his pioneering father-in-law, Charles Lefranc took on the role of winemaker at Almaden Vineyards with passion and drive.  An innovative thinker, Lefranc believed the key to making great wines began in Europe — in the “Old World” of wine.   Lefranc traveled to Europe and returned with superior vinifera (wine) grape cuttings, which he then planted in Almaden’s own California vineyards.  Lefranc was one of the first winemakers to bring plantings to the “New World,” and his experimental vision proved fruitful.

Under Lefranc’s direction, Almaden Vineyards began to gain national and international attention.  Lefranc trained his family in the ways of the winery, eventually handing over the reins of Almaden to his son Henry and his son-in-law, Paul Masson.  Masson later left to found his own winery, still in existence today.

Following Prohibition, Almaden’s leadership was passed to Louis Benoist of San Francisco.  With the help of Frank Schoonmaker, a nationally recognized wine authority and wine marketer, Benoist was able to expand the distribution of Almaden wines throughout the United States.  Almaden Vineyards quickly became one of America’s favorite wineries.

Like Almaden’s founder, Etienne Theé, Schoonmaker believed in the incredible potential of California’s young vineyards.  Partnering with Oliver Goulet, Winemaker and Champagne Master, Schoonmaker helped develop a line of wines made with grapes grown in the vineyards of the San Joaquin Valley.  They named these wines Almaden Mountain Wines, and bottled them in their now-famous teardrop-shaped bottle.  It didn’t take long for these new wines to catch on — Almaden Mountain Wines quickly became a staple of wine drinkers all across the country.

But these accomplishments haven’t been Almaden Vineyard’s only contributions to California’s young wine industry.  Encouraged by Schoonmaker to experiment with new wines, Goulet was the first winemaker to release a “blush” wine — Almaden’s White Grenache Rosé — the first popular pink wine in the United States.

Building on its own success and the ever-growing popularity of California’s wine country, Almaden Vineyards developed the world’s largest varietal grapes vineyard at Paicines, California in 1958.  Four years later in 1962, the demand was so high for Almaden wines that the winery had to hire an additional winemaker.  The winemaking team has since continued to expand, and along with it,  Almaden’s reputation for making classic wines for everyday.

Beginning as the simple dream of a young French-American, the story of Almaden Vineyards is one of a rich heritage marked by innovation and success.  More than 150 years later, Almaden Vineyards remains committed to producing high quality wines at a price attractive to wine drinkers.  Today, Almaden continues to be one of America’s favorite wines.