Vincenzo and Secondo Picchetti settled on the ridge in 1877, buying 160 acres for $1,500; the ranch grew to 500 acres by 1904. They first sold their Zinfandel, Carignane and Petite Sirah grapes to other wineries, then began making wine in 1896 as California Bonded Winery number 148. Peacocks still wander the grounds.
The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District bought the land in 1976. A private lessee runs the winery in the historic buildings, and the 308-acre preserve has 3.7 miles of trails, including the Zinfandel Trail to Stevens Creek County Park.