Manuel Silva Nevis

In 1890, Portuguese pioneer Manuel Silva Nevis opened the Pioneer Winery at 20th and R Streets as well as the California Winery at 21st and S Streets. Nevis was an early Sacramento wine grower and vintner, as well as an early settler of the farming community that flourished in Sacramento’s modern-day Pocket region. Additionally, Nevis was a master carpenter and built a stately Queen Anne style home about a block north of the winery for his wife, Emma, and their five children. The Nevis home originally sat at 1830 21st Street, but was later moved to its current location at 1822 21st Street. As of 2020, the former Nevis family home houses the Edgar Institute.

On Saturday morning, Sept. 21, 1907, one of the winery’s employees, Joseph L. Manica, who resided at 1621 R St., began to search for Nevis at the winery to receive orders regarding a new carload of grapes that was to be unloaded. After searching for Nevis for several hours, Manica eventually discovered Nevis’ straw hat lying alongside a vat. In worrying that Nevis might have fallen into the vat, Manica went to the bottom of the vat, where his worst fear was quickly realized. Details regarding this incident were published in The Sacramento Bee in Manica’s own words, as follows: “(At the bottom of the vat), I found him in a sitting position and when I shook him, I knew he was dead. I am convinced that he fell into the vat accidentally while on his way to the door.”

Featured images (in order of appearace): 1) Manuel Silva Nevis, 2) Nevis family home located at 1822 21st Street, 3) The California Winery, which was located at 21st and S Streets.