GATOS LOCOS OF VINE HILL INCORRECT - scmwine/Wineries GitHub Wiki

Gatos Locos of Vine Hill / Vine Hill Winery

Infobox

  • Type: Winery
  • Status: Active
  • Founded: 2003 (property acquired); 2004 (first vintage)
  • Region / AVA: Santa Cruz Mountains AVA
  • Location: 2300 Jarvis Road, Santa Cruz, CA 95065
  • Founders: Nick Guerrero (property owner); Sal Godinez (winemaker)
  • Current Owners: Nick Guerrero
  • Winemakers: Sal Godinez (founding winemaker, 2004-present)
  • Associated vineyards: Vine Hill Vineyard (estate, replanted), Clements Ridge Vineyard
  • Brands: Gatos Locos (primary), Cumbre (premium tier), Vine Hill Winery
  • Predecessor entities: JARVIS-BROTHERS-VINEYARD (1850s-1879), VILLA-FONTENAY (1879-1895), Pesenti-Locatelli family (1933/1935-1968), DAVID-BRUCE-WINERY (1968-1974), SANTA-CRUZ-MOUNTAIN-VINEYARD (1974-2003)
  • Historical significance: Property owner of 170+ year Vine Hill site; demonstrates continuity of California's longest-operating vineyard locations

Summary

Gatos Locos of Vine Hill (also known as Vine Hill Winery) is an active winery established in 2003-2004 when property owner Nick Guerrero purchased the historic Vine Hill property on Jarvis Road from retiring SANTA-CRUZ-MOUNTAIN-VINEYARD founder Ken Burnap. The property represents one of California's longest continuously-operated vineyard sites (1850s-present), tracing through the JARVIS-BROTHERS-VINEYARD (1850s), VILLA-FONTENAY (1879-1895), Pesenti-Locatelli family (1933/1935-1968), DAVID-BRUCE (1968-1974), and Ken Burnap (1974-2003).

Winemaker Sal Godinez produces wines under the Gatos Locos ("Crazy Cats") label, primarily Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Santa Cruz Mountains and other California sources. The estate 30+ year old Pinot Noir vines from the Burnap/Bruce era have been replanted. A premium tier brand called Cumbre (Spanish for "summit") focuses exclusively on Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir.

While SANTA-CRUZ-MOUNTAIN-VINEYARD continues as a separate brand under Jeff Emery (who purchased the name, inventory, and equipment), Gatos Locos owns the physical property at the historic Vine Hill site.

Chronology

Complete Site Timeline (1850s-Present)

  • 1850s-1863 β€” JOHN-WAITE-JARVIS and GEORGE-JARVIS establish Vine Hill vineyard
  • 1879 β€” HENRY-MEL and NELLIE-MEL purchase land, establish VILLA-FONTENAY
  • 1895 β€” Villa Fontenay foreclosed during 1890s wine depression
  • 1895-1933 β€” Gap period (ownership uncertain; possibly resort/estate use)
  • ~1933-1935 β€” Pesenti-Locatelli family acquires property
  • 1933-1968 β€” Pesenti-Locatelli era: Joe Locatelli farms Zinfandel vineyard
  • Early 1960s β€” DAVID-BRUCE begins buying Zinfandel from Joe Locatelli
  • 1968 β€” David Bruce purchases vineyard from Joe Locatelli
  • 1969-1970 β€” Bruce replants old Zinfandel to Pinot Noir (Wente selection)
  • 1974 β€” Ken Burnap purchases property, founds SANTA-CRUZ-MOUNTAIN-VINEYARD
  • 2003 β€” Ken Burnap retires; splits operations:
    • Jeff Emery purchases name, inventory, equipment (SANTA-CRUZ-MOUNTAIN-VINEYARD brand)
    • Nick Guerrero purchases vineyard property (becomes Gatos Locos)
  • 2004 β€” Gatos Locos first vintage under Sal Godinez
  • 2003-present β€” 30+ year old Pinot Noir vines replanted
  • Present β€” Active winery producing Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah

History

The Pesenti-Locatelli Bridge (1933-1968): The Missing Middle

One of the most significant recent historical discoveries about Vine Hill is the Pesenti-Locatelli family ownership (1933/1935-1968), which fills the critical "missing middle" between the VILLA-FONTENAY collapse (1895) and the modern DAVID-BRUCE revival (1968).

