Vine Social: A Look at Efforts to Honor—and Bring Back—the Gritty, Gutsy Grapes of Rancho Cucamonga

California is known for its sprawling vineyards, refined wineries and award-winning vintages. But before Napa and Sonoma became the aristocracy of American wine, there were the rugged, dusty and downright scrappy vineyards of Southern California—specifically, those in Rancho Cucamonga.

These early wine pioneers were less about sipping in fancy tasting rooms and more about sheer survival, turning arid landscapes into something that could produce grapes good enough to create a decent glass of vino (or at least something strong enough to make you forget how hot it was outside).

Yes, Rancho Cucamonga sounds like a name pulled from a spaghetti Western, but it was the OG wine country in California, and one of the most important wine-producing regions in the U.S. That’s right—before California wine country had its sights set on the rolling hills of Napa, Rancho Cucamonga was churning out gallons of wine with the kind of efficiency that would make any modern-day vintner weep with envy.

The region’s winemaking history dates back to the early 1800s, when Spanish missionaries (whose church-sponsored drinking isn’t given enough credit for saving legal alcohol consumption in this country) planted the first grapevines. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Cucamonga’s vineyards covered tens of thousands of acres. The area became known for its heat-loving, thick-skinned zinfandel and mission grapes, which were hardy enough to withstand scorching temperatures and occasional droughts.

At its peak in the early 1900s, Rancho Cucamonga was home to powerhouse wineries like the Thomas Brothers Winery and the Virginia Dare Winery. If you’re wondering what kind of wine was rolling out of this dusty paradise, think bold, rustic reds with enough alcohol content to knock over a mule. Prohibition tried to put a damper on things, but thanks to some creative “medicinal” and “sacramental” loopholes, wine production never truly stopped.

So what happened to this once thriving wine powerhouse? Why did it fade into relative obscurity? The answer is a combination of urban sprawl, shifting industry focus, and the all-powerful real estate market.

By the mid-20th century, Southern California was booming with development, and Rancho Cucamonga’s prime vineyard land started looking mighty attractive to developers. As cities expanded and land prices skyrocketed, vineyard owners found it more profitable to sell their land than to keep growing grapes. Between the 1950s and 1980s, much of the region’s vineyards were paved over, replaced by housing tracts, shopping centers and freeways.

Meanwhile, the California wine industry was shifting northward. Napa and Sonoma had started gaining global recognition, and winemakers were drawn to the cooler climates and diverse terroirs of Northern California. Rancho Cucamonga’s hot, arid conditions weren’t as trendy, and many of its vineyards were left to history.

While the wine industry in Rancho Cucamonga is a shadow of what it once was, it hasn’t disappeared entirely. A few dedicated wineries continue to produce wines, keeping the region’s heritage alive. One of the most notable is the historic Joseph Filippi Winery, which has been in operation since the 1920s and still crafts wines from local grapes. They specialize in bold reds, honoring the area’s zinfandel and mission grape legacy.

Galleano Winery, another historic producer, remains a beacon of Rancho Cucamonga’s wine culture. Established in 1927, it weathered the storms of Prohibition, urbanization and industry shifts, continuing to produce traditional wines with a focus on old-school winemaking techniques.

There’s a renewed interest in reclaiming Rancho Cucamonga’s wine legacy. Some boutique winemakers and historians are pushing for preservation efforts, hoping to revive the lost vineyards and celebrate the city’s winemaking past. While it’s unlikely that Rancho Cucamonga will rival Napa anytime soon, there’s potential for a resurgence of small-batch, high-quality wines that pay homage to its early days.

One of the most passionate voices championing Cucamonga Valley’s wine history is urban winemaker Abe Schoener. Known for his unconventional approach to winemaking, Schoener has made it his mission to highlight the historic vineyards of Rancho Cucamonga, sourcing grapes from old vines that have miraculously survived. Through his winery, the Scholium Project, he has crafted wines that showcase the unique terroir of the region, proving that despite its decline, Cucamonga’s winemaking potential is far from dead. Schoener’s dedication has sparked renewed interest among wine enthusiasts and historians, bringing much-needed attention to the resilience of these ancient vines. His efforts serve as a bridge between the past and the future, inspiring others to recognize and celebrate the rich viticultural history of Rancho Cucamonga.

The Cucamonga Valley AVA (American Viticultural Area) was officially recognized in 1985, a nod to the region’s historic significance. Despite Rancho Cucamonga’s reduced vineyard acreage, the AVA designation ensures that wines produced from this area still carry the distinct character of its old vines, deep sandy soils and blistering sunshine. The effort to preserve and promote this legacy has been led in part by winemakers like Domenic Galleano of Galleano Winery, and the Filippi family, who remain committed to championing Cucamonga’s viticultural roots, producing wines that reflect the resilience and history of the region’s vineyards. Their efforts, along with those of other passionate winemakers, are keeping the spirit of Rancho Cucamonga’s wine country alive for future generations.

Alongside Schoener, renowned sommelier and winemaker Rajat Parr has also taken an interest in the Cucamonga Valley, crafting wines that highlight the region’s unique terroir. His commitment to old-vine preservation has helped bring greater awareness to the area’s deep-rooted winemaking traditions. Similarly, Carol Shelton, the undisputed guru of single vineyard zinfandel, has begun working with Cucamonga Valley fruit to create robust and expressive wines that showcase the resilience of these historic vines.

Rancho Cucamonga’s contributions to California’s wine industry shouldn’t be overlooked. The early vineyards of Southern California paved the way for winemaking in unlikely places, proving that with the right grapes (and a little bit of stubbornness), wine can flourish in even the most challenging environments.

The next time you sip a glass of California wine, take a moment to toast the early pioneers of Rancho Cucamonga. They didn’t have fancy tasting rooms or climate-controlled cellars, but they had determination, a love of the vine and—most importantly—a deep appreciation for a well-earned drink at the end of a long, hot day.

Katie Finn is a certified sommelier and certified specialist of wine with two decades in the wine industry. She can be reached at katiefinnwine@gmail.com.