May 5, 2020, San Luis Obispo, CA- The Edna Valley’s Center of Effort (COE), a leading winery specializing in artisan produced estate-grown wines, has promoted Kevin Bargetto from Cellar Master to Associate Winemaker.
“Kevin is a fellow graduate of Cal Poly, who shares our love and respect for this area and the Edna Valley. His focus and attention to detail is an important quality for members of our COE team,” says proprietor Bill Swanson. Nathan Carlson, head winemaker and general manager adds that “winemaking at the highest level is a collaborative process requiring trust and communication. Kevin demonstrates care for all the members of our team, helping to develop their skills and to emphasize their natural strengths.”
Winemaking has always been in Kevin’s blood. His father’s side of the family has owned and operated a winery in Santa Cruz CA that has spanned multiple generations and where Kevin worked starting at a young age.
While pursuing his degree in Wine & Viticulture with a concentration in Enology at Cal Poly, Kevin also had the opportunity to participate in a wine-focused study abroad program based in Adelaide, Australia, where he toured the Barossa Valley, Adelaide Hills and McLaren Vale. There he saw some of the most prestigious wineries located in that region, broadening his awareness and interest in winemaking methods in other parts of the world. Upon his return to San Luis Obispo to complete his college studies, he began working in the cellar at Center of Effort.
After graduation, Kevin returned to Australia for a vintage year abroad in the Margaret River, returning to Center of Effort in 2017 to assume the position of Cellar Master, managing the crew, facility and wine work, before leaving for another vintage stint abroad, this time in Central Otago, New Zealand to focus on Pinot Noir. Upon his return from New Zealand in 2019, Kevin rejoined the team at Center of Effort and was recently named as Associate Winemaker.
Kevin now helps oversee all winemaking activities from picking decisions to final blending and bottling. Alongside head winemaker Nathan Carlson, he ensures that expectations for their carefully crafted wines are met. Kevin is looking toward the future and is excited to launch COE’s new Rhone program with the development of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre plantings, and has also enjoyed redeveloping some older blocks of vines with new and different clones. These efforts give COE the complex and distinguished wines they strive for.
About Center of Effort Winery
Center of Effort (COE) is dedicated to producing exceptional Estate wines and member experiences centered around our sustainable in practice (SIP) certified vineyard property, winery facility, and recently completed showplace hospitality center.
Located four miles from the Pacific Ocean, in San Luis Obispo’s beautiful Edna Valley AVA, COE is a reflection of Bill and Cheryl Swanson’s vision to produce wines of the highest standard and to serve the local community they have called home since their early years. The COE production team, led by Winemaker Nathan Carlson, has a track record of crafting consistently top-rated Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the Estate, and is now advancing the quality envelope with new vineyard plantings, principally of Rhône varieties. COE offers thoughtful wine, culinary and educational experiences from our hospitality center. Unhurried and personal, our private appointments are tailored for each guest.
‘Center of Effort’ is a sailing term, defined as the point on the sail where forces come together and act as a whole. Through skillful and responsible cultivation, artistic winemaking and a passion for excellence, the forces at Center of Effort join to create wines that are classic, elegant, and exude a sense of place and purpose.