The Pesenti-Locatelli Connection:

The Pesenti-Locatelli family acquired the Vine Hill property around 1933-1935 and operated it as a working vineyard until selling to David Bruce in 1968. This represents a 35-year continuity layer that preserved the vineyard through:

  • The Great Depression (1929-1939)
  • World War II (1941-1945)
  • Post-war agricultural transitions (1945-1960s)

Key Figures:

  • Frank Locatelli β€” early generation, appears in 1933 transfer records
  • Joe Locatelli β€” farming the vineyard by early 1960s; sold to David Bruce in 1968
  • Pesenti-Locatelli family β€” likely represents a marriage alliance between Locatelli and Pesenti families, common in Italian-American viticulture

The Italian Continuity Pattern:

The Pesenti-Locatelli era fits the classic Italian-American survival model in California wine:

  • Immigrant families acquiring vineyard land in the 1920s-1930s
  • Surviving Prohibition through grape sales, home winemaking, sacramental channels
  • Maintaining production vineyards (not showplace estates)
  • Focus on Zinfandel (the dominant Italian-American variety)
  • Passing viable land to the next generation of winemakers

Broader Locatelli Family Context:

The Locatelli family were established Santa Cruz County vineyard operators:

  • 1898: Locatelli family purchased vineyard and Eagle Rock Winery in Ben Lomond area
  • Prohibition era: Dante Locatelli continued clandestine operations, especially brandy production
  • This demonstrates the Locatelli family's deep roots in Santa Cruz viticulture before acquiring Vine Hill

Why This Matters:

The Pesenti-Locatelli discovery means Vine Hill is a continuity site, not a revival site:

  • The vineyard was "continuously farmed before and after Prohibition" (source: Prince of Pinot)
  • Zinfandel was still planted when Bruce acquired the property (not an abandoned site)
  • The site never fully diedβ€”it transitioned from French elite model (Mel/Villa Fontenay) β†’ Italian working vineyard (Locatelli) β†’ boutique quality revival (Bruce)

The Joe Locatelli Bridge to David Bruce:

The most important individual in this transition was Joe Locatelli:

  • Farming Zinfandel at Vine Hill in early 1960s
  • David Bruce began buying Zinfandel from Joe Locatelli before purchasing the land
  • This fruit relationship led to Bruce's 1968 purchase
  • Bruce removed the old Zinfandel and replanted to Pinot Noir (Wente selection)

Current Research Gaps:

  • Exact relationship between Frank Locatelli and Joe Locatelli (father-son? uncle-nephew?)
  • Whether "Pesenti-Locatelli" reflects marriage alliance, business partnership, or literal family name
  • Ownership details in the 1895-1933 gap (foreclosure β†’ Locatelli acquisition)
  • Production details: did they sell grapes, make wine, or both?
  • Exact parcels: did they own all of Villa Fontenay footprint or subdivided portion?

Research leads:

  • Santa Cruz County Recorder deed chain (will show exact transfer dates and names)
  • 1930/1940 census records for Locatelli family occupation listings
  • California Digital Newspaper Collection for "Joe Locatelli," "Frank Locatelli," "Pesenti Locatelli," "Vine Hill"
  • Late Harvest book for Italian family references
  • Family records, probate, church/parish records

Founding of Gatos Locos (2003-2004)

In 2003, Ken Burnap decided to retire from SANTA-CRUZ-MOUNTAIN-VINEYARD after nearly 30 years. The transition created an unusual split:

The Split:

