Picchetti Brothers Winery
Also known as: Picchetti Ranch
Why it's listed
Picchetti Ranch, on Montebello Road southwest of Cupertino, is a complex of seven buildings dating from about 1880 to 1920. Its centerpiece is a red brick winery built into a hillside in 1896, with a rough stone cellar, redwood and oak tanks, and a large carved European cask. Nearby are two houses, a wash house, grape pressing house, blacksmith shop, stable and garage. The brothers Secondo and Vincenso Picchetti were the first settlers on the ridge they named Monte Bello, and they were the first to plant grapes there. Wine was bottled under the Picchetti Bros. label until 1963. The ranch was listed because it is one of few surviving examples of ordinary ranch life at the turn of the century and of the small family wineries common in the Santa Clara Valley. The buildings keep their original design details, and the surrounding orchards, hills and oak woodland remain a protected rural setting managed as public park land.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the ranch is significant for its association with the agricultural heritage of the Santa Clara Valley. It is one of few surviving remnants of ordinary ranch life at the turn of the century and an example of a family-operated vineyard and winery typical of the valley and foothills. The complex remains essentially unchanged in its setting and design.
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 79000545, listed May 10, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | SW of Cupertino at 13100 Montebello Rd., Cupertino |
|---|---|
| County | Santa Clara County |
| Listed | May 10, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79000545 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Areas of significance | Agriculture, Exploration/Settlement |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Owned by a regional open space district as public park land. The winery is described as unaltered and in good condition, and the other buildings are in fair to excellent condition. The house has been remodelled as a ranger residence. |
| Acreage | 1.5 |
| Coordinates | 37.29437, -122.09037 (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 79000545.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7190579
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.