Satori Cellars: A Tasting Experience in the Heart of Santa Clara Valley

Satori Cellars features an inviting outdoor tasting cabana, surrounded by 15 acres of flourishing, pampered grapes from the Santa Clara Valley. The tasting room is open to the public on the first, second, and third full weekends of each month, Saturdays and Sundays, as well as on the fifth Saturday, from noon to 5 PM. Guests can enjoy private VIP tastings and large group celebrations on the fourth (or fifth) weekends of the month, available by reservation. The winery proudly showcases award-winning, estate-grown reds, including Merlot, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, and Petite Sirah.

While the focus is on exceptional wine, the atmosphere is equally appealing. Satori Cellars is dog-friendly, kid-friendly, and perfect for families and groups. Visitors are encouraged to bring a picnic, listen to live music, catch the game, play bocce, and unwind in a relaxed setting where a memorable Satori story is sure to unfold.

Tastings are offered at $20, which includes one white wine and four red wines. Additionally, guests can enjoy wine by the glass, refreshing mimosas (sparkling wine and orange juice), and a seasonal homemade special-recipe sangria.

While reservations are not required, they are highly recommended to ensure a delightful experience at Satori Cellars.

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People enjoying wine - wine artist Agata Zaborowski

It all began when Pierre Pourroy went to work for a local vineyard, owned by Jean Narcisse Aubry. Pierre fell in love with one of his daughters, Marie Louise and the two were married in 1891. Pierre and his brother, Eloi worked for Aubry and eventually saved enough money to purchase and plant their own estate in 1901.

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The brothers along with their wives planted the Zinfandel vines in 1910, and built our Tasting Room barn in 1912. Not deterred by Prohibition, they planted the Cabernet Franc in 1920, and the Carignan in 1924. Work was finished In 1923 on a large family home, designed after architecture in northern Paris. The Villa was to be named after the hill where the brothers grew up in Paris, but the craftsmen misspelled the name and left off the first 't', giving it the name Monmartre which can be seen today on the side of the building. In 1955 Pierre would retire from winemaking.

With Saxon Brown, owner/winemaker Jeff Gaffner has parlayed his longstanding grower relationships, developed as a consulting winemaker, into a line of small, site-driven bottlings that celebrate his favorite vineyard sites.

Jeff began his career at Chateau St. Jean, under the tutelage of renowned vintner Richard Arrowood, who Jeff credits with teaching him the importance of being as passionate about growing the grapes as making the wine. While at Chateau St. Jean, Jeff was part of the winemaking team responsible for the winery’s celebrated 1996 Cinq Cepages, which was named Wine of the Year by Wine Spectator Magazine.

In the years since, Jeff has become one of the most sought after winemakers for artisan labels, having gained critical acclaim and a loyal following for his site-specific focus and restrained winemaking style. The Wall Street Journal has said that they “love his vineyard voice”, while the Wine Spectator has lauded his winemaking as “deft”.