Pedro Sainsevain
Don Pedro Sainsevain | |
|---|---|
| Born | Pierre Sainsevain Template:Birth date Bordeaux, France |
| Died | October 4, 1904 (aged 85) |
| Occupation(s) | Vintner, rancher, miner, businessman |
| Known for | Early California sparkling wine production; signer of the 1849 Californian Constitution; involvement in California Gold Rush |
Don Pedro Sainsevain (born Pierre; November 20, 1818 – October 4, 1904) was a vintner and rancher originally from France who became a prominent figure in California. He is recognized for his early contributions to sparkling wine production in California and for his role as a signer of the 1849 Californian Constitution. Additionally, he was involved in the initial stages of the California Gold Rush.
Life
Sainsevain, initially a carpenter from Bordeaux, France, arrived in Santa Barbara, California, aboard the ship Ayacucho on July 4, 1839. Tasked by his family to find his uncle Jean-Louis Vignes in Los Angeles, he ultimately settled on Vignes' estate, El Aliso, where he helped cultivate grapes and oranges and supported winemaking efforts. By 1840, he was transporting wine and brandy along the California coastline, which took him to Monterey and Branciforte for the first time. In 1841, he took up work at Vignes’ sawmill located near San Bernardino.
In 1843, Governor Manuel Micheltorena awarded Sainsevain the Rancho Cañada del Rincon en el Rio San Lorenzo near Santa Cruz. That same year, together with Charles Roussillon (also known as "Rochon"), he established one of the earliest sawmills in the San Lorenzo River valley. The following year, he obtained authorization to construct a flour mill on the Guadalupe River in San Jose capable of processing 75 fanegas daily. In 1845, he married Paula Suñol (1827–1883), daughter of Antonio Suñol, owner of Rancho Los Coches. In 1846, Sainsevain and Roussillon built the schooner Antonita at Santa Cruz; this vessel sailed to Hawaii to acquire copper sheathing. The subsequent year saw Roussillon participate in California’s inaugural jury trial.
By 1848, Sainsevain and his partners were mining gold near Coloma, including at Don Pedro's Bar along the Tuolumne River. In 1849, they transitioned towards commercial ventures by opening a store in Stockton that catered to miners involved in the Gold Rush. They also owned a hotel in San Jose that functioned as California’s first State House. That year, Sainsevain served as a delegate at the 1849 California Constitutional Convention held in Monterey.
Wine
In 1859, Sainsevain sold Rancho Cañada del Rincon en el Rio San Lorenzo and joined forces with his brother Jean Louis to purchase the El Aliso vineyards in Los Angeles from their uncle Jean-Louis Vignes ("Don Luis Del Aliso"). The brothers expanded vineyard operations at El Aliso and launched a retail outlet in San Francisco by 1857. By 1858, their production of wine and brandy reached approximately 125,000 gallons annually, making them leaders in California’s industry. Their San Francisco cellars began producing champagne in 1857; however, this endeavor did not succeed financially and resulted in economic setbacks. The partnership ended during the 1860s, leaving Jean Louis as sole proprietor when El Aliso was sold in 1865.
That same year, the brothers acquired a portion of Rain’s Rancho Cucamonga to develop an extensive vineyard. Their Claret wine won top honors at the county fair in 1868. By 1870, they were operating the Cucamonga vineyard and winery alongside Joseph S. Garcia. In 1874, they expanded their holdings by purchasing land in Hawker Canyon near Etiwanda where they constructed a large stone residence and water reservoir.
Pierre Sainsevain traveled to Central America in 1875 before returning to his villa in San Jose five years later. Following his wife’s passing in 1883, he spent his remaining years back in France.
Legacy
The Don Pedro Reservoir, located behind Don Pedro Dam, derives its name from the mining settlement of Don Pedros Bar.[1]
Regional landmarks such as San Sevaine Flats and San Sevaine Lookout in the San Gabriel Mountains, along with several streets named (often with spelling variations) after the brothers in Los Angeles (previously known as Commercial Street), Rancho Cucamonga, Mira Loma, and Fontana, demonstrate their enduring impact on the area. Additionally, the San Sevaine flood control channel and spreading grounds carry their name.[2]
Jean Louis Sainsevain
Jean Louis Sainsevain (1817–1889), originally from Béguey near Bordeaux, France, came to Los Angeles in 1855 to join his brother Pierre. In 1868, he was awarded a municipal contract to design and implement a new domestic water system for the city.[2][3]
Bibliography
- Notes
- References
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See also
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<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedIllustrated History - ↑ "Water in Early Los Angeles". Water and Power Associates. Retrieved 9 March 2014.