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.

Clayton's Civic Center was dedicated on August 30, 1997
National Register of Historic Places 1984
California Register of Historic Places 1992
Governor's Historic Preservation Award 1998
California Preservation Foundation Design Award 1998

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Show me all markers in:  Clayton, CA  |  Contra Costa County  |  94517  |  California  |  United States of America

Clayton
Endeavor Hall
Joaquin Murrieta
The Clayton Club
The Joel Clayton House
The Growler Saloon - Goethals Building
The Clayton Post Office
Black Diamond Way
Live Oak Cemetery
Greenhouse Portal

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