Alfred L. Tubbs
Alfred Lovering Tubbs | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1827-12-17 Deering, New Hampshire, U.S. |
| Died | 1896-12-26 San Francisco, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Known for | Founder of Chateau Montelena Winery; co-founder of Tubbs Cordage Company |
Alfred Lovering Tubbs (1827–1896) was an innovative businessman recognized for establishing the Chateau Montelena Winery located in Calistoga, California.
Early life
Born on December 17, 1827, in Deering, New Hampshire, Alfred L. Tubbs was the son of Michal and Mehitable Tubbs. Shortly after his birth, his family relocated to Concord, New Hampshire.
Career
Following his completion of primary education, Tubbs entered the merchandising field, initially employed at a wholesale grocery in Baltimore, Maryland, and subsequently as a bookkeeper in Boston, Massachusetts. In early 1850, amid the California Gold Rush, his company dispatched him to California aboard two cargo vessels.
Tubbs identified significant business prospects in San Francisco and, together with his brother Hiram, launched a prosperous chandlery operation. By 1858, they collaborated with a mercantile firm to form the San Francisco Cordage Company—later renamed Tubbs Cordage Company—situated in the Potrero Hill neighborhood. This venture flourished by catering to industries such as shipping, agriculture, construction, and mining. Beginning in 1865, Tubbs served a term as a member of the California State Senate. Additionally, in 1870, the brothers developed a substantial hotel near Lake Merritt in Oakland, California.
In 1882, Alfred Tubbs purchased 322 acres near Calistoga, California, where he constructed both a residence and a winery called Hillcrest Estate. He initially cultivated 110 acres of vineyards with intentions to expand by another 50 acres. The following year, he co-established the Napa Valley Wine Company alongside Charles Krug and other partners. The inaugural grape harvest at Hillcrest Estate took place in 1886. After a fire destroyed the original winery building, it was reconstructed using stone and was eventually renamed Chateau Montelena.
Appointed by Leland Stanford, Tubbs served as a trustee for Stanford University. In November 1895, he joined the board of directors for the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, holding this position for just over one year before stepping down.
Death
Alfred Tubbs passed away unexpectedly on the morning of December 26, 1896, while at his apartment in San Francisco’s Palace Hotel.