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Modern Day Foodie
The California Spanish Dynasty Still Kicking
2024-03-04
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This is the story of a prominent California family that helped pioneer the Spanish territory of Alta California (California), brought California into statehood, have cities named for them, and pioneered the wine business in California. Not only is one of them considered the father of California wine growing. But his father-in-law started the wine town of Sonoma, California. This is the story of the Vallejo family. Their descendants are still very much Californian.
California state flag on wood.Photo byPublic Domain
Ignacio Vicente Ferrer Vallejo y Gómez
Ignacio was born in Jalisco, New Spain (México) in 1754. As a young man he enlisted as a "soldado de cuera" ("leather jacket") in Spain's frontier militia and was posted to the Presidio of San Diego around 1775. A year before the United States gained their independence.
Around 1790 he was moved to the Presidio of Monterey in Alta California, New Spain (now California). While on assignment to the Presidio of Santa Bárbara he married María Antonia Isabela Lugo y Martínez in the Presidio Chapel on February 18, 1791.
Ignacio died May 10, 1832. He was buried in the old Monterey Royal Presidio Chapel Cemetery. Now called San Carlos Cathedral. The Royal Presidio Chapel of San Carlos still stands today as a reminder of Monterey, California’s Spanish and Mexican origins.
Monterey, California - Cathedral of San Carlos Borromeo (Royal Presidio Chapel)Photo byColorado Martini
Maria and Ignacio had twelve children. Many who contributed to California’s history.
General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo
Out of all the children Mariano was the most famous in California history. He was a Californian Military Commander, Politician, and Rancher. He held the highest military post as Commanding General in Alta California and at one time was the most powerful military man in California.
General Mariano Guadalupe VallejoPhoto byPublic Domain
His life spanned the Colonial Spain, Mexican and American eras in California. General Vallejo was an important part in the development of California as a state in the Union. Fore he was instrumental in creating California's first Constitution in 1849. Then served in the California State legislature. The city of Vallejo in Northern California bears his name and was founded by him.
According to his Great Great Grandson, Vallejo (Val) Haraszthy, Mariano founded Sonoma in 1835. He pioneered winemaking in Sonoma and made wine in the army barracks still located on Sonoma's town square.
Mariano Vallejo was also the last of the Mexican governors of Alta (northern) California and a winemaker. On June 14, 1846, Mariano was captured and arrested by a group of Sonoma settlers called the "Bear Flaggers." The Bear Flaggers took him prisoner, lowered the Mexican flag, and raised their flag “bearing” a grizzly bear, a star and the words "California Republic." The uprising became known as “the bear flag revolt.” Twenty-five days later California gained its statehood. The bear flag became the official flag of California in 1911.
The raising of the Bear Flag and proclamation of the California Republic on June 14, 1846.Photo byPublic Domain via Wikipedia
The former Mexican commandante and his family embraced a new way of life as part of the United States. The General died in 1890 at the age of 81 in Sonoma, California. A town he also founded. He is buried at Mountain Cemetery, Sonoma.
Natalia V. Vallejo Haraszthy
General Mariano Vallejo and his wife Francisca had thirteen children. Natalia was one of their daughters. Her family line I find very interesting. Because if you are from the California wine country, the name Haraszthy (hare-as-te) could be very familiar to you.
Natalia Vallejo was married to the Hungarian Attila Haraszthy. Attila was the son of Agoston Haraszthy. A Hungarian-American pioneer winemaker in Wisconsin and California. Agoston was often referred to as the "Father of California Viticulture" or the "Father of Modern Winemaking in California."
Her father-in-law, Agoston was the first men to plant vineyards in Wisconsin, founded the Buena Vista vineyards (now Buena Vista Carneros) in Sonoma, California, and an early writer on California wine culture.
Attila’s father was the first Hungarian to settle permanently in the United States. In San Diego, he is remembered as the first town marshal and sheriff. In California he introduced more than three hundred varieties of European grapes. Agoston Haraszthy purchased land in Sonoma, named it Buena Vista, and put his son Attila Haraszthy in charge.
Arpad and Attila Haraszthy were married in a double ceremony to sisters Jovita and Natalia Vallejo. Their marriages were a blend made in California wine county that continues today.
Did you know about this family's connection to California’s wine country? Let us know in the comments.
Actress Natalie Kingson
Actress Natalie KingstonPhoto byPublic Domain via Wikipedia
Natalia and Attila Haraszthy had four children. One of their daughters was Natalie Vallejo Haraszthy Wheeland. This Natalie’s only child was actress Natalie Kingson of silent and talkie films.
She was paired with the likes of John Wanye (His Private Secretary - 1933). Played “Jane” in one of two Tarzan movies and many more. Natalie Kingston died in 1991 in the Los Angeles area.
Vallejo (Val) Haraszthy
Vallejo (Val) Haraszthy established Haraszthy Family Cellars in 2006. Wines are produced from grapes grown in Sonoma Valley, Lodi, and Amador County.
Haraszthy Wine Cellars wine labels honoring the Bear from the California flags and the Bear Flaggers.Photo byHaraszthy Wine Cellars
Val Haraszthy’s family has lived in Sonoma Valley continuously for six generations now. He is the great great grandson of famous California pioneer General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo and Agoston Haraszthy. As mentioned above.
What I love about the Haraszthy Family Cellars is how they have honored California heritage and their family by using the bear on the label of their wine.
Did you know about this family? Let us know in the comments.
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