The Finding Aid of the Romolo Winery Collection 0079

Rob Strauss
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
909-869-3775


Title: Romolo Winery Collection
Creator: Romolo Winery
Identifier/Call Number: 0079
Contributing Institution: California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Special Collections and Archives
Language of Material: English
Physical Description: 0.21 Linear Feet(1 box)
Date (inclusive): circa 1935-1972, 2001
Abstract: The Romolo Winery was a winery that operated from 1934 until 1972 in Cucamonga, California. The collection contains photographs of the Romolo Winery and the Romolo family home; Romolo Winery labels; photocopies of records, including an alcoholic beverage license; and winery ephemera, including a business receipt.

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Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright.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

Romolo Winery Collection, Collection no. 0079, Southern California Wine and Wine Industry Collection, Special Collections and Archives, University Library, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The materials were donated to California State Polytechnic University, Pomona by Anita Romolo Mittelman in 2004 and 2006 and gathered from Special Collections' Southern California Wine and Wine Industry Collection files.

Biographical / Historical

The Romolo Winery was a family-operated winery that opened in 1934 in Cucamonga, a Southern California community that was later incorporated into Rancho Cucamonga. The winery was owned by an Italian immigrant named Giuseppe (Joe) Romolo and his son, Louis. Henrietta Romolo, Louis' wife, was also a partner in the winery.
Giuseppe and his son started by planting grapes on 20 acres of land but opened the winery in 1934 because they were unable to get the price they wanted for the grapes. The Romolos later purchased an additional 20 acres of land during the 1950s.
The winery experienced some particularly busy years during World War II. That may have been a result of the winery's location near the Kaiser Steel plant in Fontana, which had brought in more workers to support the war effort. The winery experienced an increase in sales during that period and would even sell out of wine before the next crop was harvested.
One unique aspect of the Romolo Winery was its tasting room, a feature that was not common at that time. The winery started offering one ounce samples to its customers in the mid-1930s. In addition to selling wine out of the winery's store, Louis Romolo would deliver wine to restaurants, stores, and various customers in places as far north as Fillmore in Ventura County.
The Romolo Winery's most popular wines were dry, red wines but the winery's varietals included Zinfandel, Muscatel, Port, and Sauterne. The winery operated until 1972 and the Romolos sold the land they owned to San Bernardino County in 1976.

Scope and Contents

The collection contains photographs of the Romolo Winery and the Romolo family home; Romolo Winery labels; photocopies of records, including an alcoholic beverage license; and winery ephemera, including a business receipt. The family members in the photographs include Louis Romolo; his father, Giuseppe "Joe" Romolo; Louis' mother, Giuseppine "Pina" Romolo; and Louis' wife, Henrietta.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged alphabetically by folder title.

Related Materials

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.

Processing Information

The collection was processed by Rob Strauss in September 2018.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Romolo Winery
Wine and wine making - California
Photographs
Wine labels

box 1

Alcoholic Beverage License (Photocopy) 1964 July 1

box 1

Billhead Receipt - Romolo Winery before 1970

box 1

Business Cards - Romolo, Louis circa 1935-1972

box 1

Numbered Form - Romolo Winery circa 1935-1972

box 1

Photographs - Romolo Family circa 1943-1959, 2001

box 1

Photographs - Romolo Family Home and Retail Store 1961-1971

box 1

Photographs - Romolo Family Home and Winery 1961 May

box 1

Photographs - Romolo Vineyards 1961 May

box 1

Photographs - Romolo Winery 1961 May

box 1

Special Tax Stamp for Wholesale Liquor Dealer (Photocopies) 1939 September

box 1

Wine Labels - Romolo Winery circa 1935-1972