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Santa Clara Wine Country
By Yvonne Mason

The Little Known Glories of the Santa Clara Valley

The Gilroy Garlic Festival is one of the all time fun events, but its not the only affair of note in the Santa Clara Valley.

The area has been a fruit basket for a century and a half.

The oldest wineries in California and most of the garlic grown in the U.S. come from Santa Clara Valley. Located about 10 miles south of San Jose, Santa Clara County is still quite rural. Many unusual and interesting places find themselves in this valley.

Native Americans named Santa Clara Valley "the Valley of the Heart's Delight." French and Italian immigrants who settled here during the Gold Rush recognized the rich soils and Mediterranean climate as the perfect place to grow their varietals.

Pedrizzetti Winery has aged and bottled premium wines in Morgan Hill for over 90 years. Their La Fenice (the phoenix) presents a rare premium Barbera. The collection also includes: Merlot, Petite Syrah, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, and sparkling wine.

It was here at Pedrizzetti Winery I learned that Santa Clara Valley was one of the biggest growers of mushrooms. Mushrooms stuffed with seafood, cheese, and sausage, served at the winery, were delightful with the wines.

1645 San Pedro Ave., Morgan Hill (408)-779-7389

Dinner was at the lovely Piedmontese inspired stone complex of the welcoming Emilio Gugliellmo Winery. Family owned and operated since 1925, they offer a full selection of award winning premium varietal, sparkling and dessert wines. The pasta, salad and Tira Mi Su were the delicious accompaniments to the wines.

1480 E. Main St., Morgan Hill, (408)-779-2145

Andy’s Orchard a treat for kids of all ages, is a product of a long family history of fruit growing in the Santa Clara Valley. Operated by Andy Mariani, it is situated on a 30 acre farm only 15 minutes south of metropolitan San Jose. Andy’s Orchard not only grows the most flavorful fruit, Andy loves to see the expression on kids faces when they taste his extraordinary produce, Andy also sells dried fruit, nuts, candy, jams & preserves and food gifts.

1615 Half Road, Morgan Hill, (408)-782-7600

Clos La Chance Winery produces the Estate series, the Santa Cruz Mountain series and my favorite the Hummingbird Series: Glittering Emerald Throated Chardonnay, Pink Throated Brilliant Rose, Violet Crowned Merlot, Black Chinned Syrah, Buff Bellied Zinfandel and Ruby Throated Cabernet Sauvignon. Why hummingbirds? Because the vintners discovered hummingbirds frightened away other damaging birds.

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

Sycamore Creek Winery is a small family owned and operated winery producing a limited amount of unique handcrafted wines. The old vine cabernet and chardonnay vines are grown on the estate and are dry farmed to produce intense flavors and aromas.

12775 Uvas Rd., Morgan Hill, (408)-779-4738

Gilroy Gardens is a most fascinating event. California’s only horticultural theme park is also an amusement park, with over 40 gardens. including a butterfly exhibit inside the giant Monarch Garden, honey bee exhibit, musical market show, learning shed, Claudia's Garden, Rainbow Garden, Camellia Garden, Holly Garden, South County Backroads Garden and the extraordinary Circus Trees. The world’s strangest trees were originally grown and created by Axel Erlandson, son of a Swedish immigrant. Inspired by observing a natural graft between two sycamore trees, Erlandson began to shape trees using intricate techniques. His techniques resulted in woven wonders made from living wood. The branches were carefully bent rather than cut and became complex and compound designs. They must be seen to be believed.

3050 Hecker Pass Hwy., Gilroy (408)-840-7135

Goldsmith Seeds technical team has 252 years of growing and technical expertise. The result is the most beautiful display of plants to be grown from seeds, the plants are most likely available at your local nursery.

Gilroy, (800)-549-0158

Fortino Winery has a long history of premium, affordable wine dating back to the early 1800’s in Calabria, Italy, where the Fortino family originated. In 1970 Ernest Fortino founded the winery in Gilroy and the winery is now run by fourth generation Fortinos. The winery facility encompasses more than 80 arces with a wine cellar that accommodates over 1000,000 gallons of cooperage.

4525 Hecker Pass Hwy., Gilroy (408)-842-3305

Solis’ Winery winemaking goes back to the turn of the century combined with modern technology to produce award winning wines. The selection includes: cabernet sauvignon, merlot, chadonnay, syrah, sangiovese, barbera, Johannisberg reisling, muscat canelli and zinfandel.

3920 Hecker Pass Hwy., (408)-847-6306

Santa Clara Valley is definitely worth at least a two day visit and its only a 4 ½ hour drive from L.

The Gilroy Garlic Festival takes place the last full weekend of July, this year July 25, 26, 27. Make that a full four days of fun.

Last update Fri January 1, 2010 6:30 PM