The Finding Aid of the Southern California Wine and Wine Industry Oral History Collection 0024
Rob Strauss and Alex Dan
The processing of this collection and the creation of this finding aid was funded by the generous support of the National
Historical Publications and Records Commission.
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Special Collections and Archives
September 2018
3801 West Temple Avenue
Pomona, CA 91768
speccollections@cpp.edu
Title: Southern California Wine and Wine Industry Oral History Collection
Creator:
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Special Collections and Archives
Identifier/Call Number: 0024
Language of Material: English
Contributing Institution:
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Special Collections and Archives
Physical Description:
4.38 Linear Feet
(11 boxes)
Date (inclusive): circa 1970-2012
Abstract: The collection includes oral history interviews conducted by Cal Poly Pomona Special Collections and Archives, the City of
Rancho Cucamonga, the Upland Public Library, and the Temecula Valley Museum. The interviewees discuss various topics related
to Southern California wine history including agriculture, viticulture, local wineries, and agricultural labor.
Sponsor
The processing of this collection and the creation of this finding aid was funded by the generous support of the National
Historical Publications and Records Commission.
Conditions Governing Access
Advance notice required for access.
Conditions Governing Use
Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from the repository
and the copyright holder.
Preferred Citation
[Box/folder# or item name], Southern California Wine and Wine Industry Oral History Collection, Collection no. 0024, Southern
California Wine and Wine Industry Collection, Special Collections and Archives, University Library, California State Polytechnic
University, Pomona.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The oral history interviews were conducted by California State Polytechnic University, Pomona Special Collections and Archives
staff between 2002 and 2012. Additional interviews were donated to California State Polytechnic University, Pomona by the
City of Rancho Cucamonga in 1998 and 2006; by the Escondido Historical Society in 2003; by Jerry LaPointe in 2002; by the
Temecula Valley Museum in 2003; and by the Upland Public Library in 2001.
Scope and Contents
The collection includes oral history interviews conducted by Cal Poly Pomona Special Collections and Archives, the City of
Rancho Cucamonga, the Upland Public Library, and the Temecula Valley Museum. The interviewees discuss various topics related
to Southern California wine history including agriculture, viticulture, local wineries, and agricultural labor. Some of the
wineries mentioned include the Italian Vineyard Company, Cucamonga Winery, Orfila, Shadow Mountain, Romolo, Brookside, Virginia
Dare (Garrett & Co.), Galleano, and Filippi. There are also interviews relating to Fruit Industries, a wine cooperative formed
during Prohibition, and the Cucamonga Pioneer Vineyard Association, a cooperative of growers that ran a winery.
The collection also includes two interviews with Enrique Vasquez, who led a farm workers' strike in 1933 in San Bernardino
and Riverside Counties.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged alphabetically by the interviewee's last name.
Related Materials
Copies of the original recordings and transcripts of some of the interviews in this collection are available from the Upland
Public Library at https://archive.org/details/uplandlibrary and from the City of Rancho Cucamonga at https://www.cityofrc.us/about/local_history/stories/oral.
Other related materials for this collection include:
Cucamonga Winery Collection, Collection no. 0076, Southern California Wine and Wine Industry Collection, Special Collections
and Archives, University Library, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
Donald Galleano Collection, Collection no. 0073, Southern California Wine and Wine Industry Collection, Special Collections
and Archives, University Library, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
Gail G. Unzelman Collection of Historic Winery Photographs, Stationery, and Postcards, Collection no. 0027, Southern California
Wine and Wine Industry Collection, Special Collections and Archives, University Library, California State Polytechnic University,
Pomona.
