Vineyard and Winery (San Francisco Solano Mission Vineyard)

The bronze credits the Franciscan fathers with the 1825 planting; the digging, pruning and harvests fell to the mission's Native neophytes. The grapes went into sacramental wine, and a century later sacramental wine kept this ground working. Samuele Sebastiani, a Tuscan stonemason who had quarried cobbles for San Francisco's streets, carried his winery through Prohibition making it, with medicinal wine besides. The 1960 bronze praises the family's continuing traditions. They sold the winery in 2008, to Bill Foley.

What the plaque says

Samuele Sebastiani Vineyard and Winery Here in 1825 the Franciscan Fathers of San Francisco Solano de Sonoma Mission planted the first vineyard in Sonoma Valley. The grapes were used for making sacramental wines. After secularization of the Mission in 1835, General Mariano G. Vallejo, Commandant of Alta California's northern frontier, produced prize-winning wines from these grapes. Samuele Sebastiani and his wife, Elvira, purchased this property in the early 1900's. A young immigrant from Italy, he had come here to make his fortune. Since that time he and his family have successfully continued with distinction the traditions handed down to them through the years. Much of the original Mission vineyard is still planted to choice wine grapes. California Registered Historical Landmark No. 739 Plaque placed by the California State Park Commission in cooperation with the Sonoma Valley Historical Society, September 24, 1960.

Where it stands

More markers nearby

• Blue Wing Inn — 0.3 mi
• Presidio of Sonoma (Sonoma Barracks) — 0.4 mi
• Bear Flag Monument — 0.4 mi
• Nash Adobe — 0.5 mi