(Formerly Paul Masson Mountain Winery)

• Type: Winery / Entertainment Venue
• Status: Active (primarily concert venue; limited wine production)
• Founded: 1901 (Paul Masson era)
• Winery constructed: 1905 ("La Cresta")
• Chateau built: 1905
• Region / AVA: Santa Cruz Mountains
• Location: 14831 Pierce Road, Saratoga, CA 95070
• Founder: Paul Masson
• Current Owner: Chateau Masson, LLC (Bill Hirschman, co-owner)
• Current Operator: AEG Live (exclusive operator for concerts/events)
• Former Winemaker: Jeffrey Patterson (hired ~2000-2006)
• Associated vineyards: Estate vineyard (6 acres renovated 2004)
• Predecessor entities: Paul Masson Winery (1901-1936), Martin Ray Winery at Masson site (1936-1942/1943)
• Historical designation: National Register of Historic Places (1983, Reference #83001239); California Historical Landmark #733
• Amphitheater capacity: 2,500 seats
• Wine tasting: Friday-Sunday, 12pm-5pm
• Historical significance: One of only three Santa Cruz Mountains wineries operating in 1946; pioneering champagne producer; architectural landmark; transition from winery to concert venue demonstrates evolving uses of historic wine properties

The Mountain Winery, originally Paul Masson Mountain Winery, represents one of California's most dramatic wine estate transformations—from pioneering champagne producer (1901-1952) to internationally renowned concert venue (1958-present) while maintaining limited wine production. Founded by French immigrant Paul Masson in 1901 on a hilltop in Saratoga, the estate includes "The Chateau" (1905) and "La Cresta" winery (1905), rebuilt after the 1906 earthquake using salvaged stones from the destroyed Saratoga Wine Company and a 12th-century Spanish portal from San Jose's earthquake-ruined St. Patrick's Cathedral. Masson sold to Martin Ray in 1936, who operated until 1942/1943 when he sold to Seagram; wine production ceased in 1952. The concert bowl was constructed in 1958, launching a Summer Concert Series that has hosted Diana Ross, Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett, and Joan Baez. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places (1983) and designated California Historical Landmark #733, the property was briefly revived for wine production when Jeffrey Patterson was hired as winemaker around 2000, with estate vineyard renovation completed in 2004 and first Estate Reserve Series release in 2006. Today, AEG Live operates the venue exclusively for concerts and events, with limited wine tasting available, demonstrating how historic wine estates can preserve architectural heritage while adapting to new economic realities.

• 1901 — Paul Masson cleared hilltop, planted vineyards in Saratoga
• 1905 — "The Chateau" (Masson's house) built on knoll above winery
• 1905 — "La Cresta" (winery) completed; Masson's "Vineyard in the Sky"
• 1906 — San Francisco earthquake destroyed winery cellar
• 1907 — New wine cellar completed using stones from Saratoga Wine Company (destroyed in earthquake) and 12th-century Spanish portal from St. Patrick's Cathedral, San Jose (also destroyed in earthquake)
• 1901-1936 — Paul Masson era; produced champagne using méthode champenoise
• 1920-1933 — Prohibition; Masson survived by selling grapes wholesale and medicinal champagnes (special dispensation)
• 1936 — Martin Ray purchased Mountain Winery from Paul Masson
• 1940 — Fire destroyed much of winery (some structures survived)
• 1942/1943 — Martin Ray sold property to Seagram; Ray retained winery name and purchased nearby 251-acre site (later Mount Eden)
• 1946 — One of only three wineries operating in Santa Cruz Mountains
• 1952 — Wine production ceased
• 1958 — Concert bowl constructed; Summer Concert Series launched
• 1960s-present — Hosting concerts and live entertainment; became better known as concert venue than winery
• 1983 — Listed on National Register of Historic Places (Reference #83001239); designated California Historical Landmark #733
• ~2000 — Jeffrey Patterson (Mount Eden winemaker) hired to restart wine production
• 2004 — Completed renovation of 6 acres of estate vineyard
• 2006 — First release of Estate Reserve Series wines since late 1940s
• Present — AEG Live operates as exclusive venue operator; wine tasting Friday-Sunday; 2,500-seat amphitheater for summer concerts

In 1901, Paul Masson, already renowned as the "Champagne King of California" for his gold-medal-winning sparkling wine at the 1900 Paris Exposition, purchased property on a hilltop in Saratoga and began clearing the hilltop and planting vineyards.

