1812-1869
Agoston Haraszthy
1823
Mission San Francisco de Solano founded
1832
Viviano plants Rancho Lac — the first private vineyard in Sonoma.
1833-1893
Kate Johnson — local resident, cat lady & philanthropist.
1844
Rancho Lac land grant & early vineyards.
1857
Agoston Haraszthy and California’s first wine cave.
1857
California's First Wine Cave
1859 – ?
Haraszthy Villa
1862-1879
Buena Vista Vinicultural Society — California’s first corporate winery.
1862 & 1864
CA first stone winery
1864
Rancho Buena Vista established.
1883-1923
Buena Vista Castle — the Country Retreat era.
1893
My Wife's Lovers Carl Kahler
1906
BVVS Ruins damaged by 1906 SF earthquake
1909-1921
Residence of Henri & Augustine Cailleaud
1921-1923
State Farm for Delinquent Women / Castle converted.
1922
Antonia & Bart — honeymoon and partnership begins.
1922-1923
Hospital for State Farm
1924-1943
SDC (State Department/Care) extension for epileptics.
1946-1957
Sonoma Valley Hospital & Convalescent Home uses.
1946
Antonia Bartholomew in the vineyard
1946-1957
Sonoma Valley Hospital
Since 1947
Buildings restored and Buena Vista revived.
1949
Buena Vista reopens after restoration.
1955
Antonia hosting Buena Vista.
1957-1972
Convalescent Home
1964
Haraszthy Cellars & revived Buena Vista activity.
1973-1989
Hacienda Winery operations.
1991-2018
Bartholomew Park Winery era.
2019 – Present
Bartholomew Estate Winery opens — continuing the legacy.
1812
NOW
Christian Miwok settler Viviano homesteads a 179-acre parcel (Rancho Lac) and plants a six-acre vineyard — recorded as the first private vineyard in Sonoma.
Kate Johnson is one of the notable local personalities associated with the estate’s 19th-century history.
The Rancho Lac land grant and early plantings by Viviano, Julius Rose (1854) and others establish the first vineyard footprint that later becomes Bartholomew Park.
Noted viticulturist Agoston Haraszthy plants vineyards here and builds what is recorded as one of California’s first wine caves on the property.
The Buena Vista Vinicultural Society is one of the region’s earliest organized winemaking efforts, operating through the 1860s-1870s and shaping local viticulture.
Land consolidations and ranch activity create Rancho Buena Vista — the agricultural core that later houses vineyards and estate features.
The Castle and expansive gardens become the region’s largest residence and a center for hospitality through the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
World's most famous cat painting
The castle was repurposed as a dormitory/institution and hospital work was completed in 1922; the Castle was destroyed in 1923.
Antonia Patzelt Bartholomew and Frank H. Bartholomew form a lifelong partnership that later becomes central to the property's revival.
During the interwar period the property served institutional and medical uses prior to mid-century restoration efforts.
After institutional use, parts of the property became associated with healthcare and convalescent care through mid-century.
Antonia is photographed and documented working in new vineyards.
Restoration projects reshape the historic architecture; Buena Vista buildings are repaired after earlier earthquake damage, and the winery reopens post-restoration.
Reopening and renewed interest in historic California winemaking help reintroduce Buena Vista and its legacy to the public.
Antonia is photographed hosting Buena Vista events (1955), showing hands-on stewardship of the site.
Mid-century vintners and winemaking ventures work to revive historic wine production on the site.
The site hosts several winery operations during the late 20th century; these set the stage for later nonprofit stewardship and winery evolution.
During this period, Bartholomew Foundation leased the winery building to the Vineburg company which operated a tasting room on site under the name Bartholomew Park Winery.
Following the closure of Bartholomew Park Winery, the Foundation opened Bartholomew Estate Winery, which is wholly owned by the Bartholomew Park Foundation, supports the Foundation's stewardship, public access and wine production.