Joseph Filippi Winery Collection, Collection no. 0028, Southern California Wine and Wine Industry Collection, Special Collections
and Archives, University Library, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
Louis Cherpin Winery Collection, Collection no. 0080, Southern California Wine and Wine Industry Collection, Special Collections
and Archives, University Library, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
Pauley Family Collection, Collection no. 0035, Southern California Wine and Wine Industry Collection, Special Collections
and Archives, University Library, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
Romolo Winery Collection, Collection no. 0079, Southern California Wine and Wine Industry Collection, Special Collections
and Archives, University Library, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
Southern California Wine and Wine Industry Ephemera Collection, Collection no. 0013, Southern California Wine and Wine Industry
Collection, Special Collections and Archives, University Library, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
Southern California Wine and Wine Industry Photograph Collection, Collection no. 0012, Southern California Wine and Wine
Industry Collection, Special Collections and Archives, University Library, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
Southern California Wine and Wine Industry Realia Collection, Collection no. 0084, Southern California Wine and Wine Industry
Collection, Special Collections and Archives, University Library, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
William F. Heintz Papers, Collection no. 0030, Southern California Wine and Wine Industry Collection, Special Collections
and Archives, University Library, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
Processing Information
The collection was processed by Rob Strauss and Alex Dan in September 2018.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Wine industry - California - History
Wine and wine making - California
Agricultural laborers--California.
Guasti (Calif.) -- History
Rancho Cucamonga (Calif.)--History
Brookside Winery
Cucamonga Winery
Fruit Industries, Ltd.
Galleano Winery
Garrett & Company (Weldon, N.C.)
Joseph Filippi Winery
Orfila Vineyards and Winery
Romolo Winery
Shadow Mountains Vineyard
Oral histories
box 1, folder 1-3
Accomazzo, Edmund
2002 March 13
Interview Audio Recording (Digital Version)
Physical Description: (One transcript, one draft transcript, and two audiocassettes)
Scope and Contents
Edmund Accomazzo, manager of Cucamonga Winery, describes his family history, his life as a wine maker, and the history of
the Cucamonga Winery. The interview was conducted by Danette Cook Adamson of California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
box 1, folder 4
Aggazzotti, Joan Lopez
1993 January 6
Physical Description: (One transcript)
Scope and Contents
Joan Lopez Aggazzotti started her own winery, Aggazzotti Winery, with her husband, Carlo Aggazzotti, in 1950. Aggazzotti discusses
her life with her husband, the winery they established in Rancho Cucamonga, California, and Carlo's role as an enologist for
the Regina Winery. The interview was conducted for the City of Rancho Cucamonga.
box 1, folder 4
Aguilera, Ray
2012 February 29
Interview Audio Recording (Digital Version)
Physical Description: (Two audiocassettes)
Scope and Contents
Ray Aguilera recounts what it was like to work at the winery in Guasti, California as a Mexican-American. He also describes
the conditions of working as an agricultural worker in Guasti. The interview was conducted by Danette Cook Adamson of California
State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
box 1, folder 6-8
Ballou, Sanford
1978 April 6
Physical Description: (One transcript, two audiocassettes, and two 1/4 inch audio tapes)
Scope and Contents
Sanford Ballou grew up on the family ranch in Guasti, California and his family ran a vineyard and hay ranch in Rincon in
San Diego County. Sanford describes his family history and the history of his family's winery. The interview was conducted
for the Upland Public Library.
box 2, folder 1
Barrington, Marguerite Lafourcade
1992 October 21
Physical Description: (One transcript)
Scope and Contents
Marguerite Lafourcade Barrington shares her experiences at her family's ranch in Cucamonga, California (a community later
incorporated into Rancho Cucamonga) and her father's involvement with vineyards and orange groves in Devore, California. The
interview was conducted for the City of Rancho Cucamonga.
box 2, folder 2
Biane, Philo
1991 November 14
Physical Description: (One transcript)
Scope and Contents
Philo Biane recalls his family's winemaking history and his time working for Fruit Industries, a wine cooperative formed during
Prohibition. Biane also ran Brookside Winery in Guasti, California. The interview was conducted for the City of Rancho Cucamonga.
