Gilroy Welcome Center

«Silicon Valley» — it’s easy to forget this area’s role as California’s first premium wine production region — the Santa Clara Valley. Napa Valley Wineries meet Santa Clara Valley Wineries. Many will tell you that nowadays Napa Valley is too commercial. Luckily a short drive south of San Jose you will find plenty of local wineries without all the snootiness. Passport Weekend — Wineries of the Santa Clara Valley, a collaboration between Gilroy Visitors Bureau and 21 local wineries was a huge success. For $ 25 ($ 20 for groups 10 and up) the 2 day VIP treatment included barrel tastings, BBQ’s, winery tours, special discounts, new releases, antipasti, music, a souvenir wine glass, a Santa Clara Valley Wine map and your passport. Gasp. that was a lot of stuff and of course great wines. The participating wineries were:
* Casa de Fruta
* Cinnabar Winery
* Clos LaChance Winery
* Cooper-​Garrod Estate Vineyards
* Creekview Vineyards
* Emilio Guglielmo WInery
* Fortino Winery
* Hecker Pass Winery
* J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines
* Jason — Stephens Winery
* Kirigin Cellars
* Martin Ranch Winery
* Monte Verde Vineyards
* Morgan Hill Cellars
* Pinder Winery
* Rapazzini Winery
* Sarah’s Vineyard
* Satori Cellars
* Solis Winery
* Sycamore Creek Vineyards & Winery
* Thomas Kruse Winery
The nicest winery was Clos LaChance as it’s probably the most Napa Valley of them all. But my favorite winery by far was Jason-​Stephens. Their setup was the best and they made me a believer of their Syrah. We definitely had a great time at the handful of wineries we visited. Some folks were pulling up in Hummer limos so we’ll probably be rollin’ like that next year. If you couldn’t make it this year… plan on it for next year.
* As always please choose a designated driver