The First Bottling
A Family Tradition Since 1868
In 1859, Stephen G. Martinelli, a young Swiss, settled in the temperate and fertile Pajaro Valley near Monterey Bay, California, where the apples were of exceptional quality.
In 1868 he founded S. Martinelli & Company, producing bottle fermented Champagne Cider with apples from California’s first commercial orchards. Martinelli’s Cider soon became well known as the finest available. In 1890 it was awarded the first prize gold medal at the California State Fair, leading to the adoption of the brand trade mark, “Martinelli’s Gold Medal®.”
In 1916, Stephen G. Martinelli Jr. developed a process for making unfermented apple juice while a student at the University of California. During prohibition, the company grew by specializing in non-alcoholic apple juice products, including the first non-alcoholic sparkling cider.
Today Martinelli's cider is the most recognized brand in the United States. Recent innovations include a long list of cider blended with other flavors to produce gourmet tastes.
Photo: Martinelli's sparkling cider bottling line in 1934 (History and photo courtesy of S. Martinelli & Company)
In 1859, Stephen G. Martinelli, a young Swiss, settled in the temperate and fertile Pajaro Valley near Monterey Bay, California, where the apples were of exceptional quality.
In 1868 he founded S. Martinelli & Company, producing bottle fermented Champagne Cider with apples from California’s first commercial orchards. Martinelli’s Cider soon became well known as the finest available. In 1890 it was awarded the first prize gold medal at the California State Fair, leading to the adoption of the brand trade mark, “Martinelli’s Gold Medal®.”
In 1916, Stephen G. Martinelli Jr. developed a process for making unfermented apple juice while a student at the University of California. During prohibition, the company grew by specializing in non-alcoholic apple juice products, including the first non-alcoholic sparkling cider.
Today Martinelli's cider is the most recognized brand in the United States. Recent innovations include a long list of cider blended with other flavors to produce gourmet tastes.
Photo: Martinelli's sparkling cider bottling line in 1934 (History and photo courtesy of S. Martinelli & Company)