Our property has a long and fascinating history going back to the days of early California statehood. The Vine Hill District was established by Brothers George and John Jarvis, et. al in April, 1867. By the 1870s the Jarvis brothers were making about 14,000 cases of wine a year and nine of the county's 16 vintners were located on Vine Hill.

John Jarvis' Union Vineyard is the ancestor of our modern day Vine Hill Winery. Established in November, 1877 the winery quickly became a leader in wine production and John assumed the posts of President of the Santa Cruz Mountain Wine Company and Supervisor of Santa Cruz County. From 1877 to 1891, the industry flourished and John became a leading citizen in the county.

While John Jarvis was establishing his Union Vineyard, Henry and Nellie Mel founded Villa Fontenay in 1879. Villa Fontenay was originally purchased by George Jarvis in 1863 from A.J. Cloud, but with money being tight, the property was foreclosed upon by the Occidental Bank and resold. In 1887, Henry Mel and John Jarvis, along with Dr. J.A. Stewart became officers in the leading wine company of the Monterey Coast, the Santa Cruz Mountain Wine Company.

Excitement and expectations rose exuberantly in the 1880s, but unfortunately the decline was only a few short years away. In 1892, John died of pneumonia and the phylloxera epidemic wiped out his vineyard in 1898. John's son Henry, and neighbor Frank Locatelli, replanted the vineyard to Zinfandel in 1914 and later, in 1933, the Jarvis Family transferred ownership of 26 acres of the former Union Vineyard to Frank's family. Joe Locatelli, Frank's son, farmed the vineyard until the 1960s when he sold the vineyard to a developer.

In 1968, David Bruce of Pinot Noir fame, purchased the land and replaced the Zinfandel with Pinot Noir. In 1974, David Bruce sold to Ken Burnap. Ken was a young Los Angeles restaurateur with a passion for Pinot Noir. Ken took up the flag and began making great wines. Nearby, the Smothers Brothers purchased the old Villa Fontenay, the original Vine Hill, and began making wine under the name Vine Hill, Inc. With Ken and a few others as their leaders, the Santa Cruz Mountains winemakers established the present day boundaries of the AVA in 1981.

Today at Vine Hill we strive to carry on the traditions of great winemaking. By committing to using premium grapes, allowing each terroir to express its characteristics in the wine, and using sustainable vineyard and winery practices, we bring to you the very best of Vine Hill.