Cortada Alta
Vineyard

About Us

Nestled high above the abundant Salinas Valley patchwork floor midway between Gonzales and Soledad, lies the highest elevation vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands! John and Lynn Petersen developed the Cortada Alta Vineyard between 2014 and 2017 with great vision. They created this STATE OF THE ART little piece of HEAVEN that boasts some of the highest quality Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah and Viognier vines around. John and Lynn named the vineyard Cortada Alta, which translates from Spanish to High Notch — and High Notch this property is.

The Bianchi family honorably reclaimed this land in 2022. Their Spanish Soberanes ancestors have been stewards of much of the Santa Lucia Mountain Range and Salinas Valley fertile soils along the Salinas River, including present day King CIty and San Ardo, as well as other Monterey County areas, since 1769 when José María Soberanes arrived as part of the Portola Expedition. The Bianchi Family’s Great-Great Grandfather Feliciano Soberanes’ (José’s son) bust still sits on display in the Soledad Mission today.

Third and fourth generation farmers, father and son; Matt and Zach Panziera, grandson and great-grandson of Bob Oliver Bianchi, are now managing and farming the vineyard. Our family is so grateful to be able to help further John and Lynn’s vision, as well as passionately produce quality grapes off of the historical land from our family roots.

Cortada Alta Vineyard Lodging: STAY@CortadaAltaVineyard.com
Cortada Alta Vineyard Grape Sales: CortadaAltaVineyard@gmail.com