Los Angeles herald., 1890-07-31

ate excepting the Mission variety in
troduced by the Mission fathers when
they came from Spain by way of Mexico.
The varieties of wine were of course very
limited, and very little of the product
of this state was at all acceptable to
the taste of the consumers. No end of
difficulties arose ON all sides, and it re-
ouired persistent effort of the most
herculean nature to overcome the OBJ
stacles cast in the way OF the new
firm. 1t required all the natural
stoicism of the German character, made
vital by the enthusiasm of young man
who had chosen his calling in life and
would not be defeated in his purpose to
continue to battle with the great odds
against him, and, finally, to triumph
over all antagonisms and win success
out of such hard circumstances. But
the natural obstinacy of the'man with
his love for his work, wrung success out
of the obstacles in his way. The proof
of this success is best found in the popu-
larity of the house under all its styles in
all the years of its existence, and the
ready sale of all goods offered under the
brands OF the house, things that have
steadily increased at all periods Of its
career, and which today are greater than
ever.
In 1875 Hon. L. j. Rose was admitted
to a partnership in the firm. Samuel
C. Perkins died in 1879, his father hav-
ing passed away previous to that date.
The firm name was then changed to
Stern q Rose. So it continued until
1887, when on the sale of Sunny Slope
to the English syndicate Mr.. Rose re-
tired from wine-making, and the
business was continued by Mr.. Chas.
Stern, who added his three sons to the
firm, under the style of Chas. Stern &
Sons.
The dealings of this house have always
been marked by a directness, fairness
and absolute integrity, resulting in win
ming a most enviabe reputation for all
the goods handled under its brands.
These goods now enjoy national repu-
tation among all connosseurs in good
wines and brandies. The plant of the
firm on the river bank by the covered
bridge, in this city, is known here as
the oldest, and now as the
largest and most perfect in the
section. The head of the house
has spent lifetime in the business, and
every hour has been devoted to the
study of the work. His sons have been
all educated as wine men from their
early years, and the practical expert
ence of all the members OF the firm
puts them far in the lead of all competi
tors in their line. Mr.. Alfred Stern is
the resident man here. He lives with
his family in the lovely cottage en-
powered in shrubs and flowers Just by
the distillery on Mission road. His
lawn and trees show little of the
leisure hours he can snatch from the
duties of his profession, and their luxu
RANT growth shows that he is skilled in
more than one art.
Mr.. Charles Stern says if sophisticated
goods could be kept out of the way there
would not be half enough grapes in the
state to make brandy, SO great is the
demand for pure California goods of this
kind. AS it is too many dealers take
one barrel Of pure goods, and by the
addition OF spirits convert that into six
barrels. The output Of the Stern distil-
lery last year was 10000 gallons. The
crop of grapes this year is good, and but
for the depressed state of the market re-
sulting from the malpractices of these
rectiiers, the prices would range at $40
to $50 ton. But in the demoralized
state of the market the prices are not
likely to go far above half these figures.