This decision to establish a mountain estate was revolutionary:

• Most California wine production was in valleys
• Mountain viticulture was considered marginal or impossible
• Masson recognized potential for quality over quantity
• Hilltop location provided dramatic setting and cooler climate

In 1905, Masson completed two major structures:

1. "The Chateau" (Masson's House)

• Built on a knoll above the winery
• Served as Masson's residence and entertainment venue
• Masson developed reputation as "unrivaled host"
• Hosted legendary parties featuring wine, food, music
• Demonstrated wine as lifestyle and culture, not just agriculture

2. "La Cresta" (The Winery)

• Masson's "Vineyard in the Sky"
• Three-story sandstone structure
• Designed for champagne production using méthode champenoise
• Gravity-flow winemaking (grapes entered at top, wine exited at bottom)
• Capacity for large-scale sparkling wine production

This construction established the architectural legacy that persists today.

Just one year after completion, the 1906 San Francisco earthquake struck on April 18, devastating California:

• The winery's cellar lay in ruins
• Sandstone structure heavily damaged
• Equipment and wine inventory lost
• Threatened to end Masson's mountain wine venture

The earthquake destroyed wineries throughout California, and many never rebuilt.

By 1907, Masson had rebuilt the wine cellar, but not with new materials—instead, he salvaged architectural elements from other earthquake-destroyed buildings:

1. Stones from Saratoga Wine Company

• The Saratoga Wine Company's building on Big Basin Way was also destroyed in the 1906 quake
• This was a winery from the 1860s (pioneer era)
• Masson used sandstone blocks from the ruins to rebuild his cellar
• Symbolically incorporated pioneer-era wine history into his modern winery

2. 12th-Century Spanish Portal from St. Patrick's Cathedral

• The magnificent St. Patrick's Church in San Jose was destroyed in the earthquake
• Masson "acquired" (or salvaged) a 12th-century Spanish portal from the rubble
• The ancient entrance portal was "reputed to be medieval and imported from Spain"
• Added as distinctive architectural feature during reconstruction
• Transformed religious architecture into viticultural architecture

This creative reuse gave the Mountain Winery deep historical resonance, embodying:

• 1860s pioneer wine era (Saratoga Wine Company stones)
• 12th-century Spanish heritage (cathedral portal)
• 1906 earthquake (salvaged ruins)
• 1907 modern reconstruction (Masson's vision)

The winery literally incorporated California wine history into its walls.

Throughout his ownership, Masson produced high-quality sparkling wine using the traditional French méthode champenoise:

• Bottle fermentation
• Hand-riddling to settle sediment
• Disgorgement
• Dosage
• Extended aging in cellars

The Mountain Winery became one of California's premier champagne producers, continuing the reputation Masson had established at Almaden.

During Prohibition, Masson employed multiple strategies to survive:

1. Wholesale Grape Sales

• Sold grapes to home winemakers (legal under Prohibition for personal consumption)
• Maintained vineyards and agricultural operations

2. Medicinal Champagne

• Received "special dispensation to sell medicinal champagnes"
• Legal loophole: doctors could prescribe wine/champagne for medical purposes
• Allowed continued champagne production and sales

This dual approach kept the Mountain Winery operating when most California wineries closed permanently.

In 1936, Paul Masson sold the Mountain Winery to Martin Ray (also known as "Rusty" Ray), a stockbroker and wine enthusiast who had become Masson's protégé.

