Gilroy Today 2013 06 Summer | Page 44

Have you been to any of the local wine events : Santa Clara Valley Wine Association Passport Weekend , the Gilroy Downtown Business Assocation Art & Wine Stroll , Pinot Paradise or the Vintners Festival , this year ? If not , then you have missed the “ kick-off ” of the new season for fine wines .

You still have a chance to join in on the festivities . The wineries of Santa Clara Valley jumped into Spring in a grand and glorious way – by conducting tastings of all of their new wines .
From Solis , Sarah ’ s Vineyards and Fortino wineries on Hecker Pass Road , to Martin Ranch and Fernwood Cellars on Redwood Retreat Road , to Avery Family , Jason Stephen ’ s , Kirigin Cellars and Sycamore Creek wineries on Watsonville Road , the crowds have begun to sip , sample and savor our wonderful , local winery
perfect boutique winery .
At Fortino Winery don ’ t miss the gold medal-winning “ Mirabella ,” a tasty red blend . Gino just oozes Italian hospitality and joy of life . He says “ every day is Saturday and Sunday for me . I enjoy them “ immensely .” Check it out ! He ’ s a trip .
Martin Ranch Winery is offering their delicious new reds , ( Cabernet Franc , Dos Rios Cabernet Sauvignon and Lester Syrah ) along with a new , crisp , Sauvignon Blanc . Therese and Dan do their thing every 3rd weekend of the month . Be sure to check out their calendar of events for their wonderful wine adventures .
Fernwood Cellars offers the refreshing 2011 Chardonnay , along with a fabulous 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon , and don ’ t miss one of my favorites , the 2009 Santa Cruz Mountain Zinfandel .

A Time For Wine

offerings . And there is still plenty of new and exciting offers for you to get in on as well .
I recently had the opportunity to stop in at a few of these wineries to sample the new vintage and here are a few that you might want to look for :
At Solis Winery , they are tasting a delightfully refreshing 2012 Vin Roseo ( pink wine from Sangiovese grapes ), their gold medal-winning 2008 Syrah and 2009 Seducente ( red blend of Sangiovese , Cabernet and Merlot ). Be sure to check out Richard ’ s great barbeque while you ’ re there .
At Aver Family , the Viognier ( called “ Benevolent ”) was quite crisp and tasty , with equally wonderful big reds (“ Family Album ,” a Rhone blend , and “ Blessings ,” an intense Petite Sirah ). John Aver has created an oasis that reeks of family , friends and fun times . His Syrahs and blends are well worth the trip to find the
Open every 1st and 3rd weekend , the wooded setting in the quiet solitude of Redwood Retreat Road is worth your time to find the wonderful wines and hospitality .
Sycamore Creek offers a state-of-the-art modern approach to wine-making with terrific results , in a rustic setting . Be sure to ask Bill Holt about “ phenolic profiling ,” his modern day approach to making better wines “ in the vineyard .”
Sarah ’ s Vineyard is open daily from 12 to 5 and produces some of the best Pinots in the area as well as some very fine Rhone wines . Check out their Grenache wines also .
This is just a sampling of the many , new and wonderful offerings that our local wineries are producing , so give our locals a chance to impress you with their great new products for 2013 . And be sure to check with the wineries , in advance , for tasting times as the can vary each week . See you on the “ wine trail .”
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