Winosplace.com took a mini tour of Santa Clara Valley and Carmel Wineries. Join us as we travel along the coast and through Gilroy to discover family owned and estate wineries. Santa Clara Valley is the oldest continuously producing wine region in California.

Hecker Pass Winery and Tasting Room, Gilroy, California, (Established 1959).
"Be Part of the Experience"

With a history of over 150 years, and three generations of Winemakers, Hecker Pass knows wine. The family tradition of wine making began in Italy and a lot of the flavour has been preserved since the migration to California.

Hecker Pass is an estate winery, so all wine's served and sold are grown on site.

Hecker Pass is 100% Family owned by Mario, Frances and Carlo Fortino.
All wines are aged for 5 years before release.
Carlo Fortino was kind enough to let Winosplace.com behind the scenes to observe how the wine is stored.

The area is beautiful and on a stretch of several other wineries. Well worth a visit.

Special Offers: 25% off cases AND you can mix cases! Great if ou can't decide between Chianti or Merlot.

"I'm not one of the owners, but I've been coming here for years and it truly is the best winery in the area" says a Loyal Hecker Pass Customer.

Winosplace.com Recommends; Zinfandel, and Award Winning Vintner Merlot (2000).

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Rapazzini Winery, 4350 Monterey Road, Gilroy, CA.

Located in Gilroy the Garlic capital of the world, Rapazzini Winery can be found at the Hollister Exit on Highway 101&25 next to The Garlic Shoppe.
Of course being located next to a Garlic shop you can only expect that they would have Garlic Cooking Wine available in red or white.

As a member of the Wine Club you receive 25% off case prices, and two bottles shipped to your door six times a year. You also receive 10% off the wide
range of giftware and gourmet foods available in the Rapazzini Winery Gift Shop and Tasting Room.

Winosplace.com Recommends; Syrah (1999)

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Bernadus, Carmel Valley, CA.

"At Bernardus the textural element-"the mouth feel'-is the most important expression of wine."

Bernadus Winery offers two wine tasting options. For $5 you can taste the variety of widely distributed wines such as the Chardonnay (2004) which can be purchased at Whole Foods (Great if you're not in the area but would still like to try this delightfully flavorful white.) For $10 you can try the reserve wines which are sold on site. This includes their Reserve Marinus - Flagship wine, comprised of 90% Cabernet Savignon, 1% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot. The Savignon Blanc is produced in 100% Steel Barrels, so you won't find many Oak flavors in the wine.
The Tasting finishes with a Cabernet as it's the thickest grape skin.
Wine Tasting Fees Refundable upon purchase of $75 or more.

Winosplace.com Recommends; Estate Merlot (2001), Savignon Blanc (2005)

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Fortino, Hecker Pass Highway, Gilroy CA, 95020 (Est.1970)

Although Ernesto Fortino, the founder, has now retired, we were fortunate enough to meet him and discuss his winemaking.
During the wine tasting, we requested particular wine's we like. Fortino would serve us with the label of the bottle away from us, like a blind taste test.
This was interesting as it turned out we liked many of the wines we perhaps wouldn't have tried upon their grape name.
Fortino went onto explain, that for him it is more important to find a wine you like, then attempt to sell you the most expensive wine.

"I could sell you the most expensive wine here, and tell you how wonderful it is, but if you go home and you don't like the taste, you're not going to come back! I'd much rather have you enjoy the wine and return."

Winosplace.com Recommends; Burgundy Reserve, Almond Champagne.

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San Saba Vineyards, Inc. Carmel Valley Rd, Carmel Valley Village, CA, 95924
"San Saba's time has come - a new winery to complement our old vines, producing fine wines in limited bottlings."

San Saba Vineyards was made for Winosplace.com. When explaining our objective of taking the intimidation out of learning and drinking wine, Julie, immediately replied "Because everyone's taste is different". Perhaps she's been here before...
There are two San Saba tasting rooms, the other is located in Soledad, CA 93960, be sure to visit at least one!

Winosplace.com Recommends; Cabernet Savignon (2004)

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