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U.S. Grant Winery / Union Vineyard

Infobox

  • Type: Winery (micro-production, private estate)
  • Status: Active
  • Founded: 2004 (property purchased); 2012 (first production)
  • Region / AVA: Santa Cruz Mountains AVA
  • Location: 2300 Jarvis Road, Santa Cruz, CA 95065
  • Founders: Nat Simons & Laura Baxter-Simons
  • Current Owners: Nat Simons & Laura Baxter-Simons
  • Winemakers: Nat Simons & Laura Baxter-Simons (hands-on)
  • Associated vineyards: UNION-VINEYARD (estate, ~6 acres)
  • Vineyard replanting: 2006-2008
  • Production: Very small (few hundred cases)
  • Predecessor entities: JARVIS-BROTHERS-VINEYARD (1850s-1879), VILLA-FONTENAY (1879-1895), Locatelli family (1933/1935-1968), DAVID-BRUCE-WINERY (1968-1974), SANTA-CRUZ-MOUNTAIN-VINEYARD (1974-2003), GATOS-LOCOS-OF-VINE-HILL (transitional, ~2004-2010)
  • Historical significance: Current steward of California's longest continuously-farmed vineyard site (170+ years); revived historic "Union Vineyard" name from 1860s Jarvis era

Summary

U.S. Grant Winery operates the historic UNION-VINEYARD at 2300 Jarvis Road, representing the latest chapter in one of California's longest continuously-farmed vineyard sites (1850s-present). Founded by Nat Simons and Laura Baxter-Simons who purchased the property from SANTA-CRUZ-MOUNTAIN-VINEYARD founder Ken Burnap in 2004, the winery represents a dramatic philosophical shift from commercial production to ultra-small, artisanal, historically-conscious viticulture.

The Simons completely replanted the vineyard (2006-2008) to just ~6 acres of Pinot Noir, removing the 30+ year old Bruce/Burnap plantings. After waiting for vine maturity, they launched production around 2012, producing only a few hundred cases annually in a private, experimental, estate-driven model.

The winery name honors President Ulysses S. Grant and the Civil War era when the JARVIS-BROTHERS-VINEYARD originally planted the site (1862-1863) and called it "Union Vineyard"β€”a patriotic reference to the Union cause. By reviving the Union Vineyard name, the Simons explicitly connect to the site's 170+ year heritage.

Key Transition: While GATOS-LOCOS-OF-VINE-HILL operated briefly as a tenant/transitional winery (~2004-2010) after the Simons purchased the land, U.S. Grant represents the property owners' own production, beginning after vineyard replanting matured.

Chronology

Complete Site Timeline (1850s-Present)

  • 1850s-1863 β€” JOHN-WAITE-JARVIS and GEORGE-JARVIS establish Union Vineyard at Vine Hill
  • 1862-1863 β€” Name reflects Civil War / Union patriotism
  • 1879 β€” HENRY-MEL and NELLIE-MEL purchase land, rename VILLA-FONTENAY
  • 1895 β€” Villa Fontenay foreclosed
  • ~1933-1935 β€” Locatelli family acquires property
  • 1933-1968 β€” Joe Locatelli farms Zinfandel
  • 1968 β€” DAVID-BRUCE purchases from Joe Locatelli
  • 1969-1970 β€” Bruce replants to Pinot Noir
  • 1974 β€” Ken Burnap purchases, founds SANTA-CRUZ-MOUNTAIN-VINEYARD
  • 2003 β€” Burnap decides to retire

U.S. Grant / Union Vineyard Era (2004-Present)

  • 2004 β€” Nat Simons & Laura Baxter-Simons purchase property from Ken Burnap
  • 2004-~2010 β€” GATOS-LOCOS-OF-VINE-HILL operates as transitional tenant winery
  • 2006-2008 β€” Simons replant entire vineyard (~6 acres, Pinot Noir focus)
  • ~2010 β€” Gatos Locos ceases operations
  • ~2012 β€” U.S. Grant begins production after vines mature
  • Present β€” Ultra-small production, private estate model

History

The Site Legacy (1850s-2004)

U.S. Grant Winery occupies what is arguably California's longest continuously-farmed vineyard site. The complete lineage:

1. Union Vineyard / Jarvis Era (1850s-1879):

  • JOHN-WAITE-JARVIS and GEORGE-JARVIS established vineyard in 1850s
  • Named "Union Vineyard" during Civil War era (1862-1863), reflecting Union patriotism
  • By 1863: 300 acres owned; by early 1870s: 33,000 gallons produced annually
  • Vine Hill area became wine district with 9 of county's 16 winemakers

