By Sarah Lombardo
The empty hillsides surrounding the Mountain Winery may soon be thriving, wine-producing vineyards once again.
Officials from Villa Montalvo and two nearby wineries, Clos LaChance and Mount Eden Vineyards, confirmed last week that plans are in the works to restore the vineyards around the former Paul Masson Mountain Winery.
"The winery is working on arrangements with two wineries, Clos LaChance and Mount Eden, under which they would replace the vineyards and produce their wines there," said Bruce Labadie, director of performing arts for Villa Montalvo and the Mountain Winery. Labadie said both wineries would have a certain number of acres on which to grow their grapes and that Mount Eden wines would most likely be produced at their own facility, which is virtually next door to the Mountain Winery in Saratoga.
Bob Cullen, who represents Mountain Winery owner Ravi Kumra and Mountain Winery Company Ltd., said they are excited about the talks, but that specific details have yet to be worked out.
"We have not gotten down to the 'who, what and where' yet," Cullen said. But Cullen did say the plan would involve both wineries leasing about 30 acres each from Mountain Winery Company Ltd.Jeffrey Patterson, vineyard manager for Mount Eden, would only confirm that talks are ongoing, but called the possible deal "a reunification of the whole lineage of what Mount Eden was."
Rick Anzalone, vineyard manager for Clos LaChance, said the overall development plan for the restoration of the vineyards includes bringing back some of the original vines that Paul Masson first brought to the United States from France in about 1896. The deal, Anzalone said, would be an historic event for the entire Santa Cruz Mountains region.
"[The Mountain Winery] has been devoid of vineyards and wine-making for far too long," Anzalone said. "It's about time to return this place to its former greatness."
Wine production on the site ended in 1950, but the grapes were still used to make wine elsewhere. According to Anzalone, the vines were all ripped out in the mid-1980s, when the winery was under the management of Seagram and the Mediterranean fruit fly epidemic hit the Santa Clara Valley the hardest.
"They had no respect for history," said Anzalone of Seagram's action.
Cullen said all parties involved will probably sit down and start working out details in as soon as 30 days, and planting could begin later this year. But, he stressed, it takes several years before vines mature and bear fruit. Also, Cullen said, the facilities are not equipped for wine production at the Mountain Winery right now.
Santa Clara County associate planner Juanell Waldo said actual winemaking onsite may take longer to come about; Waldo said a use permit would be required for commercial winemaking.
Brenda Murphy, president of Clos LaChance, said they do not have a specific timeline right now, but everyone involved wants to see the vineyards restored.
This article appeared in the Saratoga News, January 29, 1997.
©1997 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.