Fortino Winery Jason-Stephens
Thomas Kruse Mann Cellars makers . In addition to the vineyards at Fernwood , Matt manages and maintains a number of local vineyards .
Fernwood produces many exceptional wines . The wine club is large and hosts a variety of not-to-be-missed events . Past Octoberfests , a wine BBQ in September in a redwood grove , have been a blast . The lobster boil , vineyard dinners , and especially the reserve dinners , are extraordinary . Matt and Tiffany Oetinger put together warm , spectacular events .
Because of the narrow road into the winery it is only open the third weekend of the month . The winery might soon open a second tasting room in Los Gatos . ( fernwoodcellars . com )
“ One of the ten best foodie events of my life was a Reserve Dinner at Fernwood Cellars . The setting on top of a vineyard , the food , the wine and the company made for an exceptional experience .” Larry J . Mickartz
Ernie Fortino , founder of Fortino
Winery in 1970 , calls his journey “ an American dream story .” He arrived from Italy in 1960 . With some money borrowed from family , he purchased the former Cassa Winery , which was run down and had been closed for some time . Thirty-four years later , due to hard work and perseverance , his children Gino and Teri run a thriving winery and event center . The winery produces about 15,000 cases a year and hosts too many events to count .
The family-owned winery hosts a gift shop , large outside event area , barrel room and tasting room . Among Ernie ’ s favorites are the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon and the Cask 140 , a Cab and Charbono blend . Locals drink up the Mirabella , Chardonnay and the unique Almond Champagne . New to the offerings are a series of pomegranate , apricot and blackberry fruit wines . The event center hosts weddings , parties and special events , including fantastic wine club activities . ( fortinowinery . com )
Also on Hecker Pass Highway is Hecker Pass Winery . Mario Fortino founded it in 1972 . It is family owned and operated . The wines are estate grown and use dry farming techniques . They recently opened La Vigna , a thriving event center that hosted 45 weddings in 2013 . La Vigna has a versatile inside space as well as outside space with beautiful views of the vineyard and hills to the north . The wine club is relatively quiet , but staff is planning several events for 2014 .
Among Mario Fortino ’ s favorites are Uva Nera , a dry red that has been in the barrel for seven years , and a gold medal winner , Ruby Port . The winery has garnered awards for many wines including their Zinfandel , Chianti , Caringnane , Cream Sherry and Marsala . ( heckerpasswinery . com )
Jason-Stephens Winery on Watsonville Road is a partnership between Jason Goetz , winemaker , and
Stephen Dorcich , winegrower . The 45 acres of Dorcich vineyards produce some great wine and has done a lot to bring some recognition to this area . The now defunct Friday Night Music Series was one of those events that just got too big … too much for the neighborhood ... too much for a not-so-large winery ! Future event plans call for more wine club focused events and smaller crowds .
Jason Stephens wines are becoming well know outside this area . Since their first vintages they have garnered numerous awards . The recently remodeled tasting room offers a lightfilled , welcoming space to taste .
The vineyards along Watsonville Road are a visual delight . The Quadrilateral System makes for a beautiful and elegant looking vineyard . The winery produces a variety of estate wines . When pressured , the wine tasting room staff has a slight preference for the Merlot and Cabernet ( both 2007 estate wines won Gold medals at the Beverage Tasting Institute .)
Jason Goetz and a partner recently purchased the Lion Oak ’ s Ranch on Hecker Pass . They are currently planning an event center with some overnight accommodations , restaurant , and tasting room on the property , pending County approvals . They have already begun the process of planting new vines on the property . ( jstephens . com )
Kirigin Cellars is the oldest winery in the area and one that has gone through a great transformation in the last few years .
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