Winery of the Month
APRIL 2022
Berryessa Gap Vineyards | Winters, CA
Take a drive down the scenic Highway 128 and it becomes apparent that the land surrounding Winters, California has a history rooted deep in agriculture. Depending on the season, you’ll be greeted with vibrant rows of mustard, sunflowers, blossoming almond trees, and of course, vineyards. While sunflowers and almond orchards have found their more recent claim to fame amongst our local farmers, the grapevine has a history that dates back nearly 200 years—and our friends at Berryessa Gap Vineyards have been along for (almost) the whole ride.
As a result of the Mexican land grant, Winters quickly became an agricultural and livestock commercial center, which inspired a man by the name of John Reid Wolfskill to plant the first vineyards. Wolfskill’s ranch is now used as a UC Davis experiment center, where grapevines are cultivated for research. However, in 1969, Dan Martinez, Sr., the father of Berryessa Gap’s owners, partnered with winemaker and wine historian, Ernest Peninou, to create a grapevine rootstock nursery that was a pivotal player in creating the Napa and Sonoma Valleys that we know today. They called their young business the Yolo Hills Viticultural Society. Now known as Martinez Orchards, the company and legacy helped grow the California wine industry and is the foundation for Berryessa Gap Vineyards. Today, Berryessa Gap’s proximity and connection to UC Davis’ prominent Viticulture and Enology department provide Winters with both historical and current context for producing great wines.
At Berryessa Gap you can enjoy a variety of wines ranging from vibrant white wines such as a Spanish Verdejo or a Sauvignon Blanc down to a deep and sultry Petite Sirah or Cabernet Sauvignon. The winery has five different wine collections—so whether you’re a casual Saturday sipper or a certified Sommelier, Berryessa Gap has a wine that’s right for you. Winemaker, Nicole Salengo, who has been with the winery since 2013, dons her very own label, the Salengo Collection. This small-lot production of wines is made from grapes that she has hand-chosen from Berryessa Gap’s Coble Ranch vineyard in addition to a handful of sourced fruit. You can taste Salengo’s hand-crafted wines at Berryessa Gap’s Downtown Winters tasting room or at their winery tasting room located on Highway 128.
Q&A WITH BERRYESSA GAP VINEYARDS
Q: How long have you been making wine and/or farming in Yolo County?
A: We have been making wine since 2002 in Yolo County, but our family has been farming since the 1950s and has the longest operating grapevine and rootstock nursery in California - established in 1969.
Q: How many acres of vineyards do you farm and do you farm any other crops?
A: We farm over 2,000 acres in Yolo and Solano counties comprised of grapevine rootstock, prunes, and walnuts.
Q: What wine varietals do you specialize in?
A: Our 60-acre estate vineyard’s terroir is excellent for many varietals, but it is ideal for Petite Sirah, Tempranillo, Verdejo, Albariño, and Sauvignon Blanc.
Q: What is a unique characteristic that makes your winery stand out?
A: Berryessa Gap Vineyards not only makes wine from its estate vineyard, but also partners with respected growers along the historic, scenic wine route Highway 128 to produce wines from the world-class varietals grown in the numerous, unique microclimates that exist throughout this route.. Our Highway 128 Wine Collection™ includes a North Coast Brut Rosé, a Sonoma Coast Chardonnay and a Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon with other iconic varietals planned for release in the future.
Q: Any other information you would like to share about your winery?
A: Stay tuned for some interesting and innovative releases in the near future!
Follow along with Berryessa Gap Vineyards at berryessagap.com or @berryessagapvineyards