Biane, Philo
1998 February
Interview Audio Recording (Digital Version)
Scope and Contents
Philo Biane, former operator of the Brookside Winery. The interview was conducted by Danette Cook Adamson of California State
Polytechnic University, Pomona.
box 2, folder 3
Biane, Philo with Paul Biane
1996 October 26
Physical Description: (One videocassette)
Scope and Contents
An interview with Philo Biane, former operator of the Brookside Winery, by his grandson, Paul Biane.
box 2, folder 4
Biane, Rene
1978 June 26
Physical Description: (One transcript and one computer disk)
Scope and Contents
This is the first of two interviews with Rene Biane, part of the Biane family of winemakers. The Biane family, originally
known as the Vache family, immigrated to California from France in 1832. They first began a wine merchant business in Monterey,
California and eventually settled in Redlands, California, where they established the Brookside Winery.
The interview was conducted by Dr. Robert Collins, whose affiliation is unclear. The original transcript of this interview
is held at the Ontario Public Library.
box 2, folder 5-6
Biane, Rene
2007 September 10
Interview Audio Recording (Digital Version)
Physical Description: (Six audiocassettes, and one computer disk)
Scope and Contents
This is the second of two interviews with Rene Biane, part of the Biane family of winemakers. The Biane family, originally
known as the Vache family, immigrated to California from France in 1832. They first began a wine merchant business in Monterey,
California and eventually settled in Redlands, California, where they established the Brookside Winery.
The interview was conducted by Danette Cook Adamson of California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
box 3, folder 1
Blair, Trudy Schiro and Walter Blair
1993 July 22
Physical Description: (One transcript)
Scope and Contents
Trudi Schiro Blair and her husband, Walter, recall their family winery, local businesses, changes of the vineyards over the
years, and the life she built with husband Walter in Cucamonga, California (a community later incorporated into Rancho Cucamonga).
The interview was conducted for the City of Rancho Cucamonga.
box 3, folder 2
Borel, Alex and Annie
1999 September 14
Physical Description: (Two videocassettes)
Scope and Contents
Alex Borel, founder of French Valley Vineyards, and his daughter, Annie Borel describe the Borel family history, Alex's life
as a winemaker, and the start of the French Valley Vineyards in Temecula, California. The Borels were interviewed for the
Temecula Valley Museum.
box 3, folder 3-5
Cherpin, Eugene
2006 August 29
Interview Audio Recording (Digital Version)
Physical Description: (Two transcripts and two audiocassettes)
Scope and Contents
Eugene Cherpin discusses his career in the Cucamonga region's winemaking trade, the American alcoholic beverage distributor
Heublein, and his role as a manager of food processing plants. The interview was conducted by Danette Cook Adamson of California
State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
box 4, folder 1-2
Cherpin, Joe
2005 September 13
Interview Audio Recording (Digital Version)
Physical Description: (One transcript and one audiocassette)
Scope and Contents
Joe and his wife Colleen discuss his family's winery located in Fontana, California; the impact of Prohibition on vintners;
and winemaking in the Cucamonga and Temecula regions. The interview was conducted by Danette Cook Adamson of California State
Polytechnic University, Pomona.
box 4, folder 3-4
Cilurzo, Vincent and Audrey
1999 September 1
Physical Description: (Two videocassettes)
Scope and Contents
Vincent Cilurzo, founder of Cilurzo Vineyard & Winery, and his wife Audrey Cilurzo describe their childhood, family, and the
history of the Cilurzo Vineyard & Winery in Temecula, California. The interview was conducted for the Temecula Valley Museum.
box 5, folder 1-2
Corregia, David and Marie
1977 January 24
Physical Description: (One transcript and one audiocassette)
Scope and Contents
David and Marie Corregia discuss their families, their life together in Guasti, California and their connection to the Southern
California wine industry. The interview was conducted for the Upland Public Library.
box 5, folder 3
DeAmbrogio, Mary
1991 October 15
Physical Description: (One transcript)
Scope and Contents
Mary DeAmbrogio discusses the vineyards she owned with her late husband and the agricultural challenges of Rancho Cucamonga,
California. The interview was conducted for the City of Rancho Cucamonga.
box 5, folder 4
DeBerard, Robert
2001 June 7
Physical Description: (One transcript and one compact disc)
Scope and Contents
Robert DeBerard discusses his family's wine making business; his family ranch in modern day Rancho Cucamonga, California;
the Cucamonga Pioneer Vineyards Association; and the effect of Prohibition on his family's vineyards. The interview was conducted
for the City of Rancho Cucamonga.
box 5, folder 5
Ferrara, Gaspar Sr.
