Wine lovers, take note! Folsom History is excited to welcome Mike Owen, founder of Crystal Basin Cellars, as the next featured guest in its Revealing Folsom speaker series.
The event, titled Revealing Folsom: California’s Rich Wine History, takes place on Thursday, July 17 at 5:30 p.m. at the Folsom History Museum. Guests can look forward to an evening of stories, sips, and a little friendly competition. Mike Owen will explore the rich history of winemaking in California—from Mission-era communion wine and Gold Rush vintners to Prohibition and the rise of Napa and Sonoma. He’ll also share his personal journey through the industry that helped shape El Dorado County’s modern wine scene.
Mike Owen’s winemaking roots go back to 1980, when his family began making wine at home. By 1988, he was leading a group of friends producing nearly 500 cases a year—so much that his mom jokingly told them to “get a room!” With support from his wife Melissa, Mike launched Crystal Basin Cellars commercially in 2000. Since moving to Camino’s Apple Hill in 2006, the winery has flourished—earning gold medals, cultivating a passionate wine club, and showcasing the best of El Dorado County fruit with warm hospitality.
Guests 21 and over will have the opportunity to sample a selection of Crystal Basin’s celebrated wines. Plus, try your luck in the Cork Count Challenge: the guest who comes closest to guessing the number of corks in a giant glass bottle will win a free bottle of wine!
The event runs from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the Folsom History Museum, 823 Sutter Street. It’s the perfect prelude to the Folsom Historic District’s Twilight Concert Series, starting just across the street at 7:30 p.m. in the Zittel Family Amphitheater.
Tickets are $5–$15, with discounts for students and museum members. For more information or to reserve your spot, visit www.folsomhistory.org/events.
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