The Santa Clara Valley and the Santa Cruz Mountains are two of the oldest, continuously producing wine regions in California. Many of the wineries offer tours, picnic grounds, tastings and on-site purchases.
Tranquil Beauty in America's Premier Mountain Appellation
21850 Bear Creek Rd, Los Gatos CA; Tel. 408.354.1111
Byington Vineyard & Winery, nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountain, with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, provides the perfect setting for sipping wines or celebrating special occasions. The manicured grounds of the Byington estate combined with its Italianate stone winery chateau create a striking backdrop for any occasion. The Byingtons specialize in chardonnay and red Bordeaux-style wines. Open daily, 11-5.
A Big Red Schoolhouse filled with Textbook Wines
24060 Summit Road, Los Gatos CA; Tel. 408.353.6290
Featuring estate vines with spectacular views of the canyons and ridges of the Santa Cruz Mountains, the Burrell School Winery is open for tasting on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Ahlgren Vineyard
20320 Hwy 9, Boulder Creek CA; Tel. 831.338.6071
Bargetto Winery
3535 N. Main St, Soquel CA; Tel. 831.475.2258
The Bargettos are famed for red wines, classic coastal chardonnays and their popular line of Chaucer fruit wines.
Bonnie Doon Vineyard
10 Pine Flat Road, Santa Cruz CA; Tel. 831.425.4518
Casa De Fruta
6680 Pacheco Pass, Hollister CA; Tel. 831.637.7775
The Zanger brothers, the sons of an Italian immigrant family, run a large roadside travelers' stop that includes a fruit stand, a playground, a restaurant, an RV park and a vineyard. The Casa de Fruta winery produces traditional grape varietal wines and fruit wines.
Clos LaChance Winery
1 Hummingbird Ln, San Martin; 408.686.1050
Clos LaChance, which specializes in chardonnay, pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon, merlot and zinfandel, began as a mere backyard operation in 1987. The winery's name is taken from both "clos," the French term for a small, fenced-in area, and co-owner Brenda Murphy's maiden name. Open 11-4 weekdays; 11-5 weekends.
Conrotto Winery
1690 Hecker Pass Hwy, Gilroy; 408.842.3053
Cooper-Garrod Vineyards
22600 Mount Eden Rd. Saratoga, CA 95070; Tel. 408.867.7116; Monday-Friday, 12-5, Weekends, 11-5
The family-owned Cooper-Garrod specializes in chardonnay, cabernet franc and cabernet sauvignon varietals. The 21-acre estate vineyard is in the Saratoga hills, and the Cooper-Garrod tasting room is open Monday-Friday, 12-5, Weekends, 11-5, and by appointment.
David Bruce Winery
21439 Bear Creek Road, Los Gatos CA; Tel. 800.397.9972
Fellom Ranch Vineyards
17075 Montebellord, Cupertino CA; Tel. 408.779.2145
Fortino Winery
4525 Hecker Pass Hwy, Gilroy CA; Tel. 408.842.3305
Emilio Guglielmo Winery
1480 E. Main St, Morgan Hill CA; Tel. 408.779.2145
Hecker Pass Winery
4605 Hecker Pass Hwy, Gilroy CA; Tel. 408.842.8755
Kirigin Cellars
11550 Watsonville Rd, Gilroy CA; Tel. 408.847.8827
Thomas Kruse Winery
3200 Dryden Ave, Gilroy CA
J. Lohr Winery
1000 Lenzen Ave, San Jose CA; Tel. 408.288.5057
Mirassou Vineyard
3000 Aborn Rd, San Jose CA; Tel. 408.274.4000
Pedrizzetti Winery
1645 San Pedro Winery, Morgan Hill CA; Tel. 408.779.7389
Picchetti Winery
Montebello Rd, Cupertino CA; Tel. 408.741.1310
Rapazzini Winery
4350 S. Monterey Hwy, Gilroy CA; Tel. 408.842.5649
Savannah-Chanelle Vineyards
23600 Congress Springs Rd, Saratoga CA; Tel. 408.741.2932
Savannah-Chanelle Vineyards has a picnic area in old-growth redwood grove with scenic valley and mountain views. Open daily, 11-5.
Sarah's Vineyard
Hecker Pass Hwy, Gilroy CA; Tel. 408.842.4278
Solis Winery
3920 Hecker Pass Hwy, Gilroy CA; Tel. 888.411.6457
Sycamore Creek
12775 Uvas Rd, Morgan Hill CA; Tel. 408.779.4738
Testarossa Vineyards
300-A College Ave, Los Gatos CA; Tel. 408.354.6150
Troquato Vineyards
24130 Big Basin Way, Saratoga CA; Tel. 408.866.6700
Troquato Vineyards is a small, family-owned vineyard that has operated in the Santa Clara Valley for more than two decades. It produces small lots of award-winning cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, merlot and zinfandel.
