HISTORY & BIOGRAPHIES

The 455 acre Pietra Santa estate was first developed by Frenchman Theophile Vache in the 1850s. Here among the foothills of the Gabilan Mountains, he discovered the Cienega Valley, a small but unique area just 25 miles east of the Monterey Bay. The Valley is literally bisected by the San Andreas Fault, and over the years geological evolution filled the soils with granite and limestone ideally suited for growing top quality winegrapes. Vache recognized the benefits of the soil and the maritime climate and cultivated vines in the Valley. By the turn of the century, wines from the vineyard's grapes had gained international acclaim.

After a series of ownership changes, the vineyards were neglected and ultimately overrun by the wild boars that live in the area. In 1989, Joseph Gimelli purchased the estate with the goal of restoring the vines to their former splendor. He saved several blocks including Zinfandel dating back to 1906 and replanted the rest to Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio. Thirty acres of terraced, hillside vineyards were also added.

In 1991 Italian winemaker Alessio Carli was brought in to oversee viticulture and winemaking and establish an olive oil program at the estate. Alessio has degrees in enology and agronomy and experience in winemaking at Fattoria Il Castagno and the renowned Badia a Coltibuono in Tuscany. Alessio also served as winemaker for Viansa Winery in Sonoma County.

The estate's renaissance was completed in 1998 with the addition of a spectacular Spanish Mission style winery complete with a striking bell-tower. Alessio helped design the state-of-the-art winemaking facility with the goal of producing wines of the highest quality level possible. The winery features an olive oil pressing room furnished with an authentic Italian press. Olive groves were also planted on the estate.

Pietra Santa was recently purchased by the Blackburn Family - John, Phyllis and son Cortlandt (Cort) - who have been farming in the surrounding area for almost 50 years. They fell in love with the estate because of its beautiful location, superb vineyards, and state-of-the-art winery. According to Phyllis Blackburn, "It was just too special to resist, and we look forward to the opportunity it offers our family to continue our stewardship of the land. It's a wonderful thought to entrust this legacy to the guard of our children and grandchildren."
 

BIOGRAPHY - Phyllis and John Blackburn

BIOGRAPHY - Cortlandt Blackburn (Cort)

BIOGRAPHY - Alessio Carli