Finding aid to the California Wine Association records, 1894-1936, MS 300

Contributing Institutions Collection Guides Browse Map About OAC

What are Collection Guides?

> Home > California Historical Society

Collection Guide

∞ https://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/tf667nb130/

Collection Title:

Collection Number:

Get Items:

Finding aid to the California Wine Association records, 1894-1936, MS 300

MS 300

No online items

Contact California Historical Society

View entire collection guide

Printable Guide [HTML]

Search this collection

Table of contents

Series 1: Board of Directors minutes and other materials 1894 August 10-1936 December 8

Extent : 5 volumes, 1 folder (1.5 linear feet)

Scope and Contents

Bound volumes document administrative matters, including appointments and organizational bylaws. Additionally, volumes 2-5 contain transcriptions and copies of annual reports to stockholders. A separate folder, "Annual reports and statements," contains printed versions of these reports.

Box 1

Volume 1 1894 August 10-1895 August 8

Scope and Contents

The first part of this handwritten volume documents the development of organizational bylaws, committee member lists, and member responsibilities. The volume also contains transcribed correspondence from California grape growers and winemakers detailing purchasing contracts. Discussions include pricing; wine appraisal; and grape classification, such as the use of the terms "hill grapes" and "valley grapes." The volume also contains minutes of meetings the association held with the winemakers and grape growers, including the Beringer family.

Box 2

Volume 2 1895 August 8-1905 February 23

Scope and Contents

Topics in this typed volume include appointment nominations; revenue; and discussions on the general state of the California wine market, as well as specific vintages. Additionally, amendments to the original articles of incorporations and contract negotiations between the committee and California winemakers are discussed. The volume also contains transcriptions and clippings of notices about the association published by the San Francisco Chronicle and San Francisco Examiner. An illustrated stock certificate (1894) is interleaved between pages 120 and 121.

Physical Access

Some of this volume is illegible due to water damage.

Box 3

Volume 3 1905 June 10-1912 February 29

Scope and Contents

Minutes address financial matters and include business statements, bonds issued by the association, and insurance policies held by the association. Significantly, the aftermath of the 1906 earthquake and fire is discussed as it relates to stock and property damage. Additionally, the volume contains transcriptions of reports sent to stockholders.

Box 4

Volume 4 1912 February 29-1921 July 28

Scope and Contents

Typed volume contains descriptions of elected positions; changes to the articles of incorporation; contracts with grape growers and winemakers; and the issue of Prohibition. Volume also contains stockholders meeting meetings and copies of reports sent to stockholders. A bond pamphlet is interleaved between pages 65-85.

Box 5

Volume 5 1921 August 25-1936 December 8

Scope and Contents

Topics in this typed volume include the Volstead Act (Prohibition); the association's diminishing stock value; foreign wine imports and market impact; and the quality and quantity of the association's wine inventory. The issue of dissolving the corporation was raised in 1923 (page 77). The second half of the volume describes this process, including member resignations, property liquidation, and the efforts to distribute remaining wine stock. The last year of the corporation was spent in litigation. Additionally, the volume contains stockholders meeting meetings and copies of reports sent to stockholders.

Box 5, Folder 1

Annual reports and statements 1886, 1898-1917, 1919-1922, 1936

Scope and Contents

Typed and printed annual reports and business statements sent to stockholders (1886, 1898-1917, 1919-1922, and 1936) highlighting major events impacting fiscal decisions, such as grape production and Prohibition. Reports are also found transcribed in the minutes of the Board of Directors meetings (Volumes 2-5).

Series 2: Executive Committee minutes 1903 March 23-1923 October 17

Extent: 5 volumes (1.5 linear feet)

Scope and Contents

Bound typed volumes containing meeting minutes of the Executive Committee of the California Wine Association.

Box 6

Volume 6 1903 March 23-1910 May 20

Scope and Contents

Financial arrangements between the association and various banks, merchants, and wineries are discussed. The volume also contains information on contract terms with growers; the purchase of various vintages; and property acquisitions. Additionally, the aftermath of the 1906 earthquake and fire is described (pages 137-141).

Box 7

Volume 7 1910 May 27-1913 April 30

Scope and Contents

Volume details contracts held by the association with other winemakers and grape growers. Topics also include litigation; profits and loss; wine sales; cellar stock; and real estate.

Box 8

Volume 8 1913 May 1-1917 July 2

Scope and Contents

Topics include contract negotiations with winemakers and growers; profits and loss; response to proposed Prohibition laws, including alignment with various anti-Prohibition associations; and the brandy tax and subsequent cancellation of grape contracts. Additionally, internal conflicts are discussed, including member resignations. New business ventures are also raised and include raisin making, grape juice production, and sugar extraction from grapes.

Box 9

Volume 9 1917 July 9-1920 October 4

Scope and Contents

Minutes detail the association's response to Prohibition; investment in alternative markets, contracts with grape growers; dissolution of subsidiary companies; member resignations and litigation; and the dissolution of the association itself.

Box 10

Volume 10 1920 October 25-1923 October 17

Scope and Contents

Topics discussed include divestments of property; litigation; committee vacancies; stock certificate redemption; the cessation of stock trading; and the dissolution of the association itself.

Collection Contents

Board of Directors minutes and other materials

Executive Committee minutes