Gaspare Indelicato

Agriculture

Gaspare Indelicato immigrated to the United States alone at age 16 from Sicily. He came through Ellis Island and eventually settled in Manteca in 1924.

In 1924, Indelicato and his brother-in-law Sebastiano Luppino bought 68 acres in Manteca that included a run down dairy. They eventually converted the dairy into a vineyard. The brother-in-laws sold and shipped grapes to winemakers on the East Coast during the Prohibition Era.

The end of Prohibition prompted Indelicato to purchase used wine making equipment. In 1835, the Indelicato's officially started their small winery in a converted hay barn. The first year yielded 3,411 gallons that sold for 50 cents a gallon.

Indelicato passed away In 1962. His three sons - Anthony, Frank, and Vincent - as well as other relatives - carried on the wine making business. Today, Delicato Vineyards produces 40 million gallons a year and is the eighth largest winery in California. The firm employs more than 200 people.