The current Rio Vista Vineyard property was settled in the late 1800’s by Portuguese immigrants, many from the Azores. The farmhouse, recently restored, was built around the turn of the century. There have been a number of visits from early occupants who were born or grew up on the property. Their stories describe an original vineyard that was in the same location as block 7 of the present Rio Vista Vineyard. They also brought photographs of large catches of steelhead from the Santa Ynez River displayed on the front porch of the farmhouse