2. Villa Fontenay Era (1879-1895):

3. Locatelli Era (1933/1935-1968):

  • Italian-American family acquired property ~1933-1935
  • Joe Locatelli farmed Zinfandel through 1960s
  • Critical "missing middle" that preserved vineyard through Depression, WWII, post-war era

4. David Bruce Era (1968-1974):

  • DAVID-BRUCE purchased from Joe Locatelli in 1968
  • Replanted old Zinfandel to Pinot Noir (Wente selection) in 1969-1970

5. Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard Era (1974-2003):

  • Ken Burnap purchased in 1974
  • Established reputation for mountain Pinot Noir
  • 30-year tenure proving site continuity and quality

6. Transitional Phase (2003-2010):

Founding of U.S. Grant (2004)

In 2004, Nat Simons and Laura Baxter-Simons purchased the historic Vine Hill property directly from Ken Burnap.

The Vision:

The Simons represented a radical departure from the commercial winery model:

  • Not a continuation of Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard (that brand went to Jeff Emery)
  • Not a large-scale production winery
  • Instead: A private, ultra-small, artisanal, historically-restored vineyard estate

Key Decisions:

  1. Complete replanting (2006-2008) β€” removed 30+ year old Bruce/Burnap Pinot Noir vines
  2. Tiny scale β€” only ~6 acres planted (compared to larger historic footprint)
  3. Waiting period β€” no production until vines matured (~2012)
  4. Revival of historic name β€” "Union Vineyard" honoring 1860s Jarvis-era naming

The Name: U.S. Grant / Union Vineyard

The winery's name carries deep historical meaning:

Union Vineyard (1860s):

  • Original name used by JARVIS-BROTHERS-VINEYARD
  • Planted during Civil War (1862-1863)
  • "Union" reflected patriotic support for Union cause
  • Common practice in Civil War-era California to name properties after Union figures/causes

U.S. Grant (2000s revival):

  • President Ulysses S. Grant was Union Army commanding general and 18th U.S. President
  • Name honors both:
    • The historic "Union Vineyard" identity
    • The Civil War era when site was established
  • Explicitly connects modern winery to 1860s founding moment

Why This Matters:

  • Demonstrates historical consciousness by property owners
  • Preserves place-name heritage across 150+ years
  • Links modern viticulture to American historical context

Replanting and Philosophy (2006-2008)

After purchasing the property in 2004, the Simons made the bold decision to completely replant:

Why Replant?

  • 30+ year old vines from Bruce/Burnap era were aging
  • Opportunity to start fresh with modern viticultural knowledge
  • Vision for a smaller, more focused estate

The Replanting (2006-2008):

  • Scale: Reduced to ~6 acres (much smaller than historic footprint)
  • Varietals: Focus on Pinot Noir (continuing site tradition)
  • Rootstock/clones: (To be documented β€” likely modern Pinot selections)
  • Viticulture: Artisanal, hands-on, experimental approach

The Waiting Period (2008-2012):

  • New vines needed several years to mature
  • No production during this time
  • Represents patience and long-term thinking

Production Era (2012-Present)

Around 2012, the replanted vines matured enough for production. U.S. Grant launched with a radically different model than predecessors:

Production Philosophy:

  • Micro-scale: Few hundred cases annually (vs. thousands for commercial wineries)
  • Estate-only: From their ~6 acre Union Vineyard
  • Artisanal/experimental: Hands-on, small-lot winemaking
  • Private focus: Not a public tasting room destination
  • Quality-obsessed: Small scale allows extreme attention to detail

Contrast to Predecessors:

Era Model Scale Philosophy
Bruce (1968-1974) Boutique winery Medium Quality revival, experimentation
Burnap/SCMV (1974-2003) Estate winery Medium-large Mountain Pinot focus, reputation building
Gatos Locos (2004-2010) Multi-source commercial Small-medium Broader sourcing, commercial
U.S. Grant (2012-present) Micro-estate, private Very small Historical restoration, artisanal

The Transition From Gatos Locos:

Between 2004 and ~2010, GATOS-LOCOS-OF-VINE-HILL operated as a tenant or transitional winery on the property:

  • Simons owned the land (purchased 2004)
  • Gatos Locos (Nick Guerrero/Sal Godinez) operated winery business
  • This was a temporary arrangement during vineyard replanting
  • Gatos Locos ceased operations ~2010
  • U.S. Grant production began ~2012 after vines matured

This explains why both stories exist:

  • U.S. Grant: "We bought from Ken in 2004" βœ“ (land ownership)
  • Gatos Locos records show 2004-2010 operation βœ“ (tenant winery)

