Published in the April 15-28, 2015 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Staff Report
Bev Steneghem
About a year ago, Bev Stenehjem was approached by an editor for Arcadia Publishers who read one of her wine columns in the local newspapers. The human resources director at Mission Bell Manufacturing in Morgan Hill was offered the opportunity to tell the story of local vineyards in “The Wineries of Santa Clara Valley,” the newest addition to Arcadia’s Images of America series.
Released April 13, the book spans a history of 150 years and boasts hundreds of vintage images, many of which have never been published, featuring 14 of the families that helped make Santa Clara Valley a premier wine region.
“This book would not be possible without the help of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who climbed into musty attics and rifled through packed-away boxes to find the treasures of their family photos,” she said.
Stenehjem used the Internet, social media and “old-fashioned gumshoe detective work” to find the surviving relatives of eight of the earliest wineries still existing in the South Valley region. Of the eight wineries in the book, four are still in the same family. She met with 14 different family representatives.
The work of putting the book together was a labor of love as she spent hours poring over old family photos and hearing poignant and inspiring stories as she was given the rare opportunity to peek into the lives of people from past generations.
“One highlight of my experience includes holding the actual pan that Charles Sanders (the original property owner of Fernwood Cellars) used to pan for gold in 1849, saved and preserved by his great-granddaughter,” Stenehjem said. “Another highlight was at the Guglielmo Winery when I viewed the secret basement used for winemaking during Prohibition.”
The valley’s winemaking history dates back to 1777, making it the first premier wine-production region in California. Although other wine regions such as Napa seem to get all the tourism attention, people need to realize that the Santa Clara Valley has a far longer history and deserves just as much respect and attention, she said.
As far as Stenehjem knows, this book is the first historical accounting that has been done on behalf of our wineries in Santa Clara Valley. It tells the story of how immigrants following the American dream played a role in coming to Santa Clara Valley to make wine. A good number of the wineries in the book have their roots in Italy — with names like Guglielmo, Fortino, Bonesio, Vanni, Sampognaro, Bertero, and Pedrizzetti.
But just as many have their roots in other countries, the author said. Many of these people immigrated to the United States in search for a better life, arriving to our shores with just pennies in their pocket and unable to speak English. What they all have in common is an incredible work ethic, a love of the land and a devotion to their families.
She hopes the book will help shine a light on the world-class wines of the Santa Clara Valley.
“It is a fascinating account of not only the winery histories, but also about our local history and the people that lived and thrived in this area,” she said. “Not only did these families pass down wine-making traditions to the next generation, but they also left a legacy of a strong work ethic and sacrifice.”
Bev Stenehjem is the human resources director for Mission Bell Manufacturing. She will be at Guglielmo Winery, 1480 E. Main Ave. from noon to 2 p.m., May 9.