1994 February 10
Physical Description: (One videocassette)
Scope and Contents
The interview is with Gaspar Ferrara, the president of the Ferrara Winery in Escondido, California. The winery was established
by Ferrara's father, George, in 1919. The interview was conducted by students from San Pasqual High School in Escondido for
a United States History class.
box 5, folder 6
Filippi, Gino
2001 July 10
Physical Description: (One transcript and one compact disc)
Scope and Contents
Gino Filippi discusses the Joseph Filippi Winery in Rancho Cucamonga, California; his family history; the effect of World
War II on wine in the United States; local wine families; the flooding at the Thomas Vineyards winery, and the effort to establish
a Cucamonga Valley appellation. At the time of the interview, Gino Filippi was Vice President of Joseph Filippi Winery. The
interview was conducted for the City of Rancho Cucamonga.
box 6, folder 1
Francesco, Vito DeVito
2007 August 20
Interview Audio Recording (Digital Version)
Physical Description: (Two audiocassettes)
Scope and Contents
Vito DeVito Francesco discusses working in the fields harvesting grapes and the labor involved with wine production when it
was a booming business in Southern California. The interview was conducted by Danette Cook Adamson of California State Polytechnic
University, Pomona.
box 5, folder 7
Filpi, Buster and Annette Filpi Guidera
1994 February 15
Physical Description: (One transcript)
Scope and Contents
Buster Filpi and his daughter Annette discuss the early appearance of the Cucamonga area, their family winery, grape growing
methods and viticulture. The interview was conducted for the City of Rancho Cucamonga.
box 6, folder 2
Galleano, Donald and Charlene
1991 November 27
Physical Description: (One transcript)
Scope and Contents
Donald Galleano, third generation owner and winemaker of the Galleano Winery, and his wife, Charlene, discuss local wine families;
growing up in Mira Loma, California; agriculture in the Cucamonga Valley; the dangers of frost with vineyards; transportation
in the vineyards, Prohibition; the difference between table wines and fortified wines and the effect that the growth of table
wines had on Cucamonga Valley; and documenting the immigration status of workers. The interview was conducted for the City
of Rancho Cucamonga.
box 6, folder 3
Gonzalez, Maria
2001 July 2
Physical Description: (One transcript)
Scope and Contents
Maria Gonzalez, who worked at Guasti Plaza, speaks about her research on the Guasti family. Guasti Plaza was a project to
redevelop the historic Guasti community and buildings in California, the former site of the Italian Vineyard Company. The
interview was conducted by Danette Cook Adamson of California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
box 6, folder 4
Gracia, Nacho
2001 June 5
Physical Description: (One transcript and one compact disc)
Scope and Contents
Nacho Gracia was born and raised in Guasti, California, where his parents worked in the fields. Gracia discusses growing up
in Guasti, working in the fields, a labor strike by farm workers at Guasti and other wineries, and the Bracero Program. The
interview was conducted for the City of Rancho Cucamonga.
box 6, folder 5
Hofer, Paul III
2001 June 7
Physical Description: (One transcript and one compact disc)
Scope and Contents
Paul Hofer III discusses his family's ranch, the Hofer Ranch; his family's history in the winemaking business; the decline
of wineries in the Rancho Cucamonga region; the formation and purpose of the Cucamonga Pioneer Vineyard Association, a cooperative
that was formed by growers and was involved in wine production; the demand for grapes during Prohibition; the Bracero Program;
Guasti and the Italian Vineyard Company; and the Cucamonga Grape Festival. The interview was conducted for the City of Rancho
Cucamonga.
