wine called Sauterne or Chablis . Later Chinto , with the help of his daughter , Jean ( 3rd generation ), and her husband , Jim Burr , produced varietals such as Chardonnay , Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel .
Anselmo died in 1980 at the age of 90 and the winery was passed on to his son . Three years later at the age of 68 , Chinto decided to retire and the winery was taken over by his two daughters , Jean and Jermain and their husbands , Jim Burr and Jerry Case . Jean and Jim took over the daily operation until 2001 when they closed the winery and sold the property to South Valley Church . You can still see Anselmo Conrotto ’ s home and winery on the southern side as you travel west on Hecker Pass Highway just past the intersection of Santa Teresa Boulevard ; the red barn-looking building is the original winery .
Throughout the 20th Century there have been many wineries on Hecker Pass , some have changed ownership and some have moved locations like the Thomas Kruse Winery ( originally at the corner of Hecker Pass and Watsonville Road ) relocated on the east side of Gilroy at 3200 Dryden Avenue off New Avenue in 2004 . Currently , in Gilroy , there are 4 wineries still on Hecker Pass Highway – Solis Winery , Sarah ’ s Vineyard , Fortino Winery and Hecker Pass Winery .
Jim and Jean Burr still reside in Gilroy and have graciously helped with my research for this article ( a big thank you !). Their continued local support and commitment to preserve and commemorate the history of Gilroy ’ s wine industry is truly amazing .
Anselmo Conrotto ( fourth from left in the front row ) and other members of Gilroy ’ s Piedmont Club at a meeting near Hecker Pass Highway in California in 1929 . Front Row ( l-r ) Emilio Scagliotti , Joseph Viarengo , Giachinto Conrotto , Anselmo Conrotto , Enrico Giachino , Felix Pappani , Camillo Colombano , Virginio Pappani , Serifino Giretti , Back Row : Albert Balanesi , Enrico Marchetti , John Giachino , Dominic Ortalda , Joe Bellini , Dominic Serafini , Ed Scagliotti , John Marchetti . Courtesy of Aldo and Aurora Viarengo .
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