May 6, 2005

Guglielmo Winery celebrates 80 years of family winemaking May 16 – 22

The Guglielmo family of Morgan Hill, one of Northern California’s wine pioneers, has set aside the week of May 16 – 22 to celebrate its 80th anniversary of producing wines in the Santa Clara Valley.

Guests will be greeted with live Italian music, followed by a champagne dedication of the Piazza d’Madellena featuring the unveiling of a bronze plaque.

In 1925 Emilio and Emilia Guglielmo had a vision to produce fine wines in California. Morgan Hill provided the right soil with the perfect climate to make their dream come true.

Through three generations and 80 years, the family has kept their winemaking dream alive. Today, the third generation of the Guglielmo family carries on the family legacy and belief that wine is a traditional part of our culture and one of life’s simple pleasures to be shared with family and friends.

May 14 Cork Equity Day
Prior to the anniversary week, Guglielmo offers its eighth Cork Equity Day, where you can bottle your own red wine.

Guglielmo winemakers have created a tasty, full-bodied Bordeaux-style blend comprised of 71 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 29 percent Merlot—both from vineyards in the historic Santa Clara Valley.

Called “Cavalcade Cellar Red,” this special wine will only be available at the event. On the regular market, a comparable bottle of this wine would cost between $14 – $16. Pricing for the Cork Equity #8 wine, with your own clean bottle, is $5 per 750-milliliter bottle, $9 per 1.5-liter bottle or $18 per 4-liter bottle. Clean bottles will be available for sale the day of the event for $1 or less per bottle, depending on the size.

May 16 – 22 activities
Throughout the week, visitors to the Heritage Room can step back in time to view family photos and historic shots of the winery. An artist’s gallery will also showcase the talents of the local art community.

Today, the third generation of the Guglielmo family (brothers George, Gene and Gary) carries on the family legacy and belief that wine is a traditional part of our culture and one of life’s simple pleasures to be shared with family and friends.

A variety of activities will be held exclusively for Guglielmo’s Wine Group members, including a tasting of older vintage Library wines on May 17 and a formal dinner with the Guglielmo family on May 19.

The public is invited to join the Guglielmo family, civic leaders and local dignitaries in celebrating 80 years of producing great wines at the Grand Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, May 21, from 4 to 9 p.m.

Guests will be greeted with live Italian music, followed by a champagne dedication of the Piazza d’Madellena featuring the unveiling of a bronze plaque commemorating the contributions of winery founders, Emilio and Emilia Guglielmo, as well as the next generation, George W. and Madeline Guglielmo.

For dinner you will be invited to take “a walk through Italy” with specialty food stations serving up delectable Italian entrees, complete with dessert, as well as samples of award-winning wines. After dinner, guests can put on their dancing shoes and enjoy the music of the SBX Band.

Tickets include Piazza reception, dinner with dessert and coupons for three glasses of wine. The cost is $55 or $50 for GWG members. Reservations are required.

To reserve tickets, call the winery at (408) 779-2145 or stop by the Tasting Room at 1480 E. Main Avenue in Morgan Hill, located just 20 minutes south of San Jose. For more information, go to the Web at www.guglielmowinery.com.

Guglielmo family continues winemaking craft passed down for generations

Born in 1883 near Asti in Italy’s Piedmonte region, family patriarch Emilio Guglielmo (Gool-yell-mo) left his homeland when he was 25 years old and traveled to America.

Family patriarch Emilio Guglielmo

Arriving in New York City shortly after the turn of the century, Emilio held a variety of jobs while working his way west. He finally arrived in San Francisco in 1909. After sending for his Piedmonte sweetheart, Emilia, the couple married and settled down in San Francisco.

Emilio worked for a tannery while Emilia cleaned homes and worked at a French laundry. Eventually the couple invested in the future by purchasing vineyard land in the agriculturally rich Santa Clara Valley near Morgan Hill, about 80 miles south of San Francisco.

Winery founded in 1925
In 1925 the couple founded the Emilio Guglielmo Winery. Fluent in both Italian and French, Emile—as he was known to his French customers—developed numerous contacts and began selling his hearty Italian-style wines to the large Italian, French and Basque communities in San Francisco.

Wines bearing the Guglielmo family name quickly developed an excellent reputation for quality and were sold in many restaurants in San Francisco’s North Beach District. They were also delivered directly to the homes of many customers.

George W. Guglielmo and his wife Madeline.

Second generation winemaker George W. Guglielmo and his wife Madeline came into the family business upon George’s return from service in the Army Air Corps during World War II. Working together, they expanded the winery’s estate vineyards and distribution channels, while retaining the family’s commitment to quality, distinction and value.

Today, third generation brothers George E., Gene and Gary keep the family tradition alive by producing award-winning premium varietal wines under the Guglielmo Private Reserve label from nearly 100 acres of Santa Clara Valley estate vineyards.

They also produce vintage-dated Villa Emile varietals and Emile’s table wines from Monterey County and other premium winegrowing regions throughout California.