Paul Masson Records, 1872-2000 1872-1929, bulk 1872-1929

Summary

Abstract:

Correspondence, ledger books, scrapbooks, and photographs from Masson's Santa Clara County, California, vineyards. Collection also includes notes on Masson by UC Davis Professor of Viticulture and Enology Harold P. Olmo.

Extent:

2.8 linear feet

Language:

English .

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Paul Masson Collection, D-357, Department of Special Collections, General Library, University of California, Davis.

Background

Scope and content:

The Paul Masson Collection documents the operation of the Masson vineyards in Santa Clara County, California. The collection includes correspondence, notes, ledger books, scrapbooks, and photographs from Masson's Saratoga winery. Also included are some notes from UC Davis Professor of Viticulture and Enology Harold P. Olmo's research on Masson's life and work.

Additional materials related to the Masson winery may be located in the Harold P. Olmo Papers, D-280.

Biographical / historical:

Paul Masson (1859-1943) was born into a family of winemakers in the Burgundy region of France. Throughout the 1860s, European vineyards had been devastated by a severe infestation of Phylloxera, and Masson's best option for finding work was to join other winemakers who had left for the United States. He set out for California in 1878.

Once in California, Masson was introduced to fellow Frenchman Charles Lefranc and began working with him at his vineyard, Almaden, in the Santa Clara valley. In 1888, Masson married Lefranc's daughter Louise and the business officially became the Lefranc Masson Wine Company. During this time, Masson began pursuing his dream of developing a California Champagne.

In 1900, Masson's Champagne won the Paris Award. The wine's popularity took off, and in 1905 Masson built his own winery, La Cresta, in Saratoga, California. Masson's reputation as a Champagne master continued to grow. Even during Prohibition, Masson was able to continue making Champagne for "ceremonial purposes."

Masson's profits during Prohibition were small, and by the time of Repeal in 1933, he had lost a great deal of his fortune. He sold off his portion of the Lefranc-Masson property, but held on to La Cresta as long as possible. In 1936, Masson sold the Saratoga winery to local stockbroker and aspiring winemaker Martin Ray.

Now known as The Mountain Winery, Masson's vineyards have become a popular sites for events and concerts. The Mountain Winery still sells both Champagne and non-sparkling wines from the vineyards' grapes.

Sources:

Mountain Winery History

http://www.mountainwinery.com/winery/winery_history.asp

(Accessed 14 January 2010)

Balzer, Robert Lawrence. This Uncommon Heritage: The Paul Masson Story. Los Angeles: Paul Masson Vineyards, 1970.

Acquisition information:

Separated from Harold Paul Olmo Papers, D-280. Gift of Richard W. Hoenisch, 1999.

Processing information:

Elizabeth Phillips, Manuscript Archivist, processed the collection and created the finding aid.

Physical location:

Researchers should contact Special Collections to request collections, as many are stored offsite.

Rules or conventions:

Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Related resources

Related material:

The following collections at Special Collections may also be of interest:

D-335, Martin and Eleanor Ray Papers, 1902-1993: Martin Ray purchased the Paul Masson Winery and produced wine there from 1936 to 1942. The collection includes: correspondence; manuscripts; business files; clippings; public relations files; and subject files relating to quality control, grape varieties, and vintages.

D-280, Harold Paul Olmo Papers, 1909-2006: This collection contains faculty papers including correspondence, research files, slides on grape varieties, grape variety reports by county, and materials relating to Olmo's activities in symposiums, conferences, and advisory boards.

D-363, Frederic T. Bioletti Papers, 1881-1935: This collection includes correspondence, research material on grape varieties and viticultural practices, publications on a variety of agricultural topics, and a small series of specimen photographs.

D-060, Maynard A. Amerine Collection, 1911-1998: This collection contains correspondence, manuscripts, wine labels, and pamphlets pertaining to the production of wine and spirits. Collection also includes travel diaries, menus, photographs relating to the Viticulture and Enology Department, California wine industry, and wine research.

Indexed terms

Subjects:

Wine and wine making -- California
Viticulture -- California
Champagne and other sparkling wines

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

Copyright is protected by the copyright law, chapter 17, of the U.S. Code. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Department of Special Collections, University of California, Library, Davis as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Paul Masson Collection, D-357, Department of Special Collections, General Library, University of California, Davis.

Location of this collection:

UC Davis, Special Collections

University of California, Davis, Special Collections, UC Davis Library

100 NW Quad

Davis, CA 95616-5292, US

Contact:

(530) 752-1621

speccoll@ucdavis.edu

Website