November 18, 2004

2004 a good year for old winery
Restoring a vintage landmark

By Kymberli W. Brady
Staff Writer

With a seedling and a dream, Etienne Theé left his homeland in Bordeaux more than 150 years ago and replanted his roots in a small plot of land that he christened Almaden—named after a quicksilver mine he passed along the way. He later pioneered the art of winemaking in California and garnered illustrious international recognition for one of America’s oldest and favored wines.

Today the name lives on in the community that has grown up around the historic red brick building nestled in Almaden Winery Park. Many who grew up with the familiar landmark will soon inhabit its walls, as the day nears when the elegant new entryway will open to reveal a completely renovated community center with modern amenities.

For several years after the city acquired the two-story masonry facility on Chambertin Drive, it was used primarily for Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Department offices. Using Construction & Conveyance Tax Funds along with Council District 10 and General Funds, the City Council awarded John Plane Construction a $1,764,000 contract for the new project on Dec. 16, 2003.

Nearly a year into the renovation, construction is almost complete and will include a complete structural upgrade, with seismic design and code improvements that will clear the way for public assembly use.

While the bulk of the budget was admittedly used for the steel framework, Vice Mayor Pat Dando said the lighting was equally important.

“We used a lot of the money for some good lighting,” she explained. “We thought it very important for the classes that will be held here.”

Last Friday, those hit hardest by the Almaden Branch Library closure were treated to a sneak peek hardhat tour of the work in progress, as members of the Almaden Senior Association walked through the new entryway into the first of two large multi-purpose rooms, followed by two activity rooms, a preschool room, and a catering kitchen equipped to accommodate large catered parties and events. Once complete, the center will provide classes and programs for the local neighborhood and reunite many of those who have suffered through the time away from their friends.

According to Senior Association President Gerald Clodius, the population took a hit with the closure several months back.

“The seniors have suffered,” he said. “We’re down from 800 to 700 now,

“We have a big contingent of people in the exercise class that meets Monday, Wednesday, and Friday,” explained Don House. “This particular room is ideal for that—and we won’t have to be in the time frame of the library hours. That’s one big congregation of this group.”

“The whole communication ability—having one central place where we can all convene around here,” said House.

“That’s going to pull it all together again.

“There’s around 79 –75 people,” added Almaden Senior Association President Gerald Clodius.

“We’ll be able to spread out now too,” said Deanna Green. “We’ll have room for planning, and a place for our monthly events,

“We lived through two years with no heating and air-conditioning here,” said Marie Alberry-Hawkins, the community area supervisor. “To watch what’s going on now is really exciting, because we’re starting to invest in the community. I think this is going to be a real boon to program and even if it’s not the final resting place for a lot of our programs, it will be a good stepping off place.”

“Our Senior Net registration will be here,” explained Don House. “But it will still be done in the Vineland Library through the rest of this year, when we move back in to the final center.

Hidden upstairs, adjacent to the staff offices, lays a 1,500 square-foot balcony area where the original wine tasting bar and stained glass window remains. Another colorfully leaded window descends the stairs with you as it leads to the first floor—and nearly 15,000 square feet of multi-purpose and activity rooms, along with a large kitchen, ready for catering and available for community use, including public meetings, classes, and receptions, and more.

For added convenience and access to parking, the formal entrance will move to the parking lot side of the building, while the neatly manicured gardens frame the property in rich flora.

“The wine tasting room upstairs hasn’t been touched, but neither were the doors,” said Dando, as she stood in the spot where she remembered coming with her husband when they first moved to Almaden. “And this was all orchards out here,” she added, pointing out off the terrace.

The work, approximately 75 percent complete, commenced in January and is on track for completion by year’s end.

“We are so impressed and surprised that it’s done,” exclaimed Project Manager Agness Wan. “It’s going to be done on time and everyone’s excited.”

“Of the hundred or so projects we’ve got under construction, this is clearly the most important one,” says Deputy Director of Public Works David Clarke. “This is the first time we’ve worked with them, so it’s a very nice surprise. When you’ve got a good contractor and a good set of plans, it seems to come together very well.”

“This is just a prelude to our new facility, which will be fantastic,” added House.

A community celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 11. The center is located at 5730 Chambertin Drive, just off Blossom Hill Road. Among those planning to attend will be Santa.