  1. Jeff Emery (winemaker since 1981) purchased:

    • The Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard name/brand
    • Inventory and equipment
    • Continues SCMV as separate brand

  2. Nick Guerrero (property owner) purchased:

    • The physical vineyard property at 2300 Jarvis Road
    • Historic Vine Hill site
    • Winery facilities

Why the split occurred:

  • Jeff Emery could not afford both the business and the valuable vineyard property
  • Nick Guerrero wanted to own the historic vineyard site
  • Both parties wanted to continue wine production

Gatos Locos Launch (2004):

Nick Guerrero partnered with winemaker Sal Godinez to create a new brand:

  • Gatos Locos ("Crazy Cats") β€” primary label
  • First vintage: 2004
  • Focus: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah from various California sources

Vineyard Replanting and Current Era

Estate Vineyard Status:

The 30+ year old Pinot Noir vines planted by David Bruce (1969-1970) and farmed by Ken Burnap (1974-2003) have been replanted since Guerrero's 2003 acquisition. This represents the site's latest generational transition in a 170+ year timeline.

Current Production Model:

Unlike the estate-focused SANTA-CRUZ-MOUNTAIN-VINEYARD model, Gatos Locos operates as a multi-source winery:

  • Estate Vine Hill site (replanted)
  • Clements Ridge Vineyard (important source for Chardonnay)
  • Other Santa Cruz Mountains sources
  • Purchased fruit from Carneros, Lodi, other regions

Brand Structure:

  1. Gatos Locos β€” primary brand, broader sourcing
  2. Cumbre β€” premium tier, exclusively Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir (Spanish for "summit," reflecting mountain focus)
  3. Vine Hill Winery β€” property/physical winery name

Sal Godinez:

Winemaker Sal Godinez brings:

  • Professional winemaking background (details to be researched)
  • Focus on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
  • Multi-region sourcing philosophy

Wines / Viticulture

Varietals

Primary Focus:

  • Pinot Noir β€” Santa Cruz Mountains estate, Carneros
  • Chardonnay β€” Clements Ridge Vineyard, Lodi, Santa Cruz Mountains

Secondary:

  • Syrah β€” Lodi

Vineyard Sources

Estate:

  • Vine Hill Vineyard (Jarvis Road, Santa Cruz) β€” replanted after 2003

Key Purchased Fruit:

  • Clements Ridge Vineyard β€” important Chardonnay source
  • Carneros β€” Pinot Noir
  • Lodi β€” Chardonnay, Syrah
  • Other Santa Cruz Mountains sources

Production Style

Observed from CellarTracker data (~2006-2009 vintages):

  • Focus on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay (California's classic cool-climate varieties)
  • Multi-vineyard approach (unlike predecessor's estate focus)
  • Both Gatos Locos (primary) and Cumbre (premium) tiers
  • Vineyard-designated bottlings (e.g., "Clements Ridge Vineyard," "Cumbre of Vine Hill")

Notable wines documented:

  • 2009 Vine Hill Winery Pinot Noir
  • 2008-2009 Vine Hill Winery Chardonnay (multiple vineyard designations)
  • 2008 Vine Hill Winery Chardonnay Cumbre of Vine Hill
  • 2006-2009 Vine Hill Winery Chardonnay Gatos Locos of Vine Hill Clements Ridge Vineyard
  • Gatos Locos Pinot Noir Santa Cruz Mountains
  • Gatos Locos Pinot Noir Carneros
  • Gatos Locos Syrah Lodi
  • Gatos Locos Chardonnay Lodi

Facilities

  • Address: 2300 Jarvis Road, Santa Cruz, CA 95065
  • Phone: (831) 427-0436
  • Coordinates: 37Β°4'19"N, 121Β°57'41"W
  • Tasting room: (Status to be verified)
  • Winery facilities: On historic Vine Hill property

