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Just five minutes past the Gilroy Outlets, up a white picket fenced drive, I arrived at the bucolic hillside winery called Sunlit Oaks. With sweeping 180-degree views of the valley below and raptors soaring above, I felt an instant peacefulness.Electrical engineer-turned winemaker John Grogan was there pouring a line-up of five, equally outstanding wines. All the grapes used in Sunlit Oaks’ wines are grown in Santa Clara Valley. The un-oaked 2012 Chardonnay ($22), with its toasted nut profile is one of the most interesting interpretations of this varietal that you’ll find—a refreshing change from more typical, fruity styles.Merlot lovers will enjoy the 2012 Merlot ($19), full of plummy fruit and soft tannins. Their gold medal winner, a 2012 Sangiovese ($28), is a cherries jubilee of a wine with plenty of tart red fruits that would be a heavenly match with a plate of spaghetti marinara. The third and final red tasting was Rita’s Red Reserve ($35) a bold blend with concentrated layers of black fruit and sturdy tannins.Sunlit Oaks’ 2012 Moscato ($22), an ever-so-slightly sweet wine, completed our tasting. The lovely lychee aroma is evident as soon as you bring the glass to your nose.Mini gourmet picnics are available for purchase and wine club members are free to pick and choose their favorite wines in the quarterly shipments.John, an attentive host, said, “I want people to feel relaxed and at home here. I encourage them to bring picnics, linger and enjoy the serenity of the views and the wine.”

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