The west side of Silicon Valley, where scenic woods meet the base of the Santa Cruz Mountains, is California’s oldest wine region. The topography of hilly terrain valley and coastline combine to create the area’s rich, diverse soil, which provides a thriving micro-climate to produce some of the world’s most distinct and famous wines.
The rustic village of Saratoga west of Santa Clara is the region’s hub, with tasting rooms, breezy outdoor patios and live music. Situated within Saratoga’s rolling hillsides is Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyards, a family-owned and operated winery that’s been in the winemaking business since 1893 and offers a range of homegrown wines in their historic tasting room.
WIth over 150 wineries within a 35 mile radius of San Jose, the area is peppered with wine bars, tasting rooms and restaurants that serve wine on tap. Catch an evening of entertainment at the famous Mountain Winery, founded by Paul Masson who was known as the “Champagne King of California.” Today, his winery is the site of summertime concerts in an intimate venue under the stars. Ridge Vineyards is located at the top of Monte Bella, just moments away from the bustle of downtown Cupertino. This winery is over a century old and boasts some of the best zinfandels in the region, created using sustainable practices.
