Kenwood in Sonoma County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Chateau St Jean

Photographed by Alvis Hendley, August 3, 2026

1. Chateau St Jean Marker

Inscription.
Yuki tribe first known inhabitants, in village of Wilikos later named Los Guilicos.

1833: General Mariano Vallejo arrives at Sonoma Mission, planting grapes in 1834, marking first known planting of vineyards in the area.

1875: Renowned botanist and horticulturist Luther Burbank arrives in Santa Rosa, publicizing area's fertile, viticulturist potential. Burbank and Jack London become friends, sharing a passion for agriculture.

1895: South Los Guilicos name changed to Kenwood.

1911: Jack London moves his Beauty Ranch to Glen Ellen.

1913: In August, Jack London's cherished Wolf House burns completely just upon completion. Valley of the Moon is published.

1916: Purchase of L.H. Sly's 300 acre-property, at the base of Sugarloaf Ridge by Ernest and Maude Goff of Saginaw, Michigan, who made their fortune in iron mines and in the Pacific Northwest lumber industry.

Circa 1919: Ernest and Maude Goff and their five children, Maude, Harry, Camilla, Ernest and Ezra.

1920: Main house of Chateau St. Jean built as a summer home.

October 1973: Chateau St. Jean property purchased and founded by San Joaquin grape

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

growers Robert and Edward Merzoian, and Kenneth Sheffield. Jean Sheffield Merzoian, the new owner's sister-in-law, wife, and sister, honored as the Chateau's namesake.

May 1974: Richard Arrowood hired as Winemaker, coinciding with planting the St. Jean Estate vineyards.

September 1974: First vintage of Chateau St. Jean wines custom crushed at Sonoma Vineyards.

September 1975: 1974 Sonoma County Johannisberg Riesling, Select Late Harvest,first to win critical acclaim, brings recognition to the winery.

1978: St. Jean Estate Vineyards planting completed.

1980: Table wine facility completed. A record nine vineyard designated Chardonnays produced this year.

September 1988: 44 acre Sauvignon Blanc vineyard, La Petite Etoile, purchased in the Russian River Valley.

April 1990: 14-year Chateau St. Jean veteran, Don Van Staaveren named winemaker.

April 1997: Steve Reeder joins Chateau St. Jean as winemaker.

December 1999: 1996 Cinq Cépages Cabernet Sauvignon named "Wine of the Year" by Wine Spectator magazine - a first for a Sonoma wine.

July 2000: New Visitor Center and Mediterranean Gardens open, integrating main

Portico to Garden image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Alvis Hendley, August 3, 2026

2. Portico to Garden

The interpretive marker is mounted on a wall inside this freestanding portico to the garden.

house architecture and ambiance, embodied in elegant garden spaces.

December 2002: 1999 Cinq Cépages Cabernet Sauvignon named "#2 Wine of the Year" by Wine Spectator magazine.

August 2003: Margo Van Staaveren promoted to Winemaker, becoming Chateau St. Jean's fourth winemaker. Named Winemaker of the Year by the Wine Enthusiast Magazine in November 2008.

Erected by Chateau St Jean.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Architecture • Horticulture & Forestry • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1990.

Location. 38° 25.4′ N, 122° 33.303′ W. Marker is in Kenwood, California, in Sonoma County. It can be reached from Sonoma Highway, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8555 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood CA 95452, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Wine Country,

in the San Francisco Bay Area,

in the North Coast,

and specifically on the Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

The Original Chateau image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Alvis Hendley, August 3, 2026

3. The Original Chateau

When we photographed the original chateau, it was a tasting room.

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 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Kenwood Depot (approx. 0.9 miles away); The St. Francis Bell (approx. 1½ miles away); Hood House (approx. 1.8 miles away); Glen Ellen Cannon (approx. 4½ miles away); Historical Tid-bits about Glen Ellen (approx. 4½ miles away); Charles J. Poppe Building (approx. 4½ miles away); Jack London Historical State Park (approx. 4.7 miles away); Jack London Ranch (approx. 4.7 miles away).

Photographed by Alvis Hendley, August 3, 2026

4. The Winery

One of Several Chateau St Jean Vineyards image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Alvis Hendley, August 3, 2026

5. One of Several Chateau St Jean Vineyards

Credits. This page was last revised on September 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 30, 2026, by Alvis Hendley of San Francisco, California. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 30, 2026, by Alvis Hendley of San Francisco, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.