Our Story

Bella Montagna Winery is a family-owned and operated estate winery located in Santa Clara, California, perched on a hillside overlooking the historic Santa Clara Valley and the Santa Cruz Mountains. Our story began in 2001 when a 13-acre former Girl Scouts property caught the attention of Victor Klee and his family. What initially seemed like just another parcel of land quickly revealed itself as something extraordinary—defined by elevation, sweeping views, and serious vineyard potential.

Within 18 months, the property was transformed into a scenic wedding venue, setting the foundation for Victor and Stacie Klee’s long-term vision. Guided by respected industry voices—including Steve Mirassou and Julio Covarrubias of Wente Vineyards—Bella Montagna planted its first head-pruned vines in 2004, establishing what would become a true hillside estate vineyard.

What began as a landscaping project evolved into a deeper pursuit of winemaking excellence. To support early vintages and connect directly with wine lovers, the Klees opened Vino Vino Wine Bar in San Pedro Square Market, followed by a second location in Sunnyvale. As the vineyard expanded, so did the varietal focus, with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc taking root.

As the vines matured, the vineyard consistently delivered high-quality estate fruit, even through challenging vintages. Winemaker Collin Cranor quickly recognized the site’s potential—particularly for Cabernet Sauvignon—comparing the expression of the vineyard favorably to benchmark regions such as Stags Leap and the Rutherford Bench.

In 2023, Bella Montagna joined the Wineries of Santa Clara Valley, marking a new chapter focused on direct-to-consumer experiences and estate-driven wines. That same year, our Cabernet Sauvignon made a strong impression at the prestigious Wine to Vine event, earning praise from Master Sommeliers, including Evan Goldstein.

Now entering our third year welcoming guests to our estate, Bella Montagna Winery has been proudly open to the public for two years, offering intimate tastings at our small, family-owned winery overlooking the Santa Cruz Mountains and our hillside vineyards. During this time, all of our wines have received regular recognition and 90+ point scores from esteemed publications, including Wine Enthusiast Magazine—a clear validation of our vineyard, our winemaking philosophy, and our commitment to quality.

At Bella Montagna Winery, our goal is simple and unwavering: to produce a small collection of world-class wines that showcase the discernible qualities of our site and reflect the rich viticultural history of the region. Every bottle tells the story of this land, the family behind it, and the passion poured into each vintage.

We invite you to visit, taste, and experience Bella Montagna—where hillside vineyards, exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon, and breathtaking views come together in one unforgettable place.

Cheers to shared moments and exceptional wines.