News Details (Posted: January 18, 2006):

In search of our roots: An oasis of history

Full Description:

Tucked away behind a storage rental facility and across the street from a large auto dealership is a small remnant of little known Fontana history, soon to be bulldozed out of existence. The Marie Liabeuf Winery was founded in 1925 on Poplar Street in Fontana, south of Valley Boulevard (now bordered by the Interstate 10 Freeway on the south). Several acres of green grass and a few stubborn remnants of a once abundant vineyard provide a pastoral view on the east side of the property, bordered by a century-old eucalyptus windbreak on the north. After the sale of the property, my husband and I had the privilege of visiting the old winery and family home before it was to be razed. Out of respect for the wishes of the family and to protect the property from further vandalism, we did not get involved with making a media issue of the loss of a piece of local history. We were graciously permitted to take pictures and to wander around the property at will.