December 7, 2021 – Winemaker Greg Perrucci has done it again. There is little doubt something magical exists in the soils and climes of the Regan Vineyard in Corralitos: whether it’s Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Nebbiolo or Merlot, this vineyard proves its mettle every year. The latest proof is winning Best Merlot of Show at the 2021 San Francisco International Wine Competition, held in November.
The 2019 Perrucci Family Merlot from Regan Vineyard (owned by John Bargetto) was awarded 96 points and a Double Gold medal. At the same competition, Perrucci Family Vineyard scored Silver for its Perrucci Family Vineyard 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, from mostly estate fruit grown at their Kennedy Road property in Los Gatos, as well as a Silver for its Perrucci Family Vineyard 2018 Sangiovese, also from estate fruit.
Bargetto scored a Double Gold for its 2019 Regan Vineyard Reserve Pinot Noir at the wine competition, and Silvers for their 2019 Regan Chardonnay and 2019 Pommard Clone Pinot Noir. The 2018 Thérèse Vineyards Pinot Noir from Lester Family Vineyards also scored a Silver.
At the Harvest Challenge Competition, held in early November, in which wines from the same AVA are judged together, Perrucci Family Vineyard took Best of the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA for the 2018 Perrucci Family Pinot Noir, sourced from the Regan Vineyard. The wine was awarded Gold and 94 points, the highest point score given to a wine from the Santa Cruz Mountains at this competition. The judges noted its complexity, and driving notes of cranberry, forest floor and alluring baking spice.
Also at the Harvest Challenge, the 2019 Merlot from Regan Vineyard scored 93 points and a Gold medal for Perrucci Family Vineyards: the Pinot Noir just really wowed the panel, and as much as they loved the Merlot, there was more love for the Pinot Noir, so it ended up being Best of AVA. Perrucci Family Vineyard also scored Silver medals for their 2018 Sangiovese, 2020 Rosato and 2018 Malbec, all from their estate fruit.
But we’re not done yet. Gold was awarded to the 2019 Ferrari Ranch Estate Chardonnay, which impressed the Harvest Challenge judges with its clean crisp flavors of apple, quince and citrus. The 2018 Ferrari Ranch Estate Pinot Noir scored Silver.
Sandar & Hem scored a Silver for the 2019 Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay, a blend of fruit from Bald Mountain, Bruzzone and Mindego Ridge, that exhibits a nice edge of lime peel and crisp pear.
Fellom Ranch also made a good showing at the Harvest Challenge, with Silver medals for the 2019 Fellom Ranch Monte Bello Ridge Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, and the 2018 Bellicitti Ranch Zinfandel.
Kings Mountain Vineyard in Woodside brought home Silvers for both its 2017 Bacchus and Clone 13 Pinot Noirs, which were noteworthy for their intensity and energy.
A Tribute to Frank Cates: Francisco In Barrels
In other wine news, John Benedetti tells us he’s going to be making a special wine at Lester Family Vineyards to honor the late Frank Cates. This year, the grapes harvested at Lester will be made under the “Mercurio” and “Francisco” labels.
“The Francisco wine is made from all heritage clones of Pinot Noir,” Benedetti explains. “The Francisco bottling will include the rare Vosne-Romanée clone, Mt Eden and 2A, plus a little Pommard.” He says Prudy Foxx grafted the Vosne-Romanée, originally “suitcased” into the US from a Domaine de la Romanee-Conti vineyard, at the Lester site. “2020 was the first harvest of this clone,” says Benedetti. “All the fruit came to my place. Frank was so excited about it! This clone ripens later and more evenly. It seems to have a lot more development, with darker seeds and lignified stems. Apparently, it likes the soils here. The clusters almost look like Pommard: they are like little pine cones, not as big as Dijon but not as small as 2A. Yeah, it’s too early to tell, but I am so excited about this!”
If all goes well, Lester Family Vineyards will likely release the tribute wine in 2022. Benedetti says the 2020s in general were light and vibrant and lively. For the Francisco tribute Pinot Noir, Benedetti used some Billon barrels as well as Ambrosia barrels, which Frank really liked. Cates worked at Lester Family Vineyards for 5 years until his death from heart issues in August of 2021. He had previously worked at Cinnabar, and prior to that, spent many years in wine distribution and hospitality at resort properties in South Lake Tahoe.
About the author
Laura Ness is a longtime wine journalist, columnist and judge who contributes regularly to Edible Monterey Bay, Spirited, WineOh.Tv, Los Gatos Magazine and Wine Industry Network, and a variety of consumer publications. Her passion is telling stories about the intriguing characters who inhabit the fascinating world of wine and food.