The purchase included:

• Mountain Winery property and buildings
• Vineyards
• Equipment
• Inventory
• The prestigious "Paul Masson" name and reputation

Significance of the sale:

• Ray was mentored directly by Masson in quality winemaking philosophy
• Transfer represented knowledge transmission from pioneer (Masson) to modern era (Ray)
• Ray would maintain Masson's quality-first, estate-bottled approach
• Created continuity between French immigrant era and California wine renaissance

Martin Ray operated the Mountain Winery for 4-7 years (sources vary on exact end date: 1942 or 1943):

• Maintained the Paul Masson name
• Continued champagne production
• Preserved Masson's quality standards
• Learned méthode champenoise and estate winemaking philosophy

Ray absorbed Masson's principles:

• Estate-bottled only
• 100% varietal wines
• No blending for commercial palatability
• Quality over quantity
• Age-worthy structure

In 1940, a catastrophic fire destroyed much of the winery, though some structures survived. This disaster, coming just four years after Ray's purchase, forced difficult decisions about rebuilding and investment.

In 1942 (or 1943—sources conflict), Martin Ray sold the Mountain Winery property to Seagram, the large spirits/wine corporation.

What Ray retained:

• The "Martin Ray Winery" name and company title
• Seagram bought physical property but not Ray's brand

What Ray purchased with proceeds:

• A nearby undeveloped 251-acre mountain site (1943)
• This property became Mount Eden Vineyards (founded 1945)
• Ray continued his quality-first winemaking at Mount Eden until 1972

Significance:

• Ray's sale to Seagram represented corporatization of a historic property
• Ray's purchase of nearby land showed commitment to mountain viticulture
• The Mountain Winery entered corporate ownership era
• Ray preserved his winemaking philosophy by moving to Mount Eden

Under Seagram ownership, the Mountain Winery continued wine production for approximately 10 years until 1952, when wine production ceased.

Reasons for cessation (needs research, likely includes):

• Corporate focus on spirits and mass-market wines
• Difficulty sustaining small-scale mountain viticulture profitably
• Fire damage (1940) requiring capital investment
• Post-WWII consolidation in wine industry

The cessation of winemaking in 1952 marked the end of 51 years of wine production (1901-1952) at the site.

In 1958, a concert bowl was constructed on the property, launching the Mountain Winery Summer Concert Series.

This represented a fundamental transformation:

• From wine production to entertainment venue
• Leveraging hilltop location and architectural beauty
• Creating new economic model for historic property
• Preserving buildings while changing use

Since the 1960s, the Mountain Winery has hosted exceptional concerts and live entertainment events, becoming far better known as a concert venue than as a winery.

Legendary performers who have appeared:

• Diana Ross
• Ray Charles
• Ella Fitzgerald
• Tony Bennett
• Joan Baez
• Hundreds of other major artists across six decades

Venue Capacity:

• 2,500 seats in outdoor amphitheater
• Intimate setting for seeing major performers
• Spectacular hilltop views
• Historic architecture as backdrop

In 1983, the Mountain Winery received official recognition:

• Listed on National Register of Historic Places (Reference Number 83001239)
• Designated California Historical Landmark #733

This recognition acknowledged:

• Architectural significance (1905-1907 construction)
• Paul Masson's pioneering role in California wine
• Historical importance to Santa Cruz Mountains viticulture
• Preserved 12th-century Spanish portal and earthquake-salvaged stones

Around 2000, Mountain Winery ownership approached Jeffrey Patterson, the acclaimed winemaker from Mount Eden Vineyards, about restarting wine production at the historic site.

Patterson's background:

• Assistant winemaker at Mount Eden (1981)
• Promoted to head winemaker and general manager (1982)
• Renowned for critically acclaimed Chardonnay and Pinot Noir

Vineyard Renovation (2004):

• Completed renovation of 6 acres of estate vineyard
• Re-established vines on historic hilltop site
• 52 years after wine production ceased (1952-2004)

Estate Reserve Series Launch (2006):

• First release of Estate Reserve Series wines since the late 1940s
• Estate Pinot Noir
• Estate Chardonnay
• Limited production focused on quality

This revival demonstrated:

• Continued viability of mountain viticulture at the site
• Connection to historical winemaking tradition
• Preservation of agricultural heritage alongside entertainment use