box 6, folder 6
Masi, Jennie Casara
1992 May 13
Physical Description: (One transcript)
Scope and Contents
Jennie Cassara Masi recalls her marriage to Sebastian Masi, purchasing a winery and grocery store formerly owned by John Lafourcade,
and the founding of Sacred Heart Church. The interview was conducted for the City of Rancho Cucamonga.
box 6, folder 7-9
McGeary, Alex
2002 May 21
Interview Audio Recording (Digital Version)
Physical Description: (One transcript, one draft transcript, and two audiocassettes)
Scope and Contents
Alex McGeary of Shadow Mountain Vineyards and Winery in San Diego County discusses his experiences in wine making and working
for wineries throughout Southern California, wine making in the 1970s in the San Diego area, and his experience working for
the winery in Guasti, California. The interview was conducted by Danette Cook Adamson of California State Polytechnic University,
Pomona.
box 7, folder 1
Miller, Patricia Mullin
1992 October 3
Physical Description: (One transcript)
Scope and Contents
Patricia Mullin Miller talks about the Lafourcade wine family and her mother, Amy Lafourcade. The interview was conducted
for the City of Rancho Cucamonga.
box 7, folder 2
Milliken, Daniel
1981 August 19
Physical Description: (One transcript)
Scope and Contents
Dr. Daniel B. Milliken, an educator and former Superintendent of Chaffey College, discusses his family's ranch in modern-day
Rancho Cucamonga, California; his family's history; and the California Wine Association winery. The interview was conducted
for the Upland Public Library.
box 7, folder 3-4
Milliken, Ruth
1974 October 31
Physical Description: (One transcript and two audiocassettes)
Scope and Contents
An interview with Ruth Milliken, who operated her family's ranch for four decades after her father died in 1919. Milliken
discusses the Guasti Vineyards, Thomas Vineyards, Virgina Dare Winery (Garrett & Company), a labor strike in 1919, Chinese
grape workers, the early wineries and grape sales, the California Wine Association, and transportation methods for grapes.
The interview was conducted for the Upland Public Library.
box 7, folder 5
Moramarco, John
1999 September 14
Physical Description: (One videocassette)
Scope and Contents
John Moramarco, founder of Callaway Vineyard and Winery in Temecula, California, describes his family history, his life as
a wine maker, and the history of the Callaway Winery. The interview was conducted for the Temecula Valley Museum.
box 7, folder 6-8
Prado, Pete
2008 January 9
Interview Audio Recording (Digital Version)
Physical Description: (Two transcripts and two audiocassettes)
Scope and Contents
Pete Prado is the son of immigrants who came to the Cucamonga Valley from Mexico as seasonal crop workers. He was born in
Guasti, California where he lived and worked for almost 20 years at Brookside Winery. He experienced first-hand many of the
changes to the Guasti labor camp as well as the eventual closing of the Brookside Winery. He also discusses the United Farm
Workers union. The interview was conducted by Danette Cook Adamson of California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
box 8, folder 1
Pruneri, Bob
1997 July 26
Physical Description: (One videocassette)
Scope and Contents
Bob Pruneri is a native of Guasti, California. In the interview, Pruneri discusses his life and family, the history of the
winery in Guasti, and discusses other residents of the Cucamonga area in the early 20th century.
box 8, folder 2-3
Rizzo, Ross
2002 May 23
Interview Audio Recording (Digital Version)
Physical Description: (One transcript and two audiocassettes)
Scope and Contents
Ross Rizzo, the owner and manager of the Bernardo Winery in San Diego County, discusses the history of the winery and its
transformation from a historic ranch to a destination attraction. The interview was conducted by Danette Cook Adamson of California
State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
box 8, folder 4-7
Romolo, Henriette and Anita Romolo Mittelman
2002 January 24
Interview Audio Recording (Digital Version)
Physical Description: (One transcript, one draft transcript, supplemental notes by Anita Mittelman, and two audiocassettes)
Scope and Contents
Henriette Romolo was a partner in the family-run Romolo Winery until 1972 when the winery closed. The winery was located in
Cucamonga, a community later incorporated into Rancho Cucamonga. The interview includes her daughter Anita Romolo Mittelman.
