Top Five Wineries of the Silicon Valley

Selecting wineries to go to will often depend on the nature of your visit. Some come to taste and others, to find a place for their next corporate meeting or wedding. Many people think of high profile venues such as Napa or Santa Inez when you mention California wine tasting locations. However, there are many other areas in California that offer much of what you would find in these locations. While Napa tasting fees are usually $20 or so, some of the Santa Clara County Wineries offer free wine tasting.

Many parts of California are famous for Mediterranean like climates, perfect for growing fruit. Santa Clara County itself was once filled with fruit orchards and vineyards, and is now the world-renowned Silicon Valley. Orchards have given way to high tech companies such as Yahoo, EBay, and Google. Many vineyards have long been removed, replaced with housing and shopping as the valley grew.

There are, however, preserved historical lands that are tucked back into the hills of the valley. Often, some of the best wineries are those that are least obvious. Such is the case with the wineries of Santa Clara County. While many of the vineyards are crop producing wineries only, there are delightful treasures that offer full tasting services along with other sought after amenities, including catering, picnic grounds, wedding locations and entertainment venues.

If you are visiting the Silicon Valley on business or pleasure, the following five Santa Clara county wineries each offer something unique in the way of ambiance... and award- winning in their wines.

The Mountain Winery

14831 Pierce Road
Saratoga, CA 95070
408-741-2822

Tasting: Friday-Sunday 12-5 pm (check website- subject to change). Two tastings offered ranging from $7-$10, fee waived with purchase.

Historical Mountain Winery, established in 1901, is the historic Paul Masson property and sits just above the valley floor, surrounded by vineyards and away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Close enough for an evening out and conveniently situated in the hills above Saratoga. The many intimate settings on the property make for a perfect special occasion or quiet picnic. They offer an exciting line up in their yearly entertainment with special events including Jazz nights featuring well-known musicians and singer.

Price Range: $28 to $65 per bottle

Types of Wine

• Bordeaux
• Burgundy

Amenities and Services:

• Resort Like
• Kid Friendly
• Off the Beaten Path
• Food Available
• Gift Shop
• Catering
• Corporate meetings
• Flexible meeting spaces
• Weddings
• Private parties
• Picnic Sites
• Event Space
• Music Venue

Clos LaChance Wines

1 Hummingbird Lane
San Martin, CA 95046
(408) 686-1050

Tasting: Open daily 11 am to 5 pm
Tasting fee $5 or $10 for limited release wines. VIP Tasting available.
10% case discount
Tours: Tours by Appointment
Price Range: $14 to $40 per bottle

Established in 2001, Clos LaChance Winery is a relatively new winery in the area. Tucked back off the Highway is a surprisingly luxurious establishment in this region. One mile off Watsonville Road from Monterey Highway, this modern resort-like winery has ivy-covered walls lead you through a well-tended European-style garden, with fountains and tables inside the walled courtyard for your enjoyment.

Types of wines

• Chardonnay
• Pinot Noir
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Syrah, Nebbiolo
• Grenache
• Merlot
• Zinfandel

Amenities and Services

• Large event room
• Fireplace
• Casual sophistication
• Resort Like
• Kid Friendly
• Family operated
• Expansive lawn area overlooking the large estate vineyard
• Patios, tables and chairs
• Bocce ball court
• Italian Gift Shop
• Tours Available
• Private Tasting
• Food Available
• Picnic Sites
• Event Space
• Catering
• Exclusive Cordevalle Golf Resort adjacent

Fortino Winery

4525 Hecker Pass Road
Gilroy, CA 95020
(408) 842-3305

Tasting: Open daily 10 to 5pm
Tasting is complimentary. VIP Tasting available.
10% case discount

Tours: by Appointment
VIP Barrel Bottling Party
Price Range: $10 to $30 per bottle

Fortino Winery is a well-established fifth generation family winery located off highway 152 in Gilroy. "Reminiscent of his native Cosenza, Italy, fourth-generation Wine master Ernest Fortino fell in love with the Hecker Pass region and settled here over 35 years ago. The fifth generation is now working in the vines, carrying on the tradition of handmade wine making in the Italian style."

"Their Burgundy Reserve is a special blend that has been handed down through generations." They offer an impressive variety of award winning wines. For a special treat make an appointment for Fortino's VIP Barrel Bottling Party, where you bottle and label your own wine. (A barrel fills about 22 cases of wine).

Types of wines

• Cabernet
• Carignane
• Grenache
• Sangiovese
• Chardonnay
• Pinot Grigio
• Riesling
• White Zinfandel
• Merlot
• Pinot Noir
• Zinfandel
• Syrah
• Charbono
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Champagnes
• Apricot wine

Amenities and Services:

• Large tasting room
• Outdoor event center
• The wine bar is some 35 feet long.
• Full gift shop
• Kid Friendly
• Family Run
• Country Charm
• Private labeling
• Tours Available
• Private Tasting
• Picnic Sites
• Event Space
• Catering
• Gift Shop

Solis Winery

3920 Hecker Pass Road
Gilroy, CA 95020
(408) 847-6306

Tasting: Open daily 11 to 5 pm
Tasting is complimentary, $5 for their premium selections
5% discount on 6-11 bottles, 10% on case purchase
Tours: Tours by Appointment
Price Range: $9.50 to $22 per bottle

Solis Winery, established in 1917 along Hecker Pass on highway 152 outside Gilroy, CA. Solis Winery is one of the oldest wineries in the region. Historic Rancho de Solis. Is "part of an original 8,000-acre Mexican land grant and has been growing grapes since the 1920s when the Alfonso Bertero family emigrated here from Italy". Owned since 1980 by the Vanni Family. Solis specializes in Merlot and Sangiovese, selling most of their award winning wines in the local area, including Nob Hill Grocery, and in their tasting room.

Types of Wines

• Chardonnay
• Merlot
• Muscat Canelli
• Zinfandel
• Sangiovese
Cabernet Sauvignon

Amenities and Services:

• Family Run
• Historic Features
• Country Charm
• Casual & Relaxed
• Italian Tours Available
• Picnic Sites
• Gift Shop
• Boutique area
• Wine-tasting bar

Emilio Guglielmo Winery

1480 East Main Avenue
Morgan Hill, CA 95037
(408) 779-2145

Tasting: Open 9-5 weekdays, 10-5 weekends
Tasting fee $5, refundable with purchase. VIP Tasting and tours available.
15% case discount
Tours: Tours by Appointment only
Price Range: $5 to $30 per bottle

The "Guglielmo family has been producing wines in the Santa Clara Valley since 1925, continuing a winemaking craft passed down for generations in Italy. Born in 1883 near Asti in Italy's Piedmonte region, family patriarch Emilio Guglielmo" who came to America, purchased property in the Santa Clara Valley, and is now in its third generation of operation.

Types of wines

• Petite Syrah
• Zinfandel
• Merlot
• Carignane
• Grignolino
• Raspberry wine
• Olallieberry wine

The estate purchases additional grapes for their 28 wine offerings, which include the full range of California varietals, Champagnes, Ports and a Marsala.

Amenities and Services:

• Kid Friendly
• Family operated
• Historic Features
• Country Charm
• Casual & Relaxed
• Gift Shop
• Tours Available
• Private Tasting
• Food Available
• Event Space
• Catering
• Outdoor picnic area with courtyards
• Extensive lawn area
• Dance floor and stage
• Vine-covered wine bar

Sources:

http://www.californiawineryadvisor.com/regions/view/Santa_Clara_Valleyhttp://www.mountainwinery.com/