TEN WINERIES WITHIN TEN MILES OF LOS GATOS
California is renowned for its stellar wines. The warm climate in the Santa Cruz Mountains above Los Gatos are ideal for vineyards to thrive. There is no need to drive all the way to Napa or the Central Coast to find amazing Chardonnays, Merlots or Pinot Noirs.
The mountains surrounding Los Gatos are home to a myriad of wineries, many with their own vineyards as well as unique and storied pasts. Quite a few afford breathtaking views in addition to their mouthwatering varietals.
We invite you to discover ten of the best wineries within ten miles of downtown Los Gatos. An interactive map will guide you as you plan a local adventure bursting with lush vineyards, incredible vistas and award-winning wines.
1. Testarossa Winery & Tasting Room
408-354-6150
300 College Avenue Los Gatos
testarossa.com
Testarossa is located at the historic Novitiate Winery in downtown Los Gatos. Built in 1888 by Jesuits, it originally served as a place to make alter wines. It is California’s fourth oldest continuously operating winery. Although Testarossa has a state-of-the-art facility, the original stone cellars are still in use. The dramatic setting provides an amazing venue for private events while their Wine Bar 107 serves up the Testerossa experience with artisan wines, small plates and live music in spring and summer. Known for their Chardonnay and Pinor Noir, Testarossa has been awarded Best in Silicon Valley and many of their wines have received a “Ninety Points or Above” excellence grade. The tasting room is open daily 11am to 5pm and they offer guided winery tours Wednesday through Sunday at 1pm.
2. Byington Vineyard & Winery
21850 Bear Creek Road, Los Gatos
408-354-1111
byington.com
A ‘gem of the Santa Cruz Mountains,’ Byington Vineyard and Winery has been operating as a winery since the early 1970s and was purchased by Los Altos Vineyards in 2013. They have updated grounds and facilities as well as created new facilities including the Cave Patio, Block 4 Outlook and a hiking trail for visitors to enjoy. Surrounded by 95-acres of views, vineyards and an 18,000 square foot villa, Byington is an exceptional wine lovers getaway, perfect for tasting, picnics and private events. Sample Silver Medal Sauvignon Blancs, Pinot Noirs and Cabernets in the tasting room, open Thursday through Sunday from 11am to 5pm. 45 minute guided tours are also available on weekends.
3. David Bruce Winery
21439 Bear Creek Road, Los Gatos
408-354-4214
davidbrucewinery.com
Known around the world for its outstanding pinot noir, David Bruce Winery has followed traditional European wine making practices for over 40 years while also pioneering innovations in California winemaking. Founded in the 1960s by medical student David Bruce, for the first 25 years, Bruce ran the winery in conjunction with his medical practice in Los Gatos. About 15 minutes from downtown Los Gatos, the winery sits at 2,200 feet overlooking the Monterey Bay, Pacific Ocean and its 25 acres of vineyards. They also produce Zinfandel, Petite Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and have a “private cellar club” offering discounts and invitations to special tasting and events. Their tasting room hours vary by season but they are generally open to the public Friday through Sunday 11am to 4pm.
4. Purrucci Family Vineyard
15050 Kennedy Road, Los Gatos
408-275-0550
perruccifamily.com
Perruci is a family owned and operated winery about 4 miles from downtown Los Gatos. It all began in the 1990’s when brothers Andy and Greg tried their hand at growing grapes and making wine. Today the boutique Perrucci Family Vineyard purposefully limits their annual production to enable them to create impeccable, award-winning wines. Over the years, they’ve expanded their vineyards, to extend their varietal offerings while their original vines produce Malbec, Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. Perrucci offers an impressive list of both single varietals and blends.
5. Regale Winery & Vineyards
24040 Summit Road, Los Gatos
408-353-2500
regalewine.com
Ten miles from downtown Los Gatos, the intimate Italian villa-inspired Regale Winery sits atop a peak on Summit Road in the Santa Cruz Mountains. With awe-inspiring views of their gardens, the coastal mountains and Pacific Ocean, Regale Winery offers an old world wine country experience. They hold special events throughout the year and their tasting room is open to the public on Saturdays 11am to 4pm and Sundays 11am to 5pm. Known for their estate-grown Pinot Noir and Cabernet, Regale also offers other limited edition varietals for sale on their website.
6. Burrell School Vineyards & Winery
24060 Summit Road, Los Gatos
408-353-6290
burrellschool.com
Occupying a 139 year-old schoolhouse, Burrell School Vineyards & Winery opened its doors in the 1970s. It is literally next door to Regale, making these two wineries ideal for an afternoon tasting experience. Their estate-grown varietals include Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Merlot. These award-winning wines along with others can be experienced in their tasting room Thursdays through Sundays from 11am to 5pm. Their wines are available for purchase at the winery and online, with members receiving special discounts.
7. Loma Prieta Winery
26985 Loma Prieta Way, Los Gatos
408-353-2950
lomaprietawinery.com
Not far from Regale and Burrell School is Loma Prieta Winery. Although it’s a few miles outside the 10-mile mark from downtown Los Gatos, it is worth a visit if you’re making a day of exploring wineries along Summit Road. At 2,600 feet, the views of the mountain range and Monterey Bay are spectacular. Loma Prieta is known for its multiple award-winning Pinotage and is the only winery in the Santa Cruz Mountains growing this varietal. In addition, they have the distinction of being the largest producer of Pinotage in North America. The tasting room is open Saturday and Sunday from 12noon to 5pm.
8. Wrights Station Vineyard & Winery
24250 Loma Prieta Avenue, Los Gatos
408-560-9343
wrightsstation.com
Located off Summit Road and another to add to the list along with Regale, Burrell and Loma Prieta wineries, Wrights Station specializes in estate grown Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Once a remote town that served as a staging area for the railroad workers who drilled the 1.2 mile tunnel through the mountains in 1887, the town had 3,200 acres of orchards and vineyards covering its hillsides. Today, Wrights Station Vineyard & Winery sit above where the township once stood, its elegant yet relaxing atmosphere a perfect place to stop and taste their old vine Chardonnay and highly regarded Pinots. The tasting room is open Friday through Sunday, 11am to 5pm.
9. Villa del Monte Winery
23076 Summit Rd, Los Gatos
408-353-0995
villadelmontewinery.com
On Summit Road, Villa del Monte is yet another award-winning, family-owned winery offering tasting to the public one weekend a month, by appointment for large groups and pours at a number of wine tasting events in the area. This boutique estate specializes in Cabernet, Malbec, Zinfandel and Chardonnay. They do have a wine club as well as an online store.
10. Silver Mountain Vineyards
269 Silver Mountain Drive, Los Gatos
408-353-2278
silver-mountain.squarespace.com
Silver Mountain Vineyards creates organically grown wines in small batches using a blend of old world tradition melded with modern wine-making science, including the use of a triple ‘green’ canopy roof that allows it to be 100% energy self-sufficient and sustainable. Although slightly outside the 10-mile mark, it merits a visit, especially if you’ve planned to visit other estates along Summit Road. Their tasting room is open Saturdays from noon to 5pm or by appointment where visitors can partake of estate Chardonnay, Rose of Pinot Noir, and Alloy, a Bordeaux blend.
