John Bergman, Broker
Phone: 707-887-9822
Email: [email protected]
John is one of northern California’s most respected real estate brokers, specializing in vineyard and winery sales as well as wine industry mergers and acquisitions. To date, John has closed nearly 2.5 Billion (2,500,000,000) Dollars of real estate transactions in his 48 year career.
One of his most recent transactions in the fall of 2014 was the sale of the former Michael Mondavi winery property in Carneros to entrepreneur Kieu Hoang.
John’s History
John began his real estate career in 1967 in Millbrae, California. While working for Trotter Realty as a residential agent, he was selected as “Salesman of the Year” for the State of California in 1969.
In January of 1970, John acquired his Broker’s License and opened Bergman and Associates Realtors® in San Mateo. By 1973 there were 8 Bergman offices with over 300 agents.
John became one of the original directors of Founders Title Company and was part of their Board of Directors for nine years. Founders became the largest title company in Northern California. It was sold to Old Republic and today carries that name.
In the early 70’s, John was designated President of Century 21 Offices in San Mateo County. During his time with the company, he designed a concept called “One call does it all”. This was to be the National Relocation Program which helped Century 21 become the largest real estate company in the world. During his time with Century 21, John traveled across the nation giving seminars and opening other offices.
John developed subdivisions of estate homes in Hillsborough and Redwood Shores from 1974 through 1976. This amounted to hundreds of high-end residential properties.
In late 1975, John restructured Bergman Enterprises from a residential oriented company to seven integrated, yet independent corporations.
During the 70’s, John traveled throughout Europe and the middle East dealing with foreign investors. One transaction consisted of the sale of the Queen’s Guardsman Palace in London, England to a group of Saudi Arabians who turned it into a hotel casino called “The Arab Knights”.
John put together a $60,000,000 investment fund established in Europe and invested in Reno, Nevada. This fund was used to acquire two major hotel casinos, six motels, four large apartment complexes and the Mill International Building which sat across from the yet to be build MGM Grand.
in 1976, John was selected “Exchanger of the Year” in California for putting together a tax deferred exchange involving 21 properties spread over seven states with a total value of over $30,000,000.
In 1980, he attended the Presidential inauguration and private ball for President Bellaunda of Peru. During his time there he put together a development project along the 14-mile coastline known as Costa Verde.
Besides his own projects, John has traveled throughout the United States dealing with large NNN leased National Credit Tenant real estate portfolio owners, marketing their properties.
Contact John at 707-887-9822 or [email protected]/.
As we reached retirement age, we decided to attempt to fulfill our dream of building a home on a small vineyard in Northern California. We were introduced to John Bergman by a friend and after several telephone discussions with him we refined our definition of our desired property. Over the next year and a half, John spent several full days touring the wine country with us showing us properties in an unhurried manner. John was attentive to all our needs and gave us 100% of his attention while he was with us. We finally found the property that fulfilled our criteria and purchased the property in 2006. John was instrumental in the negotiations having very extensive knowledge of vineyard properties. We fulfilled our vision and finished building our dream home in 2010. Through the years John and Wynne have become our friends and we have no hesitation referring him to anyone looking to purchase or sell property in the Wine Country.
Paul and Viviane Furlong, Furlong Estates Vineyard, Geyserville, CA
John Bergman has a comprehensive knowledge of Sonoma and Napa vineyard properties both listed and unlisted. His experience and his ability to work with both buyer and seller in an even handed way made our transaction with John an easy one.
Eric Flanagan, Owner, Flanagan Winery, Santa Rosa, CA
Dear John: Thank for the great and professional experience we enjoyed with you and Bergman Euro-National. While president of Buena Vista Winery we engaged you in the spring of 1996 to help us locate a small acreage ultra-premium property that would support at least a 5 acre vineyard in Napa Valley. You took the time to preview each property we were shown, advised us of the pros and cons and refined the search accordingly. You always provided full attention to detail and focus on our adventure. Once we confirmed the "dream" property you shifted your attention to the purchase detail that has been your professional signature. On our behalf and also in benefit of the seller you helped us negotiate a "deal" that was fair and equitable for both parties and the appropriate financing contacts. Your attention and follow through each step of the purchase was well beyond our expectations. It is without any reservation that I would recommend you and Bergman Euro-National to anyone interested in buying wineries, vineyards, and agricultural property in California and beyond. It is easy to see how you developed and maintained your high image and professional reputation of excellence.
