Named “Pietra Santa” (sacred stone) to honor its granite and limestone soils, Pietra Santa Winery is a family-run estate that produces artisanal wines and olive oils. The winery is located in the foothills of the Gabilan Mountain Range in the magnificent Cienega Valley—just 25 miles inland from Monterey Bay, California.
For wine tourists, Cienega Valley is truly a road less traveled. After an easy drive from Monterey Bay or Silicon Valley, they are delighted by its beauty and that of the stunning winery surrounded by vineyards. Currently, 120 acres are planted to Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Merlot, Sangiovese, Zinfandel, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The estate’s oldest vines are 107-year-old Zinfandel.
Pietra Santa is owned by Cort Blackburn, who has been farming in the surrounding area for almost 30 years. The winemaker is Alessio Carli who firmly believes that wine is only as good as the grapes it comes from. A native of Italy, he has worked for Pietra Santa since 1998 when he helped with the design and construction of the winery. Alessio is delighted with the terroir and works closely with Cort who has been farming since he was quite young and makes quality the top priority. Besides wonderful estate wines, Alessio also makes Pietra Santa’s olive oils. He produces organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil exclusively from Pietra Santa’s 25-acre olive grove, planted to five varieties of olives imported from Tuscany including Leccino, Coratina, Frantoio, Itrana, and Pendolino.
To enjoy this lovely destination to its fullest, many visitors bring lunch and relax in the picnic area in front of the winery. Beyond the view, there’s more to admire including the Dickinson house, a beautiful prairie-style house designed by Burley Griffin Jr., a protégé of Frank Lloyd Wright. Tours of the house, vineyards, winery, and oil pressing room can be arranged for those who call in advance.
WHAT TO BUY
’11 SC Amore Pinot Grigio – $24
White peaches, mineral note, hint of lemon, grapefruit
’11 SC Pinot Noir – $35
Wild strawberries, raspberries, earth, pepper
’09 Estate Sangiovese – $18
Cranberries, Montgomery cherries
’07 SC Cabernet Sauvignon – $50
Subtle plum, pomegranate, ripe black cherries, chocolate
CONTACT
831-636-1991
info@pietrasantawinery.com
pietrasantawinery.com
TASTING
Tasting Room Open Thu–Sun 11–5
10034 Cienega Rd.
Hollister, CA 95023
SPECIAL NOTES
Home tours of the historical Dickinson House the first weekend of the month, olive oil tasting.
Touring & Tasting is a media company that produces a wine and travel magazine and is also partner in the Hitched Wine Club.
Steve Cooper is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of Hitched. You can follow him on Twitter at @hitchedmedia.
