Project Roadmap: steering toward college admission
The college admissions process is a confusing stew of acronyms, jargon and can’t-miss deadlines that’s difficult even for students who enjoy every advantage. Now imagine trying to navigate it if your parents didn’t attend college, aren’t native English speakers, or work long hours at low-paying jobs to make ends meet and don’t have the time or information to help.
Sycamore Creek Vineyards
Nestled in the heart of historic Uvas Valley in Morgan Hill, Sycamore Creek is a small family-owned winery that produces limited amounts of award-winning, hand-crafted wines. The estate vineyard consists of head cane old vine plantings, as well as more modern plantings which utilize state of the art trellising and canopy management techniques. Their winemaking focuses on capturing the expression of the Uvas Valley and creating wines with great depth and finesse. When crafting each wine, they handle the fruit gently and process as little as possible, utilizing both traditional and modern fermentation and cellaring techniques to preserve the distinctiveness of Sycamore Creek Vineyards.
Rapazzini Winery
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.
Monte Verde Vineyards
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.
Kirigin Cellars
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.
Hecker Pass Winery
At Hecker Pass Winery, we believe family is the cornerstone for creating wines with a devotion to tradition. It is this commitment that allows us to produce wines with true Italian character. Mario Fortino (owner of Fortino Winery as well) and his family has a tradition of winemaking and commitment to excellence that continues as his son Carlo integrates the time-honored methods of 150 years of experience. It follows the wisdom of three generations of winemakers who had innovative ideas for the future.
Casa de Fruta
Ever since Casa de Fruta planted their first vineyards and orchards in 1908, they’ve been growing. The third-generation Zanger Family welcomes everyone to enjoy their varietal wines and gourmet fruit wines with tasting daily from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.
A few words from the keeper of disorganized stuff
Have you noticed over the last couple of months a proliferation of publications making grandiose proposals to “Get Organized?” Gone (and good riddance!) are those slick magazines pledging “Your Best Thanksgiving Feast EVER!” and “Countdown to your MOST MEMORABLE Christmas!” Apparently, after all that feasting and memorable-ness, we suddenly feel the urge to rehab our nests.
One of South Valley’s most interesting men
The most interesting man in the world of the beer has been upstaged by the most interesting man in the wine world – our very own Josh Jensen of Calera Winery in Hollister.



