Limited wine production continues:

• Estate Reserve Series from 6-acre vineyard
• Also produces wines from fruit sourced from Napa, Lodi, Edna Valley
• Wine tasting available Friday-Sunday, 12pm-5pm (no reservations necessary)
• Far smaller scale than historic operations (1901-1952)

AEG Live serves as exclusive operator of the venue, managing:

• Summer Concert Series (primary revenue driver)
• Corporate events
• Weddings
• Private events
• Photo shoots

Current Model:

• Primarily entertainment venue
• Limited wine production and tasting
• Historic preservation
• Adaptive reuse of historic wine property

Champagne Production:

• Méthode champenoise sparkling wines
• Traditional bottle fermentation
• Gold medal quality (following 1900 Paris success at Almaden)
• Estate-grown grapes from hilltop vineyard

• Continued champagne production under Paul Masson name
• Estate-bottled, quality-first approach
• 100% varietal wines

• Corporate wine production
• Details of wines produced need research

• 54 years with no wine production
• Vineyards likely removed or abandoned
• Property focused exclusively on concerts/events

From 6-acre estate vineyard (renovated 2004):

• Estate Pinot Noir — Mountain-grown, Santa Cruz Mountains AVA
• Estate Chardonnay — Cool-climate, hilltop site

• Fruit from Napa, Lodi, Edna Valley for additional labels
• Broader portfolio beyond estate production

Production Philosophy:

• Limited estate production honoring historical tradition
• Wine as complement to concert/event venue operations
• Quality focus consistent with Paul Masson legacy

• Paul Masson's hilltop residence
• Built on knoll above winery
• Used for entertaining and hosting legendary wine parties
• Current use needs verification

• Three-story sandstone structure
• Gravity-flow design
• Rebuilt 1907 using:
  • Stones from 1860s Saratoga Wine Company (earthquake-destroyed)
  • 12th-century Spanish portal from St. Patrick's Cathedral, San Jose (earthquake-destroyed)
• National Register of Historic Places (1983)
• California Historical Landmark #733

• Capacity: 2,500 seats
• Setting: Outdoor, hilltop, surrounded by vineyards and historic architecture
• Season: Summer Concert Series annually
• Managed by: AEG Live

• Hours: Friday-Sunday, 12pm-5pm
• Reservations: Not necessary
• Offerings: Estate Reserve Series, sourced wines

• Corporate event spaces
• Wedding venue
• Private event capabilities
• Photo shoot locations

• Address: 14831 Pierce Road, Saratoga, CA 95070
• Phone: (408) 741-2822
• Website: https://www.mountainwinery.com

• Paul Masson — Founder (1901-1936), "Champagne King of California"
• Martin Ray ("Rusty Ray") — Owner (1936-1942/1943), later founded Mount Eden
• Jeffrey Patterson — Winemaker (~2000-2006), restarted wine production; primary role at Mount Eden Vineyards
• Bill Hirschman — Current co-owner (Chateau Masson, LLC)

• Mountain Winery estate vineyard — 6 acres, renovated 2004, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
• Historical estate vineyard — Original Paul Masson plantings (1901-1950s)

• Paul Masson Winery — Founder's overall wine operation (Almaden, Mountain Winery)
• Mount Eden Vineyards — Founded 1945 by Martin Ray after selling Mountain Winery
• Almaden Vineyards — Where Paul Masson worked before establishing Mountain Winery

• Seagram — Corporate owner (1942/1943-?)
• AEG Live — Current exclusive operator (concerts/events)
• National Park Service — National Register of Historic Places listing
• California Office of Historic Preservation — California Historical Landmark #733

The Mountain Winery matters to Santa Cruz Mountains and California wine history for five critical reasons:

Demonstrated mountain viticulture potential and proved California could produce world-class sparkling wine:

• Established mountain winery when most production was in valleys
• Continued Masson's "Champagne King" reputation from Almaden
• Used authentic méthode champenoise (no shortcuts)
• Proved hilltop sites viable for quality wine production
• Created architectural landmark expressing wine culture