Relationships

People

Vineyards

  • Vine Hill Vineyard β€” Estate vineyard, 170+ year site
  • Clements Ridge Vineyard β€” Key Chardonnay source
  • Carneros vineyards β€” Pinot Noir source
  • Lodi vineyards β€” Chardonnay, Syrah sources

Related Wineries

  • SANTA-CRUZ-MOUNTAIN-VINEYARD β€” Predecessor entity (same property, 1974-2003); continues as separate brand under Jeff Emery
  • DAVID-BRUCE-WINERY β€” Predecessor owner of site (1968-1974)
  • VILLA-FONTENAY β€” Historic winery on same site (1879-1895)
  • JARVIS-BROTHERS-VINEYARD β€” Original vineyard establishment (1850s)
  • Eagle Rock Winery β€” Locatelli family winery in Ben Lomond area (context for Vine Hill ownership)

Institutions / Associations

  • Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association β€” Regional trade group

Historical Significance

1. Property Owner of 170+ Year Vineyard Site

Gatos Locos of Vine Hill owns the physical property of one of California's longest continuously-operated vineyard sites:

170+ Year Timeline:

This site demonstrates that California vineyard site quality can be recognized across centuries and survive multiple wine industry transformations.

2. Documents the Pesenti-Locatelli "Missing Middle"

The research connecting Joe Locatelli β†’ David Bruce provides critical evidence for the 1933-1968 continuity layer:

  • Vine Hill was not abandoned between Villa Fontenay (1895) and David Bruce (1968)
  • The site was actively farmed by Italian-American families
  • This is the same Italian survival pattern seen at:
    • MARIO-GEMELLO / GEMELLO-WINERY (Santa Clara Valley)
    • Eagle Rock Winery (Locatelli family, Ben Lomond)
    • Other Italian family vineyards that survived Prohibition

Gatos Locos now owns the physical site where this continuity played out.

3. The Property/Brand Split Model

The 2003 split between property ownership (Gatos Locos) and brand continuation (SANTA-CRUZ-MOUNTAIN-VINEYARD) represents an unusual business structure in California wine:

Why it's significant:

  • Demonstrates how real estate value can exceed brand value in high-land-value regions
  • Shows alternative succession models when single buyers cannot afford both property and business
  • Creates a case study in how historic sites can continue under multiple successor entities

Outcome:

  • Vine Hill site continues under Gatos Locos
  • Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard brand continues under Jeff Emery
  • Both entities maintain connection to the site's legacy

4. Multi-Generational Replanting Cycles

The Pinot Noir replanting after 2003 represents the site's latest generational cycle:

Known planting generations:

  1. 1850s-1879: Jarvis brothers (varieties unknown, likely mixed red/white)
  2. 1879-1895: Villa Fontenay (likely Bordeaux varieties, French model)
  3. Pre-1968: Pesenti-Locatelli Zinfandel (Italian model)
  4. 1969-1970: David Bruce Pinot Noir (Wente selection)
  5. 2003-present: Gatos Locos replanting (varieties/rootstock to be documented)

Each replanting reflects the wine market and viticultural knowledge of its era, making Vine Hill a living timeline of California wine evolution.

Current Status

  • Operations: Active
  • Tasting Room: (Status/hours to be verified)
  • Production: Multi-source model (estate Vine Hill + purchased fruit)
  • Brands: Gatos Locos (primary), Cumbre (premium SCM Pinot Noir)
  • Ownership: Nick Guerrero (property owner), Sal Godinez (winemaker)
  • Distribution: (To be documented)

Open Questions / Research Leads

Pesenti-Locatelli Era (1933-1968)

  • Exact relationship between Frank Locatelli and Joe Locatelli
  • Full family tree connecting Pesenti and Locatelli lines
  • Production model: grape sales, winemaking, or both?
  • Exact parcel boundaries: full Villa Fontenay footprint or subdivided?
  • 1895-1933 ownership gap: who owned between foreclosure and Locatelli acquisition?
  • Any surviving family records, photographs, or oral history

Gap Period (1895-1933)

  • Who owned the property after 1895 foreclosure?
  • Was "Villa Fontenay resort" a real entity or just place-name persistence?
  • Tax delinquency sales or bank liquidation records
  • Subdivision patterns and intermediate owners

Gatos Locos Era (2003-Present)

  • Nick Guerrero background: how did he come to purchase the property?
  • Sal Godinez background and winemaking philosophy
  • Exact replanting timeline and rootstock/clone selections
  • Current production volumes
  • Tasting room status and visitor experience
  • Distribution and market positioning
  • Relationship with SANTA-CRUZ-MOUNTAIN-VINEYARD brand (collaborative? competitive?)
  • Future succession plans

Date Discrepancies

  • 1964 vs 1968 for David Bruce acquisition: which is correct?
    • Current sources support 1968 as purchase date from Joe Locatelli
    • 1964 may refer to Bruce's original winery bonding, not Vine Hill purchase
    • Needs deed research to confirm

Sources

Primary / Near-Primary

  • Santa Cruz County Recorder β€” Deed chain for 2300 Jarvis Road parcel (HIGH PRIORITY for Pesenti-Locatelli confirmation)
  • CellarTracker wine database β€” Documented vintages and vineyard designations (2006-2009)
  • Property records, business licenses (to be accessed)

Oral History

  • Nick Guerrero β€” Interview needed for founding story, business model, site stewardship philosophy
  • Sal Godinez β€” Interview needed for winemaking approach, sourcing decisions, brand development
  • Joe Locatelli or family members β€” Oral history needed for 1933-1968 era (if living relatives accessible)
  • Ken Burnap β€” Interview for transition and property sale decision

Secondary

  • Prince of Pinot β€” Source for Pesenti-Locatelli family ownership, Joe Locatelli β†’ David Bruce transition
  • Alberti Vineyard history β€” Source for 1935 Pesenti-Locatelli acquisition date
  • LocalWiki Santa Cruz β€” Source for 1933 Frank Locatelli transfer
  • Santa Cruz County History Wiki β€” Dante Locatelli / Eagle Rock Winery context
  • Late Harvest (1983, Michael R. Holland) β€” Potential Italian family references
  • Wines and Winemakers of the Santa Cruz Mountains (Charles L. Sullivan) β€” Potential site history

Web / Reference

  • CellarTracker: wine listings and community notes
  • Appellation America wine review (Sal Godinez interview, 2000s)
  • Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association materials

Confidence Notes

High Confidence

  • 2003 β€” Nick Guerrero purchased Vine Hill property from Ken Burnap (confirmed by multiple sources)
  • 2004 β€” Gatos Locos first vintage
  • Sal Godinez β€” Founding winemaker
  • Property split β€” Guerrero owns property, Jeff Emery owns SCMV brand (confirmed)
  • Brands: Gatos Locos, Cumbre, Vine Hill Winery (confirmed)
  • Wines produced: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah from multiple sources (confirmed by CellarTracker)

Medium Confidence

  • ~1933-1935 β€” Pesenti-Locatelli family acquisition (multiple sources, needs deed confirmation)
  • 1968 β€” David Bruce purchased from Joe Locatelli (Prince of Pinot source, needs deed confirmation)
  • Joe Locatelli β€” Farming Zinfandel in early 1960s, selling to Bruce (credible source, needs verification)
  • Frank Locatelli β€” 1933 transfer mention (LocalWiki, needs primary source)
  • 30+ year old Pinot vines replanted β€” stated but exact timeline unclear

Low Confidence / Needs Verification

  • 1895-1933 ownership β€” Gap period still largely undocumented
  • Exact Pesenti-Locatelli family relationships β€” Marriage? Partnership? Kinship structure unclear
  • Current production volumes β€” Not documented
  • Current tasting room status β€” Not verified
  • Nick Guerrero background β€” Not documented
  • Sal Godinez full biography β€” Limited information available

See Also: