Clayton in Contra Costa County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
De Martini Winery
Photographed by Syd Whittle, September 30, 2012
1. De Martini Winery Marker
Paul De Martini built Clayton Vineyards Winery in 1885 on land formerly owned by Joel Clayton, the area’s first vintner. An Austrian stone mason directed construction, using stone quarried on Mount Diablo and hauled here by wagon teams. This was the second largest winery in Contra Costa County.
De Martini port, sherry, white claret, and zinfandel won state, national and international recognition. De Martini sherries and ports won first prizes at the 1904 St. Louis Exposition.
Wine production ended when the 1919 Volstead Act prohibited alcoholic beverage sales. De Martini wine making did not resume when prohibition ended in 1933. Phylloxera blighted vineyards had been replanted with orchards that were subdivided for housing after water service came to Clayton in the early 1950’s. The winery was used for storage and as a residence before the city acquired the property in 1988.
Innovative engineering and creative design saved the historic structure and enabled the city to adapt it for functional use and community events.
National Register of Historic Places 1984
California
this page online
Governor's Historic Preservation Award 1998
California Preservation Foundation Design Award 1998
Erected 2004 by Clayton Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Food & Drink • Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1885.
Location. 37° 56.549′ N, 121° 56.231′ W. Marker is in Clayton, California, in Contra Costa County. It is on Clayton Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5919 Clayton Road, Clayton CA 94517, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the 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, on 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 walking distance of this marker:
Photographed by Syd Whittle, September 30, 2012
2. De Martini Winery Marker
Marker is visible to the right of the entrance doors.
Regarding De Martini Winery. The winery building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on 8/30/1984. It now serves as the City Hall and Police Department.
Photographed by Syd Whittle, September 30, 2012
3. De Martini Winery - Clayton City Hall & Police Department
Photographed by Syd Whittle, September 30, 2012
4. Side Building
January 13, 2022
5. Former De Martini Winery and Marker
Photographed by Unknown, circa 1885
6. De Martini Winery
National Register of Historic Places # NRIS 84000767
Copied from 1973 Clayton Historical Society calendar. Original taken in 1885, after completion of winery building. Paul De Martini is at far left.
Copied from 1973 Clayton Historical Society calendar. Original taken in 1885, after completion of winery building. Paul De Martini is at far left.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 5, 2012, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,166 times since then and 60 times this year. Last updated on September 26, 2026, by Trudi Jacobson of Slingerlands, New York. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 5, 2012, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 5. submitted on January 13, 2022. 6. submitted on October 5, 2012, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
