After migrating to the Central Valley from Southern Switzerland in the early 1900s, Gottardo Barsetti discovered that the fertile soil, hot days, and cool nights of Galt was a great place to establish his dairy and plant his crops; and most importantly, raise a family. Until 1995, the land was home to a cattle and dairy farming operation. After three generations, the Barsetti family continues Gottardo’s dream of owning and farming the land which is now home to Barsetti Vineyards. It wasn’t until 1996 that his granddaughter, Janis Barsetti Gray, discovered that her family’s ranch was also the perfect place to grow premium Zinfandel grapes. Owners Janis and Richard then retired from their corporate jobs and began creating the small family owned vineyard, opening in 2001 and producing their first wines in 2003. “I am proud to have been raised on this piece of property and even prouder to keep this land growing grapes. The vision my father and grandparents had of owning and farming their own land is still paramount to me,” says Janis.
In addition to upholding her family’s intimately operated land, Janis says that the barn on the Barsetti labels are symbolic of their business. “This is the barn where my father milked cows morning and night,” she adds, “I still like to show people the little dent on the roof of the barn that was put there when they were using dynamite to make the basement for the house. A large piece of hardpan flew up and hit the barn roof.”
Janis and Richard describe their wines as distinctive of their personal style, and reflective of their heritage. “We are working on a red blend that will reflect a Tuscan style wine. My great grandfather, Giuseppe Barsetti came from the Lucca area of Italy. We spend time with our winemaker on each wine, tasting until we get the wine to fit our style.” The grapes for all of Barsetti Vineyards wines are grown here in the Lodi Appellation. Their award winning varietals include Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Rose, Verdelho; and a dessert wine named for Janis’s grandmother:“ Dolce Maria.”
To Janis, the location of their new tasting room in Galt has an emotional tie. “If I walk out the front doors and look to the left, there is a rusted water tower where Sego Milk Company once was. My grandfather was the first dairyman in 1917 to ship his milk there. If I look to the right where the old train station used to stand, I remember coming to the station with my father with his truck and picking up cows that arrived via train from the east coast. If I look across the tracks, I see the building that was St Christopher’s Catholic Church where we would go to church. So you see, there is more meaning for me in the new tasting room than just a building; there is more of my history outside the tasting room doors.” The Barsetti tasting room will be opening its door to the public this November and is conveniently located in the heart of Galt’s historic old town, not far from where Gottardo milked his first cow in America.
For more information:
Barsetti Vineyards Tasting Room (Now Open)
400 4th Street Ste. 150
Old Town Galt, (209) 747-3861
www.barsettivineyards.com