One Young Man’s Dream Begins     
   Valley’s Journey To ‘Wine Country’

‘Early in the 1890s, Fred, Max and Frank Godde homesteaded in the rolling hills of California's Antelope Valley. Like many of the early settlers, they experimented with almond orchards, wheat fields and vineyards. In time, their hard work paid off and the Godde name became synonymous with hard work and quality.’ -- label on a bottle of Godde Estate Private Reserve wine

      When most people think of Antelope Valley, they think of Joshua trees, heat, tumbleweeds, and desolate landscape. However, within the past 20 years people have begun to think of Antelope Valley as something different - wine country.

     Because of the vision of one young Antelope  Valley native in the 1980s, vineyards now cover some of the area’s valleys and hillsides.

     That young man is Steve Godde, son of Forrest Godde, one of the founding families of AntelopeValley. Young Godde attended the University of California at Davis, a well- known viticulture (the study of vines) and enology (the science making wines) course provider, in the mid-80’s.

     The university’s researchers had crossed two grapes - the Grenache Gree and the Muscat of Alexandria - to develop what is now known as the Symphony Grape.

      After graduating from UC Davis, Godde returned to establish a new type of agriculture in the Valley.

       “Twenty years from now people will look back and say of Steve that he was a visionary. He very well might be the most famous of the Godde Family yet!” said Dave Davis, Cameo Vineyards Vintner for 12 years.

       The Godde family name has been associated with the AntelopeValley for as long as anyone can remember. The three Godde brothers, Fred, Max and Frank first visited the Antelope Valley in the 1890’s.

      Born in Germany, the brothers came to America, settling in the Los Angeles area. According to the Godde family history, in 1890, Fred came to the Antelope Valley, walked nine miles from Lancaster towards the foothills, looked over a piece of land and walked back to Palmdale, got on the train to Los Angeles and bought the land.

     It was a 160 acre homestead. The Godde brothers had one section together. Frank had 1/2 and Max and Fred had each a quarter.

    Thus  began the saga of the Godde family in the Valley and what would become the  beginning of vineyards in the Lancaster area.

      Many residents are unaware that the Antelope Valley has a historical background as a wine center. “In the early part of the Century (1890-1900s) everyone had at least a few acres of grapes for wine. There were two major wineries in the area as well as several backyard operations. Then in 1919 came Prohibition…,” Steve Godde said.

       Almost over night the winemaking business was wiped out; the beautiful vineyards sadly were ripped out and replaced with alfalfa.

       Even more devastating, after prohibition was lifted in 1933, grape growing did not immediately return. Most people did not realize that the climate and soil in and around AntelopeValley is compatible with soil and climate in the areas around the Mediterranean Sea - Spain, Southern France, Italy, Greece, etc.

     These countries are famous for their wines, especially sweet wines, according to Ralph Carter, AVA expert.

     Steve Godde was the first in the Antelope Valley to re-plant a commercial vineyard.  It began in 1981 on the west side of the Valley with Godde’s Cameo Ranch and Vineyard. The original family vineyard remained, but Godde planted about five more acres.

      An additional five acres were planted each year after that. The 30-acre vineyard currently grows several types of grapes, including the Trebbiano, Muscat Canelli, Zinfandel, and Symphony.

       Cameo has won numerous awards and ribbons for their wines - especially their Symphony wine. A pure varietal, not a blend, the wine is a favorite at wine tastings throughout the Valley.

      Symphony won the Best White and People’s Choice in the 2006 Wine and Food Festival in Palmdale.

      The winery, located on the same property at 90th St. West and Avenue H, produces more than 5,000 cases of wine each year.

       The facility also crushes and makes wine for many other vineyards in the area, including Quail Crossing, Calandri Family, San Franscisquito, Ciufo, Sierra Paloma  and other vineyards.

       After Godde’s success, others began planting vineyards. There are now four wineries and more than 30 vineyards in the Antelope Valley, Leona Valley, Acton/Agua Dulce, Green Valley and Tehachapi/Cummings Valley areas..

        Thanks to Steve Godde, and those who have followed in his footsteps, Antelope Valley is California’s newest Wine Country.

"Dave Davis swirls no wine before
his time" ~ Steve Godde