Wines / Viticulture

Varietals

  • Pinot Noir β€” Primary focus (estate UNION-VINEYARD)
  • (Other varietals to be documented)

Vineyard

  • UNION-VINEYARD β€” ~6 acres, estate vineyard
  • Planted 2006-2008
  • Pinot Noir focus
  • Artisanal viticulture

Production Style

  • Micro-production: Few hundred cases annually
  • Estate-only: All fruit from Union Vineyard
  • Hands-on: Owners are directly involved in viticulture and winemaking
  • Experimental/artisanal: Small-lot, quality-obsessed approach
  • Private: Not a public tasting room/tourism model

Facilities

  • Address: 2300 Jarvis Road, Santa Cruz, CA 95065
  • Vineyard: ~6 acres estate (Union Vineyard)
  • Winery: On-site (details to be documented)
  • Tasting room: Private estate (not a public tasting destination)
  • Model: Ultra-small, artisanal, historically-focused

Relationships

People

  • Nat Simons β€” Owner, co-founder (2004-present)
  • Laura Baxter-Simons β€” Owner, co-founder (2004-present)
  • Ken Burnap β€” Sold property to Simons in 2004 (SANTA-CRUZ-MOUNTAIN-VINEYARD founder)
  • Jeff Emery β€” Purchased SCMV brand separately; continues as different entity
  • Nick Guerrero / Sal Godinez β€” GATOS-LOCOS-OF-VINE-HILL tenant era (~2004-2010)
  • DAVID-BRUCE β€” Predecessor owner (1968-1974)
  • Joe Locatelli β€” Predecessor owner (1960s-1968)
  • JOHN-WAITE-JARVIS and GEORGE-JARVIS β€” Original "Union Vineyard" founders (1850s-1863)

Vineyards

Related Wineries

Institutions / Associations

  • Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association β€” Regional trade group (likely member)

Historical Significance

1. Current Steward of California's Longest Continuously-Farmed Vineyard Site

U.S. Grant Winery owns and operates what may be California's longest continuously-farmed vineyard site:

170+ Year Timeline:

  • 1850s-1860s: Union Vineyard (Jarvis brothers)
  • 1879-1895: Villa Fontenay (French elite model)
  • 1933-1968: Locatelli (Italian continuity)
  • 1968-1974: David Bruce (quality revival)
  • 1974-2003: Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard (estate model)
  • 2004-present: U.S. Grant / Union Vineyard (micro-artisanal model)

What This Demonstrates:

  • California vineyard site quality persists across centuries
  • Same land can support multiple wine industry transformations
  • Historical consciousness can guide modern viticulture

2. Revival of Historic "Union Vineyard" Name

By explicitly reviving the 1860s "Union Vineyard" name, U.S. Grant:

  • Preserves place-name heritage across 150+ years
  • Honors the Jarvis brothers' Civil War-era founding
  • Demonstrates historical stewardship, not just land ownership
  • Creates living connection between 1860s patriotism and modern artisanal wine

Rarity: Few California wineries explicitly revive 19th-century vineyard names, making this historically significant.

3. The Micro-Estate Model as Alternative to Commercial Scaling

U.S. Grant represents a radically different philosophy than most California wineries:

Conventional Path: Start small β†’ build reputation β†’ scale up β†’ commercial success U.S. Grant Path: Acquire historic site β†’ shrink scale β†’ ultra-quality focus β†’ private model

Why This Matters:

  • Demonstrates alternatives to commercial wine industry model
  • Shows that historical sites can support micro-production
  • Proves patience (waiting 8 years from purchase to production)
  • Quality-over-quantity ethos at extreme scale

4. Complete Replanting as Generational Transition

The 2006-2008 replanting represents the site's latest generational cycle:

Known Planting Generations:

  1. 1850s-1879: Jarvis (varieties unknown)
  2. 1879-1895: Villa Fontenay (likely Bordeaux varieties)
  3. Pre-1968: Locatelli Zinfandel
  4. 1969-1970: David Bruce Pinot Noir (Wente selection)
  5. 2006-2008: U.S. Grant Pinot Noir (modern selections)

Each replanting reflects its era's viticultural knowledge, making Union Vineyard a living timeline of California wine evolution.

5. Clarifies the Property vs. Brand Split Model

The U.S. Grant story illuminates the 2003-2004 transition complexity:

Three Separate Outcomes:

  1. Property: Simons / U.S. Grant (2004-present)
  2. SCMV Brand: Jeff Emery (2003-present, off-site)
  3. Transitional Winery: Gatos Locos (~2004-2010, tenant)

This demonstrates how historic wine properties can fragment into property ownership, brand continuation, and tenant operationsβ€”a case study in wine business succession complexity.

