2023 Soquel Vineyards Pinot Noir, Estate Grown from Santa Cruz Mountains
The Winery
The winery is steeped in history going back to 1919 with Giovanni Bargetto purchasing 52 acres. Giovanni Bargetto moved to Soquel from his winery located in San Francisco. He sold the entire property in 1945. In 1999 they had the vision to purchase 5 ½ acres from the original 52 acres. Today the winery is located at 8063 Glen Haven Road, Soquel, California. Soquel is just south of Santa Cruz and up in the hills above New Brighton State Beach. Giovanni was the grandfather of two of the current owners, Peter Bargetto and his twin brother Paul Bargetto. The third owner is their long-time good friend Jon Morgan.
Photo from Soquel Vineyards website
They opened the winery in the Santa Cruz Mountains in 1987. All three kept their “day jobs” for about 10 years learning to craft their wines. Grapes grown on their property and in the Santa Cruz Mountain AVA includes a variety of Pinot Noir’s (six different labels), Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Nebbiolo. They offer the following varieties from outside the region: Atlas Peak Cabernet Sauvignon, Atlas Peak Merlot, Pyramid (Partner’s Reserve) from Napa Valley, Re Summers Ranch Merlot and Red Blend.
For more information about the winery and other wines they offer see a previous article at: https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2025/05/06/2023-soquel-vineyards-pinot-noir-santa-cruz-mountains/
Background on Pinot Noir in Italy
Picture from Wikipedia
Most wine aficionados associate Pinot Noir with France and California, yet Italy is steeped in Pinot Noir history. The name Pinot Noir translated from the French as “pine and black”. The pine describes the tightly clustered pinecone shaped of grape bunches. The black referencing the color of the grapes. The tightly bunched clusters of Pinot Noir make it very susceptible to both mildew and uneven ripeness compared to other varieties. With a late summer rain, Pinot Noir has been called the “heartbreak grape” due to its shaped clusters. A great quote by noted California winemaker, Andre Tchelistcheff stated aptly “God made Cabernet Sauvignon whereas the devil made Pinot Noir”.
Map of Northern Italy by http://www.mapsofworld.com
While the Pinot Noir grape can be traced back to the 1st Century, it does have a rich and long history in Italy. In Italy in the Alpine northern regions of Alto Adige and Lombardia. Some of the first references to Pinot Noir, called Pinot Nero in Italy, trace back to the 1700’s being cultivated in vineyards. Pinot Nero is popular in the Franciacorta region of Lombardy where it is used to make sparkling wine. While being one of the oldest cultivated grapes with unknown but debated origins, it is speculated that the Romans brought the grape to Burgundy and Italy. Other areas in Italy producing Pinot Noir include Friuli Venezia Giulia and Tuscany.
The Wine – “Wine is bottled Poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
This Pinot Noir comes from their estate vineyard located in Soquel, California in the Santa Cruz Appellation. The wine comes in at 13.4% alcohol and is 100% Pinot Noir grapes. It was aged in 100% French oak barrels ranging from 1 to 3 years of age for 10 months. Only 421 cases were produced and sold for $50/bottle. Wine Enthusiast just recently rated it 95 points and at the California State Fair Wine Competition it was rated 96 points and received 96 points.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
First on the eyes a light violet and purple coloring, presenting a semi-translucent presence, showcasing its “light and airy” substance. On the nose the dominant aroma of freshly picked strawberries waft deep into the senses. Once on the palate, the strawberries dance merrily in the mouth awakening the imbiber that this is no ordinary Pinot Noir, demanding one’s attention. Secondly, flavors of bright red cherries followed closely providing a mouth-filling experience. At the finish tingling tannins along with a tinge of cranberry provide a lasting and slight tartness that is counter-balanced with the fruit. A modicum of clove and peppery spices were also noted.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
This wine made my annual list of Best Wines Tasted in the year! Only 2-3% of the roughly 1800 wines tasted make this list. This wine will make the list for both quality and value.
The Food and Wine Pairing – “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners” – Andre Simon
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Pulled this wine to pair this evening with a Bolognese sauce made with ground beef and pork and served over whole wheat Penne pasta and topped with fresh grated Parmesan cheese. The ingredients for the Bolognese included olive oil, diced thick cut bacon, chopped celery, chopped carrot, minced garlic cloves, chopped fresh thyme, dry red wine, bay leaves, beef broth and canned tomato puree. One of our favorite foods and my wife spent hours preparing and eight hours simmering on the stove top.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Accompanied by a special bruschetta with fresh sourdough bread lightly roasted and topped with semi-dried and delicious red cherry tomatoes in olive oil from Italy that were heavenly! These imported tomatoes were mixed with sunflower oil, salt, sugar, parsley leaves, powered garlic and oregano leaves. Topped with fresh Parmesan cheese.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Also, a fresh garden salad with freshly cooked pepper bacon, Romaine lettuce, pepitas, green onions and cherry tomatoes. Dressing was a Northern Italina dressing.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
In conclusion, just a spectacular meal and an exquisite Pinot Noir wine were enjoyed last evening!
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly