Tag: wine

With the holidays fast approaching, my thoughts turn to family gatherings, gift-giving and sparkling wine - not necessarily in that order. Since the topic of family gatherings would far exceed the limited word count of this column, I will focus on gift ideas for the wine lover on your list and sparkling wines that can be essential to getting through family gatherings.

After several challenging years that included drought, mold, unseasonably cool temperatures and even hungry nematodes, 2012 is shaping up to be “pure perfection” and “just wonderful” for many of Santa Clara Valley’s 22 wineries.

South County wineries are hosting the second Passport Weekend of the year Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

From drought to mold, unseasonably cool temperatures to hungry nematodes, winemakers take their occupational wildcards in stride.

Sarah's Vineyard was founded in 1978 in the windy funnel of the Hecker Pass, a few miles west of Gilroy on Highway 152. For more than 30 years Sarah’s has specialized in estate-grown Pinot Noir and Chardonnay made in small batches using classic Burgundian winemaking techniques and French oak cooperage.

Rapazzini Winery was opened in 1962 by Jon Rapazzini at the intersection of Highways 101 and 25 just south of Gilroy. Brothers, Charlie and Alex Larson, purchased the winery in 2000 where they continue to make great wines at affordable prices. They offer a wide range of 30 different wines -including 20 specific varietals and Almond Champagne.

Morgan Hill Cellars (formerly Pedrizzetti Winery) will celebrate its 100th anniversary next year.  Since the winery no longer has its own vineyards, the Cellars are not limited in the varieties of wines they can produce.  

Monte Verde Vineyards is small family-run winery owned by Todd and Alexia Johnson. What started as a backyard hobby in 2000 with 300 Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon vines has culminated into an award-winning winery today. Alexia was born and raised in Spain and so naturally, the focus is on Spanish wines. They produce an Estate Tempranillo as well as their flagship Estate blend of Merlot, Cab and Tempranillo, called Tres Amigos. They also carry a Spanish white varietal, Albarino. Using only French barrels, their wines are produced in small lots and production is kept to less than 500 cases per year.

Léal Estate Vineyards selects the highest quality of both grapes and barrels to create a union of intensity and finesse. The result can be found in wines that express elegant flavors, fine layers of complexity and a lingering finish that will touch all of your senses.

Founded in 1916, Kirigin Cellars is one of California's oldest wineries and is located in the hills west of Gilroy. Kirigin Cellars is home to fine wines, hand-crafted in small batches.