Current Status

  • Operations: Active (micro-production)
  • Production: Few hundred cases annually
  • Model: Private estate, artisanal
  • Vineyard: ~6 acres Union Vineyard (estate)
  • Tasting room: Private (not public tasting destination)
  • Ownership: Nat Simons & Laura Baxter-Simons
  • Distribution: (To be documented β€” likely very limited)

Open Questions / Research Leads

U.S. Grant Era (2004-Present)

  • Nat Simons & Laura Baxter-Simons background: How did they come to purchase the property? Prior wine industry experience?
  • Exact replanting details: Rootstocks, Pinot Noir clones, spacing, trellising
  • First vintage date: Confirm ~2012 production start
  • Current production volume: Exact case production
  • Winemaking approach: Specific techniques, philosophy, aging regimen
  • Distribution model: Mailing list? Wine club? Limited retail?
  • Future succession: Plans for fourth generation or eventual sale?

Gatos Locos Transition (2004-2010)

  • Exact relationship: Was Gatos Locos a tenant, lessee, or partner arrangement?
  • Where was wine made: On-site using old SCMV facilities, or elsewhere?
  • Why did it fail: Economic, quality, market positioning, or planned transitional phase?
  • Final year of operation: Confirm ~2010 end date
  • Brand disposition: Where did Gatos Locos/Cumbre brands go?

Historical Name Revival

  • How did Simons discover "Union Vineyard" name: Research? Deed records? Local history?
  • Any documentation of 1860s "Union Vineyard" usage: Maps, ads, correspondence?
  • Other Civil War-era vineyard names in region: Pattern or unique?

Site Documentation

  • Exact parcel boundaries: How much of original Jarvis/Villa Fontenay footprint?
  • Vineyard map: Where are the 6 acres within the larger historic site?
  • Soils and microclimate: What makes this site work across 170 years?
  • Any old vine material preserved: Or complete replanting?

Sources

Primary / Near-Primary

  • U.S. Grant Winery website β€” https://www.usgrant.com/history/ (ownership timeline)
  • Santa Cruz County Recorder β€” Deed records for 2004 Burnap β†’ Simons transfer
  • Property records, business licenses

Oral History

  • Nat Simons & Laura Baxter-Simons β€” Interview critically needed for founding story, replanting decisions, philosophy, Union Vineyard name revival
  • Ken Burnap β€” Interview for sale decision and transition to Simons
  • Nick Guerrero / Sal Godinez β€” Interview for Gatos Locos transition phase

Secondary

  • NEXT_STEP_4 research document β€” Reconstruction of ownership timeline and Gatos Locos transition
  • Prince of Pinot, Alberti Vineyard, LocalWiki β€” Site history context
  • Santa Cruz County History β€” Jarvis, Villa Fontenay, Locatelli background

Web / Reference

  • U.S. Grant Winery website: https://www.usgrant.com
  • Wine databases (CellarTracker, Wine Searcher) for production notes
  • Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association materials

Confidence Notes

High Confidence

  • 2004 β€” Nat Simons & Laura Baxter-Simons purchased property from Ken Burnap (confirmed by U.S. Grant website)
  • 2006-2008 β€” Vineyard replanted (confirmed)
  • ~6 acres β€” Current vineyard size (confirmed)
  • Micro-production β€” Few hundred cases (confirmed)
  • Union Vineyard name β€” Revived from 1860s Jarvis era (confirmed)
  • 170+ year site continuity β€” Jarvis β†’ Villa Fontenay β†’ Locatelli β†’ Bruce β†’ Burnap β†’ U.S. Grant (confirmed)

Medium Confidence

  • ~2012 β€” First U.S. Grant production (inferred from replanting timeline, needs confirmation)
  • Gatos Locos as tenant ~2004-2010 β€” Explains dual ownership claims (logical reconstruction, needs confirmation)
  • Pinot Noir primary focus β€” Consistent with site history (likely but not fully documented)
  • Private estate model β€” Inferred from micro-production and lack of public tasting room emphasis

Low Confidence / Needs Verification

  • Exact replanting rootstocks and clones β€” Not documented
  • Exact first vintage year β€” Needs confirmation
  • Current production volume β€” "Few hundred cases" is estimate
  • Simons background and motivations β€” Not documented
  • Gatos Locos exact arrangement β€” Tenant? Partner? Needs business records
  • Distribution model β€” Not documented

See Also: