Santa Clara

Santa Clara

Clos La Chance Wines

wine glass and corks

los LaChance is a family-owned and operated winery in the Northern Central Coast region of California. Tucked into the beautiful Hayes Valley, Clos LaChance is a true wine country experience located only 30 minutes from the Silicon Valley. Clos LaChance is a unique site, elegant yet quietly informal—the perfect place for a memorable event.

Hecker Pass Winery

wine glass, picnic table - Pixabay

Hecker Pass Winery, established in 1972 by a third-generation vintner from Italy, produces wines in a classic European style. The winery embraces traditional methods, including dry farming, head pruning, hand picking, and wild yeast fermentation, ensuring each wine reflects a natural, Italian character. Committed to sustainability, they avoid herbicides, pesticides, and cultured yeast, focusing on crafting authentic wines. Today, the fourth and fifth generations of the family proudly continue this legacy, producing old-world wines in a sustainable way for future generations.

Casa De Fruta

people enjoying wines outdoors - Agata Wine Artist

About Casa de Fruta

Ever since the first orchards were planted in 1908, Casa de Fruta has been growing. New orchards, new varieties, new stores, new family members, new catalogs, and of course, new web pages have all contributed to its expansion. Located at a roadside site in the fertile Pacheco Valley, nestled between Monterey and Yosemite, Casa de Fruta has welcomed visitors from around the world.

New additions are continually being introduced alongside classic favorites, inviting both new visitors and returning patrons to experience the evolving offerings.

Casa de Fruta stands as a testament to the American success story, flourishing from the roots of an immigrant Italian family. Since the initial orchards were planted in 1908, it has evolved into a diversified enterprise. In the 1940s, three teenage brothers—George, Joseph, and Eugene Zanger—opened a cherry stand on the Pacheco Pass Highway. Encouraged by their mother, Clara Bisceglia Zanger, the young entrepreneurs expanded their operation into the multifaceted business it is today. Now, the families of Joseph and Eugene continue to operate one of the country's most unique businesses, embodying the spirit of growth and innovation.

Fellom Ranch Vineyards

pouring wine - Pixabay

Fellom Ranch was founded in 1928 by Senator Roy Fellom. The land was already planted with vines, but prohibition was in effect at the time. According to reports the vines were tended by local families who harvested the grapes for their own use as payment. The 12 acre vineyard was eventually largely replanted and in 1987 the winery became bonded to sell wines.

Leal Vineyards

grape clusters

In addition to enjoying Leal WInes this is certainly one of the wineries to consider for a wedding to be remembered or other large event. The venue is absolutely stunning, all of the vendors are exceptional and the team is ablsolutely wonderful to work with for events.

Rabbit’s Foot Meadery

painting of woman drinking a glass of wine with her two cats

Rabbit’s Foot Meadery produces award winning mead - honey wine, hard ciders and our famous braggot. Rabbit’s Foot recipes and methods have been perfected over a period of more than fifteen years and combine the latest in fermentation technology with historical recipes to create unique mead - honey wine in a style that is like no other. All of our mead, ciders, dessert mead and braggots-honey ales, are produced using the finest honey available without the addition of added sulfites.

We no longer operate a public tasting room. Please contact the meadery to arrange a private tasting and tour.
info@rabbitsfootmeadery.com
F: 1.408.940.5039

Domenico Wines

Domenico wines on a barrel

Dominick and Gloria Chirichillo’s choice of name for their winery is a reflection of their commitment to their Italian heritage and the tradition of family winemaking. In 1955 in New York, Dominick who is called Domenico in Italian was introduced to these traditions by his Nonno (grandfather), Domenico Giovinazzo. In the basement of their home was a wine press that Nonno showed Dominick; passing down from one generation to another the love of handcrafting wine. Affordable, delicious Santa Cruz Mountain wines, great tasting room, wonderful owners/winemakers. It has been inspiring in seeing Domenico Wines expand and grow. Kudos, and wishing the team the very best on their latest wines and their new tasting room location in San Carlos. Domenico Wines was included in a brief video presentation of wineries that are part of the 3rd Annual Mid Peninsula Summer Wine Trail. You can get a peek HERE We are looking forward to getting an interview (video) with Dominick Chirichillo in the near future.~

Hours:

Mon-Tue   Closed
Wed     12:00pm to 8:00pm
Thu      12:00pm to 8:00pm
Fri         12:00pm to 8:00pm
Sat        12:00pm to 8:00pm
Sun       12:00pm to 6:00pm

Rapazzini Winery

cluster of purple grapes

Rapazzini Winery began in 1962 by another pair of brothers Jon & Vic Rapazzini. They operated the winery and tasting room at 4310 Monterey Highway together for decades.  Jon & his wife Zondra later operated the business for several more decades until they sold the Winery and The Garlic Shoppe to two of their friends, former employees, and brothers Alex & Charles Larson.  Alex Larson was the first Male to win the National Scholarship in Foods & Nutrition through the 4-H Youth Program as a teenager. Charlie Larson won the Citizenship National Award through the 4-H program.  Alex continued to become a professional Chef at The California Culinary Academy while Charles attended UC Berkeley aka Cal at the same time.  Then the two men  22, Alex & 23, Charles opened Sandrinos Ristorante & Bar winning a 3 1/2 star review after just 6 months in business.  In the following year, they won the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for their Wine List and service. The brothers worked at the two businesses in the late 90s  April 2000 The new adventure began as Jon and Zondra retired to the mountains of Ben Lomond California. 

Martin Ranch Winery

Winemakers Thérèse and Dan Martin

This winery is fun! They're only open the third weekend of the month. Tucked away down Redwood Retreat Road about 3.5 miles from Watsonville Road, the drive to get here is truly spectacular. They are only open the third weekend of each month and passport weekends. They ask that you sign in and they then give you name tags with your first name on it. The staff was friendly and the owners Therese and Dan were walking around greeting people. Dan and Therese Martin clearly have a passion for making great wine. They have scores of awards for their wine but that's not what they lead with. Their tasting room is welcoming and intimate. The vibe is comfortable and engaging. Martin Ranch produces a variety of wines from Chardonnay to Cab Franc, Sauvignon Blanc to Sangiovese.

Hallcrest Vineyards

woman and child in flower garden

Appropriately named by the Hall family back in the 1880s, Hallcrest is at the crest of a small hill above the old town of Felton nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains. It was a retreat for the Hall family until 1941 when Chaffee Hall, a prominent business attorney from San Francisco acted on his obsession with wine and planted the first vineyard. At the time, it was one of only three wineries in the Santa Cruz Mountains and the only one producing varietal wines from estate vineyards.

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