about the experience , the ambience that we create .”
While many people think of “ wine country ” as the Napa or Sonoma Valleys , our own South Valley is giving the most notable wine regions a run for their money . As restrictions begin to ease and we can more freely move about , remember – You can enjoy a variety of award-winning wines all within minutes from your door . Many of these family-owned local wineries have been producing wine for several generations . Gene said that visitors to his winery have told him , “ Oh , we went up to wine country last weekend .” To which he replies , “ What wine country ? You ’ re already in wine country .”
While we navigate through the next phase of Shelter-in- Place ( SIP ) keep in mind that days and hours of operation will vary . When planning your south valley wine excursion be sure to call ahead or visit individual winery websites and social media pages . Confirm tasting room hours and protocols due to COVID-19 restrictions . Reservations may be the new norm due to limited capacities mandated by county health officials . You ’ ll find up to date information on wine club membership , special events , and whether curbside pickup or delivery services-are provided .
Perhaps the best way to experience our local
wineries is by purchasing a Wine Trail Pass offered by the Wineries of Santa Clara Valley , a non-profit association of member wineries that produce and grow wine in the valley . The wine trail pass is good all year long for one-time wine tasting at member wineries . Visit their website for more details www . santaclarawines . com / santa-clara-valley . html .
The earliest evidence of wine produced from grapes dates to about 8,000 BCE and the first wine production from around 4100 BCE in Armenia . Slater noted that one of the earliest tasting rooms was recently excavated in the ancient Italian city of Pompeii that was buried by twenty feet of volcanic ash in 79 CE from the eruption of Mt . Vesuvius . The excavation exposed a large open field with , essentially , a food stand and wine dispensary .
Historically , every social class drank wine . As I sit , I ’ m enjoying a glass of 2017 Therese Vineyards Malbec , produced by Therese and Dan Martin of Martin Ranch Winery in Gilroy . The malbec grape originated in France ; it dates back to the Middle Ages and was first brought to the Santa Clara Valley in the 1850s . Today , our thirty-five plus winemakers in the Santa Clara Valley are preserving a ten-thousand-yearsold tradition . Let ’ s raise our glasses to them .
Martin Ranch Winery is a beautiful boutuique winery tucked within the Santa Cruz Mountains .
We are open for tasting 1st & 3rd weekend of every month Fri . Sat . Sun . 12-5 . Also open through the week for curbside pickup Tues . -Fri . 10-3 .
OPEN FOR TASTING & CURBSIDE PICKUP RESERVATIONS
Thérèse and Dan Martin
Take a drive down Redwood Retreat Road to taste award-winning wines while our hosts accomodate your every need . We look forward to seeing you at the winery !
Reservations required - martinranchwinery . com or call : 408-842-9197 # martinranch
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