Livermore in Alameda County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Birth of an Industry

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, April 29, 2022

1. Birth of an Industry Marker

Inscription. >nr>Olivina is the name of the estate Julius Paul Smith built in the Livermore Valley. He and other local entrepreneurs recognized the similarities in climate and soil to the fine wine regions in Europe. The wines produced from their Valley estates were the beginning of the wine industry in the Livermore Valley. From the late 1880s until Smith's death in 1904, Olivina was the largest wine producer in the region.

The Olivina gate at the corner of Wetmore Road and Arroyo Road was built by Mrs. Smith in 1905 as a tribute to her husband. The Olivina Gate, the winery ruins, and the walnut-lined lanes between them were designated by the state as a point of historical interest in 2008.

Smith named his estate Olivina after the olive trees and grape vines he planted. In addition to wine making, olive oil was pressed from the olives grown here.

Take the Wagon Road Trail up the hill to walk under those same olive trees, planted over 120 years ago.

Erected by Livermore Area Recreation and Park District.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1904.

Location. 37° 38.002′ N,

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121° 46.499′ W. Marker is in Livermore, California, in Alameda County. It can be reached from Wetmore Road. The marker is located in Sycamore Grove Park on the Winery Loop Trail. At one mile, it is equidistant from either the Wetmore Road gate or Arroyo Road gate. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1051 Wetmore Road, Livermore CA 94550, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco Bay Area

and on the Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: From Borax to Burgundy (here, next to this marker); A Natural Supermarket and Hardware Store (approx. 0.8 miles away); Supervisor Edward R. Campbell Foot Bridge (approx. 1.2 miles away); Cresta Blanca Winery (approx.

North corner of the winery ruins image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, April 29, 2022

2. North corner of the winery ruins

Marker in the foreground

1.2 miles away); Ravenswood Historic Site Vineyards (approx. 1.3 miles away); Max Baer (approx. 2.4 miles away); The Gables (approx. 2.7 miles away); Joaquin Murrieta and Murrieta's Well (approx. 2.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Livermore.

East corner of the winery ruins image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, April 29, 2022

3. East corner of the winery ruins

Olivina Gate at the corner of Wetmore Road and Arroyo Road image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, April 29, 2022

4. Olivina Gate at the corner of Wetmore Road and Arroyo Road

Remenants of the distillery next to the winery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, April 29, 2022

5. Remenants of the distillery next to the winery

Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 30, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. This page has been viewed 757 times since then and 59 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 30, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.