Physical embodiment of California wine and earthquake history:

• 1860s Saratoga Wine Company stones — Pioneer era incorporated into structure
• 12th-century Spanish portal — St. Patrick's Cathedral ruins repurposed
• 1906 earthquake destruction and 1907 creative rebuilding — Resilience and resourcefulness
• National Register of Historic Places (1983)
• California Historical Landmark #733

The winery building literally contains:

• Pioneer wine era (1860s stones)
• Spanish colonial heritage (12th-century portal)
• Earthquake disaster (1906)
• Paul Masson's vision (1905-1907)

This makes it one of California's most historically layered wine structures.

Direct transmission of quality winemaking philosophy:

• Masson mentored Ray personally
• Ray absorbed estate-bottled, quality-first principles
• Knowledge chain: French Burgundy → Paul Masson → Martin Ray → Mount Eden → modern Santa Cruz Mountains wine
• Ray's later Mount Eden success validated Masson's teachings
• Demonstrated importance of mentorship in California wine

Maintained mountain viticulture during "lost middle" decades:

• One of only three Santa Cruz Mountains wineries in 1946 (alongside Hallcrest and Novitiate)
• Operated continuously 1901-1952 (51 years)
• Survived Prohibition through grape sales and medicinal champagne
• Preserved mountain wine tradition until modern revival

Demonstrated how historic wine properties can preserve heritage while changing use:

• Wine production ceased 1952; concert venue opened 1958
• Architectural preservation through economic transformation
• Buildings maintained for 120+ years (1905-present)
• National Register listing ensures continued preservation
• Brief wine production revival (2006) shows multiple uses possible

This model shows that historic wine estates can:

• Survive economically without continuous wine production
• Preserve architectural and historical significance
• Serve new purposes while honoring heritage
• Generate revenue for maintenance through events/tourism

• Primary Operations: Concert venue and event space (AEG Live exclusive operator)
• Wine Production: Limited; Estate Reserve Series from 6-acre vineyard; sourced wines
• Tasting Room: Open Friday-Sunday, 12pm-5pm (no reservations needed)
• Amphitheater Capacity: 2,500 seats for summer concert series
• Ownership: Chateau Masson, LLC (Bill Hirschman, co-owner)
• Historic Designation: National Register of Historic Places (1983, Reference #83001239); California Historical Landmark #733
• Vineyard: 6 acres estate (renovated 2004); Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
• Website: https://www.mountainwinery.com

• Exact construction dates — 1901 vs. 1905 founding (sources conflict); need to reconcile when vineyard planting vs. building construction occurred
• 1906 earthquake damage details — Extent of destruction, cost of rebuilding, timeline
• Saratoga Wine Company history — Details of the 1860s winery whose stones were salvaged
• St. Patrick's Cathedral portal — Verification that it's actually 12th-century; how Masson acquired it
• Prohibition-era operations — Volume of grape sales, details of medicinal champagne dispensation
• Paul Masson sale to Martin Ray (1936) — Purchase price, terms, why Masson sold
• 1940 fire details — Cause, extent of damage, what survived, rebuilding
• Exact sale date to Seagram — 1942 or 1943? Price and terms?
• Seagram era operations — What wines did they produce? Why did production cease in 1952?
• 1952-1958 transition — What happened to property between winemaking cessation and concert bowl construction?
• Concert bowl construction — Who built it? Cost? Initial programming?
• Ownership history 1952-present — Who owned property between Seagram and current Chateau Masson, LLC?
• Jeffrey Patterson timeline — Exact dates hired/departed? Why did he leave Mount Eden for Mountain Winery?
• 2004 vineyard renovation — Varietals planted, acreage breakdown, viticulture practices
• 2006 Estate Reserve wines — Production volumes, critical reception, still being made?
• Current wine production — How many cases per year? Who makes wine now that Patterson departed?
• Historic vineyard details — What varietals did Masson plant? Acreage? Still any original vines?
• The Chateau current use — Is it used for events? Residence? Open to public?

