Fabulous Miramar

Ed Castro might not have begun his career in the wine industry, but his attention to detail and quality of wine will keep him in business for a long time. A plumber by trade, Ed was first introduced to the wine industry by family members who live in Napa Valley. His cousin has a winery in St. Helena, and he remembers going up to visit and help out when he was in his youth.
He never thought of the South County as a wine region until he began dating a woman who lived in Gilroy. She took him around and showed him the Gilroy and Morgan Hill wineries and vineyards, and Ed fell in love with the area and the community vibe. He then decided that opening a winery down here was his goal. Once he set his mind to it, nothing could stop him.
He acquired the New Avenue location in San Martin and immediately planted Syrah with help from his cousin.
Ed describes himself as the type of person who loves to learn, and his cousin taught him how to plant vines and establish a vineyard. They have planted 5,000 vines, and Castro dug every hole himself, many by his own hand. He has five acres planted with red varieties: Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. His primary focus is red wines, and any white wines he produces, such as Chardonnay, are sourced locally.
Ed wants to keep the focus local and stresses the importance of supporting the local community. He wants to keep the emphasis on small lots, boutique wines and high quality, but stresses they don’t want to be Napa. “We want to be different, but in a good way,” he said.
When he first started in the 2007 vintage, he got some help from other local wineries, such as Fortino in Gilroy. Ed met Gino Fortino at a charity event, and Gino gave him lots of advice and assistance in his early years. But Ed realized he needed his own in-house winemaker, so he hired a former intern named Gary from Testarossa Winery in Los Gatos to make all his wines in house. Together, they now make 1,200 cases a year.
“You have to be proud of your product,” said Ed, and his products are definitely sources of great pride. Tastes of his 2013 Chardonnay, 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2011 Merlot showcase that attention to detail and quality. With complex flavors, a good and balanced use of oak, balanced tannins and acids and a velvety finish, Ed’s commitment to quality really shows through in all his wines.
When I met with Ed and Angela Russo, his tasting room manager, I was immediately struck by the setting with its picturesque views of rolling hills, a beautiful outdoor patio area next to the vineyards and a gorgeous sunset. They hope to open for private events in the near future. “We want people to feel welcome when they come here, to feel important and drink good wine,” Angela said. “Water separates people, but wine brings them together.”
Visit Miramar Winery, 12255 New Ave., San Martin, from noon to 5 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday.
Alicia Cuadra-Cutler is is a certified sommelier, certified specialist of wine and wine consultant. Follow her on Twitter @AliciaSeesWine.