Moraga's Pear Growing History
Before commercial farming, the land that became Moraga was part of the Moraga family's rancho. In the 19th century the valley drew cattle ranchers and farmers who grew vegetables, fruit, and nuts.
The pear era really began in the early 1900s. James Irvine planted the orchards in 1913 for his Moraga Company, a ranch and agribusiness of nearly 11,000 acres that also grew walnuts, apples, peaches, apricots, beans and beets. The trees were mostly Bartletts. Marketed as "Moraga Pears," the operation was the largest in California from 1914 to 1944 and gained a worldwide reputation. Trains stopped in town to load fruit bound for the East Coast and beyond, as well as for local canneries like Del Monte in Oakland.
The decline came with suburban growth. By the time Utah Mining and Construction bought the 5,000 acres of orchard land in 1953, only 150 acres of pear trees were left, and more were later removed for shopping centers and subdivisions. Today no commercial pear orchards remain in the area, but scattered old trees survive, and the Moraga Park Foundation organizes an annual gleaning of the town's pear trees, donating the fruit to the Contra Costa and Solano County Food Bank. The town's legacy lives on in its symbol too: a green Bartlett pear.
The Pear and Wine Festival
The Pear Festival began around 1999 as a town-sponsored harvest celebration at Moraga Commons Park. In 2011, marking its 13th year, it was renamed the Pear and Wine Festival to reflect the rise of local winemaking; organizer John Haffner explained that the emergence of Lamorinda wine growers made the change a natural fit. That first year, the mayor rolled up her pants and crushed grapes barefoot on stage.
The event is free and family-oriented, with traditions like a pear recipe contest and a pear pie-eating contest, local wine tasting, kids' activities, and community booths. One local winery, Vincenza Ranch, became known for an exclusive pear wine made each year for the festival. The 2020 edition was canceled due to COVID-19, and in 2024 the festival coincided with the town's 50th anniversary of incorporation, kicked off by a street parade.
It's traditionally held on the fourth Saturday in September, which would put this year's festival on September 26, 2026. I couldn't find confirmed details for this year, so it's worth checking the Town of Moraga's website before heading out.
** Image courtesy of Moraga Historical Society