"Good Wine Makes Good Friends" Paul Masson. That's what the tagline says on the back of this unique postcard from the 1960s.
The image of this fabulous Googie-esque building caught my attention while searching for new postcards. "What could this building be?", I wondered. The card states that this is the Paul Masson Champagne Cellars, located in Saratoga, CA, which is near San Jose and Cupertino, the home of Apple Computers in California's "Silicon Valley".
In the foreground you'll see their "champagne" fountain, reflecting pool, Reception Rotunda and spiral ramp leading into the winery. I would be interested to know if this building still stands and if so, it's condition.
I had an additional, pleasant surprise when I looked at the publishing credit and saw that the photographer was none other than Ansel Adams.
4 comments:
The Paul Masson Champagne Cellars building (which included wine cellars and a tasting room) was designed by the architect John S. Bolles (more known for his design of San Francisco's Candlestick Park). The popular venue was constructed in 1959 and offered free wine tours and tastings. It closed in the 1980s and was demolished in the 1990s for the extension of Highway 85 in Santa Clara County. What an architectural loss.
Hey Heather.
Thanks for the info. I had a feeling that this structure was long gone.
I have seen some other postcards of what appears to be a snack bar/dining area inside the building that was furnished with Bertoia wire chairs. It looked like a cool place indeed.
I feel that I should add that the sculpture out front was by Gurdon Woods and called "Effervescence of Champagne." John Bolles liked to combine art with his architecture.
I'm new to blogging but such a fan of John Bolles' work that I couldn't resist commenting.
Yep...here's a link to an article concerning the Saratoga school district expansion to accomodate the children expected to live in the Greenbriar project which is on the former site:
http://www.community-newspapers.com/archives/saratoganews/05.15.96/school.growth.html
Too bad...looks like it was a beautiful place.
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