Harry R. Parsley, Proprietor, Parsley Family Estates, Inc. and Silver Stag Winery, Napa, CA
My wife and I first became acquainted with John Bergman in 1998-99 when we began exploring Sonoma County property for a future home. John soon was able to provide a selection of properties near Healdsburg. He presented the properties fairly and without pressure. He was well informed about the land and the potential uses. We focused on one vineyard property and he helped us locate a vineyard owner from the area and together we evaluated the property and its potential. John pointed out that the property had previously been granted a use permit for a winery which had expired without consummation. We purchased the property in 1999 and again John was helpful in all phases of the purchase and financing. Several years later, we actually moved to the property and soon began planning the Amista Vineyards winery. We were pleased when John and a group of his friends we among the very first customers of our small winery. We can recommend John Bergman and his office without reservation for people interested in vineyard and winery properties in Napa and Sonoma Counties.
Michael and Vicky Farrow-Owners, Amista Vineyards, Healdsburg, CA
After 40 years of dreaming to own a vineyard and winery, John Bergman helped make this dream come true for me. John is a great listener and searched for the perfect seller in exactly the right price and location I had hoped to buy. After he found this vineyard and winery, John continued to provide many important ways to make the deal happen, while adding much more value by making sure I had the right inspectors, viticulturist, title company and local attorney. In other words, John was by my side the entire time including the day of the closing. I can highly recommend John Bergman to any buyer or seller. You will be very fortunate to have John on your TEAM.
Ron Rubin, New Owner, River Road Vineyards and Winery, Forestville, CA and President/Minister of Tea for the Republic of Tea, Novato, CA
As a lifetime Banker in the mortgage industry, I have had many opportunities to work with John in his role as a Real Estate Professional and with him as a borrower. John has proven, over our 25 year relationship, to be a man of integrity with the ultimate professional approach. He has successfully represented buyers and sellers in complicated financial endeavors that leave most in awe of his ability to reach the goals of his clients. His lengthy experience in the Winery, Vineyard and High Value Estate Property leaves John in a category all by himself--- “The Best in the West”. No one compares to John Bergman and his firm when it comes to buying or selling Sonoma Wine County properties.
Harry Coffey, Mortgage Broker, Ryan Mortgage Corporation, Santa Rosa, CA
Often in the vineyard and wine industry it`s hard to find that individual who really knows the business inside and out, John Bergman is that man. He delivers what he says and on time. I have had the pleasurable experience working with John on a vineyard purchase a few years back and found his professional and honest way of doing business helped close the deal sooner and with less obstacles so we could occupy the vineyard in a timely manner for the upcoming harvest.
John Balletto, President & Principal, Balletto Vineyards & Winery, Sebastopol, CA
In 2004 our group purchased Hop Kiln Winery, which was being represented for sale by John Bergman and his company, Bergman Euro-National. Dealing with Bergman Euro-National was an excellent business experience. John is an absolute PRO. He’s been selling vineyards, wineries and wine country estates throughout California wine country for a long time… his expertise and honesty is something we found could be counted on regardless of who he represented. From simple to complex issues, John Bergman and his capable team treated our transaction with professionalism and always willing to take the extra strep to get the job and the deal done. When it comes to real estate wine country, I would not look any further than Bergman Euro-National as the broker of choice!
David Di Loreto, CEO, Vero Wine Group LLC and Westside Grapes LLC, Healdsburg, CA
Hi John, You probably don't remember me. I had a 120 acre ranch in the town of Paicines in the 90's. You brought a client (buyer) and we started the process of selling my ranch to this person. We were going to use the custom of purchaser retaining crop sales if closed by June 1. The sale process started in the beginning of March and the written agreement was to close in 45 days. The client wanted the crop (about 400k). The client started delaying and delaying and the close day was not even going to be in July, but the client insisted on the crop (probably using proceeds from my work for his financing). I was upset and ready to go to court if necessary to void the already breached contract. You did one of the most honorable things - to this date - that I have seen in the business world. You stood on principle and told your client that he was wrong and you weren't going to assist in his immoral - if not illegal approach. I have bragged on you many times since. I receive your brochures from time to time and just wanted to say hi. My family settled in Healdsburg, where we have two beautiful small ranches (18.56 and 17.1 acres). One is S. Blanc and the other is Zinfandel. We sell to Dry Creek Vineyards and Raffanelli. My daughter Kelly (26) works for Korbel and my son Andrew (23) works for Gallo. Both received their degrees in related fields. I will continue to work these two small ranches until physically unable (hopefully I can work for another 20 plus years) and my wife Pauline is getting close to retirement from UCSF (LC-MSW). Anyway, hope all is well with you and your family.
Wayne Rogers, Rogers Vineyards, Napa, CA