Castro Valley Loses Another Winery

For thirty-seven years Westover Winery has been a popular spot for fine wine, weddings and many memorable events.  By the end of this year, William Smyth, Kelly Smyth and Ken Tatum will be closing their Castro Valley winery for good.

William Westover Smyth started the vineyards in 1986 and followed soon with a bonded winery.   His family had operated farms in Alameda County since the mid 1800’s.  His great-great grandfather, Henry Smyth, built covered wagons in San Lorenzo.  His great-great aunt was Florence McConaghy of the McConaghy House which is a historical home of the Hayward Area Recreation Department.  William’s grandmother, Ione Westover Smyth, was born on Palomares Canyon Road in 1906 in a historical house which still stands today.  While noting this rich history and the fact that one of his relatives, Josephine Tychson, is documented as the first woman winemaker in California in 1881, it is sad to see this family farming legacy end.

Over the years, the Westover Winery has hosted hundreds of weddings for all themes and cultures.   In fact, William presided, as minister, over a good many of them.   During one period in the glorious history of the Winery, Westover hosted the famous Band “Big Brother and the Holding Company” famous for launching the career of Janis Joplin.  Also appearing was “It’s a Beautiful Day” known for the song “White Bird” as well as many other famous groups. The popular television shows “Bay Area Backroads”, “Eye on the Bay” and “Fox Business News” featured the winery.   

“I will not miss the over regulations of businesses and high crime in Alameda County, but I will miss the thousands of customers and friends we have made over the years” states William.  This is a second retirement for both William and Kelly.  William comes from the medical field while Kelly was a teacher in public schools.

Moving forward, William and Kelly plan to stay at the property making home wine and raising their chickens as well as continue their volunteer work with Rotary International.  They have already done humanitarian work in Kenya, Mexico, Central America, Europe and Asia.  These projects have mostly centered around medical work but they also handed out 400 turkeys to the needy, worked with guide dogs for the blind, rang the bell for the Salvation Army and even visited Ukraine in the war zone after raising thousands of dollars and medical supplies for this war-torn country.

They wish everyone sincere thanks for all the great years and wish happy holidays to all.