French-born Paul Masson (1859-1940) is considered one of the most important pioneers of Californian viticulture. His name became one of the most successful US brands (see GAMIT). His parents were wealthy winegrowers in Burgundy and sent him to the USA in 1877, where he lived on the estate of his uncle Louis Grozelier in San Jose. He returned to France in 1880 to complete his studies at the Sorbonne. He then returned due to the depression in French viticulture caused by the phylloxera plague and became cellar master at Almaden Vineyards. In 1887, he married the daughter of the owner Charles Lefranc (1825-1887).
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