Trade Brochure
Family Farmed · Four Generations · Since 1943
Estate wines from Hopland, Mendocino County
Our Story
Two families. One ranch. Four generations. Since 1943, the Bliss family has farmed the Hopland hillside above the Russian River. Since 1980, the Brutocao family has bottled wine from it. The two became one when Len Brutocao Sr. and Martha Bliss met at UC Berkeley — and the marriage of Italian winemaking heritage and California farming roots has been in every bottle ever since.
Hopland, Mendocino County, California
Bliss and Contento Vineyards — plus the under-contract Feliz — across 400+ acres in the Hopland foothills above the Russian River.
Four generations on the same Mendocino land. The Bliss family began farming it in 1943; the first Brutocao vintage followed in 1980.
The Lion of St. Mark and a Treviso heritage — Italian varietals like Primitivo, Sangiovese, and Quadriga alongside the estate classics.
Cooler, wilder, and less manicured than its southern neighbors — steeper hills, smaller growers, wines with more dirt under their fingernails.
Under-vine cultivators in place of herbicides, diesel pumps converted to electric, grape skins composted back to the vineyards.
About 15,000 cases a year — 30+ wines from 15+ varietals, all from estate-grown fruit.
Estate-grown from Hopland, Mendocino County
Sauvignon Blanc
Bliss Vineyard · Mendocino
Bright citrus and crisp green apple, with a clean, mineral-edged finish. Pour it with oysters or a goat-cheese salad.
Chardonnay
Bliss Vineyard · Mendocino
Ripe pear and a touch of baking spice, rounded and supple. Lovely alongside roast chicken.
Pinot Noir
Bliss Vineyard · Mendocino
Red cherry and gentle spice, silky and bright on its feet. Pairs with grilled salmon or mushroom risotto.
Zinfandel
Bliss Vineyard · Mendocino
Brambly blackberry and cracked pepper, bold and generous. Made for hearth-roasted meats.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Contento Vineyard · Mendocino
Dark blackcurrant and cedar, structured and true to Contento's hilltop blocks. Braised short rib and aged pecorino.
Torrent
Hopland Ranches · Mendocino
A supple blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah — dark plum, cocoa, and a rounded, food-friendly finish.
Quadriga
Hopland Ranches · Mendocino
Our Super Tuscan-style blend, Sangiovese at its heart — ripe cherry, dried herb, and bright acidity. Slow-cooked tomato and pasta.
Primitivo
Contento Vineyard · Mendocino
Certified Italian Primitivo — jammy black fruit, warm baking spice, and a generous finish. Wonderful with wood-fired pizza.
Mendocino is where California's wine country gets quiet. Cooler, wilder, less manicured than its southern neighbors. The hills are steeper. The growers are smaller. The wines have more dirt under their fingernails. We've been farming here since 1943.
Where it all began. Irv Bliss started farming this hillside in the eastern foothills above Hopland — across the Russian River from town — in 1943. The home ranch is the primary source for most of our estate whites and reds.
The higher, hilltop ranch just south of Bliss across Dooley Creek. Heritage Cabernet Sauvignon and Primitivo blocks were planted in 2000, climbing serpentine benches with panoramic views over the valley.
Three miles west in the Feliz Creek drainage. The family no longer owns it but still farms it under contract — which is why it remains the estate source for our Sauvignon Blanc.
All Bliss and Contento fruit is estate-grown; Feliz qualifies as estate while the family continues to farm it.
Estate wines crafted with deep roots in the land and a passion for quality. We'd love to pour them on your list.
Steve Brutocao — President & CEO
Trade, Press & Distribution
brutocaocellars.com
Tasting Room · 13500 S. Hwy 101, Hopland, CA 95449 · Wed–Sun, 10am–5pm