by David King
Few realize that nestled in the hills of Martinez, the William Welch Winery holds a remarkable place in the story of Central Contra Costa County. More than just a boutique winery, it sits on land steeped in the region’s earliest history—land originally granted to William Welch, whose lineage is tied to some of the most iconic founding families of the area.
Names like Salvio Pacheco, Francisco Galindo, Ignacio Martinez, Vallejo, Moraga, and Patrick and Mary Rodgers are familiar to local historians—and all connect back to Welch and the original Rancho Las Juntas. Yet, over time, this chapter of this shared heritage has faded from view.
That is changing, thanks to Welch descendant and current winery owner Steve Welch, who is committed to reviving his family’s storied past and sharing it with the community. In a celebration over a decade in the making, the William Welch Winery will host a historic family reunion from July 3–6, 2025. More than 30 confirmed Welch descendants from across California, Arizona, and beyond will gather, marking a significant moment in preserving this local legacy.
William Welch, Steve’s great-great-great-grandfather, was an Irish sailor who leapt into California history—literally.
In 1821, at just 24 years old, he jumped ship in Bodega Bay from the British vessel Lady Blackwood. With fellow crewmate Joseph Lawrence, he fled to San Francisco, then to Los Angeles. While Lawrence stayed south, Welch returned north and integrated into early Californio society, being baptized at Mission Santa Clara as Julian Willis and later marrying Maria Antonia Galindo, sister of Concord co-founder Francisco Galindo.
Welch’s journey from sailor to soldier to landowner was hard-fought. Initially granted land near Mt. Diablo by Alcalde Salvio Pacheco—only to be displaced when Pacheco realized it was land he had also claimed—Welch eventually found a home between the Pacheco and Martinez ranchos, along the confluence of Alhambra and Walnut Creeks. In 1844, after years of perseverance, he was granted the 13,324-acre Rancho Las Juntas, which then spans parts of what is now Martinez, Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek, and Pacheco.
Today, Steve Welch honors that heritage through wine. The William Welch Winery and Rancho Las Juntas Vineyard are more than places to enjoy a glass of wine—they are living history. Visitors are welcome Sundays from 2–5 p.m. at the vineyard (1830 Franklin Canyon Rd.), or Fridays and Saturdays at the downtown Martinez Tasting Room (837 Main St.). Sip, savor, and step into the story of one of Contra Costa’s original pioneers.
For more on Welch’s adventurous life, visit www.williamwelchwines.com.