• National Register of Historic Places nomination — Reference #83001239 (1983)
• California Historical Landmark designation — Landmark #733
• Property records — Santa Clara County Assessor, ownership transfers
• Paul Masson business records — If extant; production logs, sales records
• Martin Ray papers — UC Davis Special Collections (ark:/13030/c87946xw/dsc/)
• Contemporary newspaper coverage — 1906 earthquake damage, 1907 rebuilding, 1936 sale, 1940 fire, 1952 closure, 1958 concert bowl opening

• Needed: Jeffrey Patterson about 2000-2006 wine production revival
• Needed: Current Chateau Masson, LLC ownership about operations, preservation
• Needed: AEG Live management about venue operations, historic preservation approach
• Potential: Long-time Saratoga community members with memories of Masson/Ray/Seagram eras

• Charles L. Sullivan, Companion to California Wine and other wine history works
• Thomas Pinney, A History of Wine in America
• Santa Cruz Mountains wine region histories
• Paul Masson biographical works
• Martin Ray biographical materials

• Paul Masson Mountain Winery | U.S. National Park Service
• Mountain Winery - Wikipedia
• The Mountain Winery Official Website
• Mountain Winery, Saratoga (formerly Paul Masson Winery) - Clio
• Paul Masson Mountain Winery Historical Marker
• Amphitheater Information | Mountain Winery
• Martin Ray: A Tribute to the California Wine Master | Tastemaker

• 1901 Paul Masson purchased Saratoga property and planted vineyards
• 1905 construction of The Chateau and La Cresta winery
• 1906 earthquake damage to winery
• 1907 rebuilding using Saratoga Wine Company stones and St. Patrick's Cathedral portal
• Paul Masson's champagne production using méthode champenoise
• Prohibition survival through grape sales and medicinal champagne
• 1936 sale to Martin Ray
• 1940 fire destroyed much of winery
• 1942/1943 sale to Seagram (exact year uncertain)
• Martin Ray retained winery name, purchased nearby site (Mount Eden)
• 1952 wine production ceased
• 1958 concert bowl constructed; Summer Concert Series launched
• 1983 National Register of Historic Places listing (Reference #83001239)
• California Historical Landmark #733
• ~2000 Jeffrey Patterson hired as winemaker
• 2004 estate vineyard renovation (6 acres)
• 2006 Estate Reserve Series first release since late 1940s
• Present: AEG Live exclusive operator; 2,500-seat amphitheater; wine tasting Fri-Sun

• Exact timeline: 1901 (purchase) vs. 1905 (construction) needs reconciliation
• Details of 1906 earthquake damage and 1907 rebuilding
• Verification that portal is actually 12th-century Spanish
• Complete Prohibition-era operations details
• Seagram-era wine production (1942/1943-1952)
• Ownership chain 1952-present
• Jeffrey Patterson exact dates and reasons for involvement
• Current wine production volumes and winemaking team

• Whether portal is truly "12th-century" or later
• Complete story of Masson's acquisition of portal from St. Patrick's rubble
• Exact cause and extent of 1940 fire
• Why wine production ceased in 1952 (corporate decision? Economics? Other?)
• What happened to property 1952-1958 before concert venue
• Current ownership structure (Chateau Masson, LLC details)
• Whether original Masson vines survive anywhere on property
• The Chateau's current use and condition

---

See Also:

• Paul Masson — Founder, "Champagne King of California"
• Martin Ray — Owner 1936-1942/1943, later founded Mount Eden
• Mount Eden Vineyards — Founded 1945 by Martin Ray with proceeds from Mountain Winery sale
• Almaden Vineyards — Where Paul Masson worked before Mountain Winery
• Jeffrey Patterson — Winemaker who revived wine production ~2000-2006
• Hallcrest Vineyards — One of the other two 1946 Santa Cruz Mountains wineries
• Novitiate Winery — Third of the 1946 Santa Cruz Mountains wineries
• Historic Wine Properties as Event Venues — Topic page (future)
• 1906 Earthquake Impact on California Wine — Topic page (future)