Morgan Hill Today 2014 03 Spring | Page 26

Local Wineries … wine and a whole lot more !

Castillo Hillside Shire

Creekview

EmmaLily

By Larry J . Mickartz
DID YOU KNOW THAT IN THE GILROY ( 17 ), MORGAN HILL ( 9 ), SAN MARTIN ( 6 ) AREA , THERE ARE SOME 32 BONDED WINERIES , ACCORDING TO SANTA CLARA COUNTY RECORDS ? THEY RANGE FROM THE VERY SMALL , PRIVATE , BOUTIQUE TYPE WINERIES ; TO THE MEDIUM-SIZED WINERIES WITH WINE CLUBS AND TASTING ROOMS ; TO THE RATHER LARGE WINERIES THAT FEATURE EVENTS AND ENTERTAINMENT AS WELL AS HOST WEDDINGS .

Many local wineries are family owned and operated and have great extended families in their wine clubs . They are welcoming and the source of some great wines . Local wineries recently garnered 70 awards at the 2014 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition . The list of winners is available on the Morgan Hill Today website .

Recently , we were talking with some friends . Someone said , “ You know we are really lucky to live in this area .” Then everyone joined in with things to do … wine tasting was high on the list . As I sit back and try to characterize Morgan Hill and San Martin wineries , I am at a bit of a loss . I think I see two characteristics . One , they all like wine and enjoy the process . Secondly , they are all different . Aside from a common love of wine and wine making , they do not have a mold . They are diverse ! Gugielmo has a flair for history and tradition . Clos LaChance is elegant . Morgan Hill Cellars and Sycamore Creek have a great history and are on a new road today . Many like EmmaLilly , Hill Road , and Paradise Valley are small , making some great wines and having a great time doing it . Lightheart , Creekview , Ross and Castillo have a refreshing family vibe .
You know … we are really lucky to live in this area !”
Castillo ’ s Hillside Shire Winery has a great story , a spectacular setting and some exceptional wines . Start with the story . Jess and Roni Jo sought to celebrate the success of their construction business by building a large house in the foothills of Morgan Hill . The only way to do this was to grow something . Grape vines it was . Son , Nate , became fascinated with the possibilities of wine production and jumped in . He is now a second level sommelier . Daughter , Vivienne , is a painter and singer / songwriter . Her art is on display and she is a regular entertainer at the winery . Mom , Roni Jo , who has opera training , sometimes joins Vivienne .
The property is situated at the end of Main Street . The location is spectacular . The home is a mansion and offers a proud welcome to the “ hobbit house ” tasting room . The side “ hobbit house ” was originally designed to accommodate Nate ’ s massage therapy and Roni Jo ’ s aromatherapy work . Today , it is a comfortable home to wine tasting and sales , as well as an art studio for Vivienne . The inviting grounds beg for a relaxing wine tasting experience .
Nate demonstrates an affinity for wine and the winemaking process that is rare . He makes complicated simple . He offers wine appreciation classes on Sunday nights . He has produced some wonderful wine and has plans for many more . Castillo wines have won numerous awards at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition . Nate talks about how the winery has given the family a stage . Vivienne ,
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