Malaguerra Winery
Why it's listed
Basalt rubblestone walls from nearby Coyote Creek form the core of this winery complex at the eastern edge of the Santa Clara Valley, north of Morgan Hill. The original two-story winery, about 22 by 24 feet, was built in 1869 for Jose Maria Malaguerra. A larger rubblestone barn, 31 by 80 feet, was attached in 1904 and its roof now covers most of the older roof. Later additions, including a mid-twentieth-century frame addition and a small shed, were slated for removal. The winery is regarded as one of the oldest surviving winery buildings in Santa Clara County, at a time when many contemporary producers have lost their original buildings. Malaguerra's business failed in 1898 amid depression and overplanting. Augustino Guglieri then expanded it, and John Traverso owned it from 1920 until 1950. It later served as a chicken farm before the state acquired it. A local group planned to restore it as a wine museum.
Significance in brief: The 1869 winery is one of the oldest remaining winery buildings in Santa Clara County, where most contemporaries' original buildings have been replaced. The operation is considered typical of the county's viticultural development, including the part played by Italian winemakers. It was built for Jose Maria Malaguerra and later expanded by Augustino Guglieri.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 80000858, listed October 23, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | N. of Morgan Hill on Burnett Ave., Morgan Hill |
|---|---|
| County | Santa Clara County |
| Listed | October 23, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80000858 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899, 1900- (specific dates 1869, 1904) |
| Areas of significance | Industry, Agriculture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition marked good; unoccupied and county-owned at time of nomination, with restoration as a wine museum planned, to return it to its 1904 appearance and remove modern additions. |
| Acreage | 15 |
| Coordinates | 37.16785, -121.65441 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 80000858.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q123270624
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.