The interview was conducted by Danette Cook Adamson of California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
box 9, folder 1-3
Roper, Francellene Biane
2007 July 10
Interview Audio Recording (Digital Version)
Physical Description: (Two transcripts and two audiocassettes)
Scope and Contents
Francellene Biane Roper, former employee of the Brookside Winery stores, talks about working in the Brookside stores in various
California cities, including Colton, Anaheim, and Pasadena. She also discusses being the first female member of the Wine Institute
and the Wine Advisory Board. The interview was conducted by Danette Cook Adamson of California State Polytechnic University,
Pomona.
box 9, folder 4-6
Santoro, Leon
2002 May 22
Interview Audio Recording (Digital Version)
Physical Description: (One transcript, one draft transcript, and one audiocassette)
Scope and Contents
Leon Santoro describes his life and career with various wineries, especially with the Orfila Winery in San Diego County. Santoro
began his career in Napa Valley in the late 1970s and was instrumental in convincing growers in both San Diego and Riverside
counties to focus on Mediterranean wine grape varieties that he believed would work best in Southern California's winegrowing
regions. He played an important role in asserting that fine wine could be produced in Southern California's soils and climate.
The interview was conducted by Danette Cook Adamson of California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
box 9, folder 7
Swierstra, Shirley
1982 October 14
Physical Description: (One transcript)
Scope and Contents
Shirley Swierstra, former member of the Chino Valley Historical Society, discusses the community of Guasti, California and
the history of the Guasti family and the Italian Vineyard Company. Most of the information was given as part of a slideshow
presentation and the interviewer is not identified.
box 9, folder 8
Tibbetts, Janine Biane
2007
Interview Audio Recording (Digital Version)
Physical Description: (Two audiocassettes)
Scope and Contents
Janine Biane Tibbets is the daughter of Philo Biane. After Philo's death in 1999, Janine and her husband took over the operation
of Rancho de Philo to produce and sell sherry once a year. The interview was conducted by Danette Cook Adamson of California
State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
box 10, folder 1
Vai, Vera
circa 1970-1979
Physical Description: (One transcript)
Scope and Contents
Vera Vai, a registered nurse originally from Illinois is interviewed about her connection to the wine industry through the
Padre Vineyard Company, which was owned by the family of her husband, Cesare Vai. The Padre Vineyard Company was located in
Cucamonga, a community later incorporated into Rancho Cucamonga. The interview was conducted for the Upland Public Library.
box 10, folder 2-6
Vasquez, Enrique
1978 March 3
Physical Description: (Two transcripts and three 1/4 inch audio tapes)
Scope and Contents
Enrique Vasquez was a labor leader and agricultural worker in Guasti, California. He discusses coming to the United States
from Mexico, his connection to Francisco "Pancho" Villa, working in Guasti, meeting Secondo Guasti, the protest over a requirement
that workers buy products at the company store, his role in a 1933 labor strike over wages, and meeting Cesar Chavez. The
interview was conducted for the Upland Public Library and the transcript is in both English and Spanish.
box 11, folder 1
Vasquez, Enrique and Steve Malacara
1991 December 6
Physical Description: (One transcript)
Scope and Contents
The interview is with Enrique Vasquez and Steve Malacara, who were agricultural workers in Guasti, California. Malacara serves
as the interpreter for Vasquez. The two discuss working at Guasti, the labor camp at Guasti, a labor strike that Vasquez led
over wages, and the treatment of Mexicans. The interview was conducted for the City of Rancho Cucamonga.
box 11, folder 2
Vecchio, Mary Guidera, Joe Guidera, and Frank Vecchio
1994 February 15
Physical Description: (One transcript)
Scope and Contents
The interview is with Mary Guidera Vecchio, Joe Guidera, and Frank Vecchio. The Guidera family describe memories of their
youth and the history of family enterprises including "Mama's fruit stand" and the family winery.
The Guideras are interviewed about growing up on their Foothill Boulevard winery and their family's experience in the wine
industry. The interview was conducted for the City of Rancho Cucamonga.
