2017 Bargetto Regan Reserve Merlot

About 2017 Bargetto Regan Reserve Merlot:

Only the very best barrels make the Reserve blend.

Tasting Notes:

This Reserve Merlot has a beautiful deep garnet color and opens with intense and complex aromatics. Notes of blackcurrant, plum, black cherry, cranberry reduction, and brown sugar fill your nose and entice your palate. Cabernet Sauvignon from Kennedy Hill Vineyard (on the Los Gatos side of the mountain) has been blended in to add complexity to the aromatic profile, and also adds richness and softness to the palate. Bright red fruit flavors from the Merlot marry beautifully with the darker fruit notes of the Cabernet Sauvignon. The tannins on this powerful Merlot are full but soft. The finish is long, carried though by a lasting acidity one expects from our cool-climate Santa Cruz Mountains.

Barrel Selection:

2017 Bargetto Regan Reserve Merlot was aged for 16 months in 50% new French & American Oak.

Growing Notes:

BARGETTO WINERY’S Regan Estate Vineyard is located on a southwest slope in the Santa Cruz Mountains, overlooking the majestic Monterey Bay. This cool climate vineyard allows the grapes to develop rich and complex flavors over an exceptionally long growing season. These distinct and age–worthy wines from Regan Vineyards reflect this unique location. The winery is committed to sustainable winegrowing practices such as: cover crops, biodiesel, solar electricity and biological pest control.

Harvest Dates: October 5 – October 24, 2017

Winemaking Notes:

75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. 75% Regan Vineyards, 25% Kennedy Hill Vineyard.

About The Winery:

BARGETTO WINERY has been dedicated to producing fine Santa Cruz Mountain wines since 1933. As one of California’s most historic wineries, and the oldest winery of the Santa Cruz Mountains, the third generation of Bargettos continues to pursue winemaking excellence and innovation.

BARGETTO WINERY’S Regan Estate Vineyard is located on a southwest slope in the Santa Cruz Mountains, overlooking the majestic Monterey Bay. This cool climate vineyard allows the grapes to develop rich and complex flavors over an exceptionally long growing season. These distinct and age–worthy wines from Regan Vineyards reflect this unique location. The winery is committed to sustainable winegrowing practices such as: cover crops, biodiesel, solar electricity and biological pest control.

The Bargetto winemaking heritage began with brothers Phillip and John Bargetto who emigrated from Castelnuovo Don Bosco, a small town in the Piedmont region of northern Italy. They brought with them years of winegrowing experience when they established BARGETTO WINERY on the banks of Soquel Creek in California.

Phillip was the first to depart Italy in 1891 at the age of seventeen. In 1909 John joined his brother in San Francisco.

The original Bargetto family winery was located in San Francisco from 1910-1917. The name of this winery was South Montebello Vineyard and Wine Company. With Prohibition on the horizon the winery was closed and the brothers moved to Soquel in 1917.

Phillip and John purchased the present site of BARGETTO WINERY in 1918 and began making wine out of an old barn on the property. During Prohibition (1919-1933), the brothers continued to make wine for family and friends, while they continued to sell produce to local customers. They also grew apples at the family ranch in Soquel. When Prohibition ended in 1933, the brothers devoted more time to the wine business. They began a wine wholesale business, while they continued to sell produce wholesale.

Phillip Bargetto passed away in 1936 and John was left the sole owner of the business throughout the 1940s and 1950s. He continued to produce wine and sell wholesale and retail. He was joined by his sons Ralph and Lawrence during these years.