Rapazzini Winery
Sarah ’ s Vineyard
Solis Winery
Thomas Kruse Winery
T H E W I N E R I E S O F G I L R O Y
Rapazzini Winery
4650 Monterey Road 842-5649 rapazziniwinery . com
Wine Club : Yes Tasting Room : Yes Hours : 9am-6pm Daily
Founded : 1962 Alex and Charlie Larson purchased the winery in 1999
“ Rapazzini Winery is more than a winery , it is also the Garlic Shoppe next door and at the Outlets . Because we purchase grapes , we are able to choose grapes that produce several varietals and desert wines that suit the needs of their customers .”
Alex Larson , Owner
Most Celebrated Wine Generally the reds are well known but recently Apribella , a California white with infused apricot and peach flavors has been very popular . But of course there is always the infamous Garlic Wine !
Future Plans The Winery has purchased the land and building across the highway . The mansion is the new event center for now . Eventually it will also house the winery when it is replaced by a new 101-25 interchange . Soon the web page will post information on a series of upcoming wine dinners at the new event center .
Sarah ’ s Vineyard
4005 Hecker Pass Road 842-4278 sarahsvineyard . com
Wine club : Yes Tasting Room : Yes ( new ) Hours : Friday Noon-5pm Sat-Sun 11am-5pm
Founded : 1978
“ We are working hard to produce the very best wine . In the recent Chronicle tasting Sarah ’ s entered eight wines and won eight medals , four of them gold .”
Jerry Starr Director of Sales & Marketing
Most Celebrated Wine Probably the 2004 Reserve Pinot Noir . The four wines that received the Gold Medals were 2005 Roussanne , Besson 2005 Chardonnay , Reserve 2005 Chardonnay , Steel Blue 2005 FiftyFifty Blend .
Future Plans Expanded tasting room hours to seven days a week , new releases including some Rhone style wines and several new events .
Solis Winery
3920 Hecker Pass Hwy 847-6306 soliswinery . com
Wine club : Yes Tasting Room : Yes Hours : Daily 11:00-5:00
Founded : 1980 First wine 1989 ; sold to Michael and Vic Vanni 2007
“ First of all we make some great wines that are Napa quality . Secondly , we maintain a friendly atmosphere that makes everyone feel welcomed .”
Michael Vanni , Owner
Most Celebrated Wine The premium reds such as the Reserve Cabernet and Merlot , the Santa Clara Syrah and the Sangiovese which all have won numerous awards are the ones .
Future Plans Very soon the winery will receive new winemaking equipment , which will allow them to process the grapes quicker and more efficiently with the end result of a better wine .
Thomas Kruse Winery
3200 Dryden Ave 842-7016 thomaskrusewinery . com
Wine club : No Tasting Room : Yes Hours : Tues-Sun 12:00-5:00
Founded : 1971 ; moved to present location in 1997 and opened the tasting room in 2004
Tom Kruse , owner and winemaker , describes his winery as “ having vertical integration from grape growing to wine making . At the winery people can experience the whole winemaking process . They get to see some of our 20 acres of trellised grapes and taste the end product . We host educational programs and go out to speak on the winemaking process . We invite people to bring a lunch and enjoy the whole experience .”
Most Celebrated Wine 2005 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Future Plans A very good chardonnay is coming out soon as well as some very good champaign fermented in the bottle .
Gilroy Today would be remiss and overly provincial if it did not acknowledge some of the other wineries nearby but outside Gilroy . Sycamore Creek Vineyards with winemaker , Ted Mereiros , is producing some great wines in a beautiful location ( 12775 Uvas Road ) near the Gilroy border . Clos LaChance in San Martin off Watsonville Road ( One Hummingbird Lane ) produces some fabulous wines at one of the most picturesque locations in all of California . Further up in Morgan Hill some long time favorites are Emilio Guglielmo and Pedrizzetti Wineries . Going southeast outside of Hollister there are numerous good wineries like Calera , Leal , Pietra Santa , Cienega Valley and De Rose .
MAY / JUNE 2007 GILROY TODAY