Friday Five

Driving up to Napa for a boozy weekend trip is usually one of the my summer highlights, but the idea of staying over at a place outside of my own apartment is still not sitting right with me. Fortunately, we have local wineries even closer to home in the South Bay just now reopening for tastings. With both Santa Cruz and Santa Clara counties loosening restrictions on wineries, we can support these small businesses that are working hard to put safety protocols in place, with tables far apart and all outside and customers required to be masked when not sipping.

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Here are five of our favorite wineries that are now open for tastings in South Bay.

1. House Family Vineyards, Saratoga

Tucked in the hills of Saratoga, this family-owned winery recently reopened to the public. Enjoy the panoramic views of the Santa Cruz Mountains and Silicon Valley from the hilltop tasting deck with a bottle or two of the vineyard’s award-winning wines. The House family grows their grapes on their 73-acre property — visitors will get a chance to walk through the estate’s Old Oak Vineyard while making their way up to the tasting room. This local favorite is now taking reservations for groups of six or fewer from the same household.

2. Vidovich Vineyards, Cupertino

With four generations of the Vidovich family having worked in agriculture — back when the peninsula was still mostly fruit orchards — it’s no surprise that this family-owned boutique winery produces some of the best bottles of cabernet sauvignon in the area. Founder Steve Vidovich first planted the estate vineyard in the Montebello wine region in 1996 and opened a tasting room for guests to sip the estate’s signature cabs in 2017. The outdoor patio, which boasts beautiful valley views, is now taking reservations here.

3. Loma Prieta Winery, Los Gatos

Come for the elevated mountaintop views at 2,600 feet. Stay to taste pinot’s fancy South African cousin, pinotage. The views at Loma Prieta Winery are breathtaking — the Santa Cruz Mountains set against the crashing waves of the coastline. What makes this winery so unique, however, is that it has become the largest North American producer of pinotage, a hybrid pinot noir grape developed in South Africa. The owner, attorney Paul Kemp, had been so taken with the pinotage that he had scrapped his entire vineyard of the usual merlots and cabernets and now grows only this grape. And if for nothing else, a glass of pinotage is guaranteed to make you sound like you know a ton more about wine than you actually do. Call 405-353-2890 to get more information, or visit the website.

4.Cooper-Garrod Vineyards, Saratoga

For those looking for a low-key, no-frills wine tasting experience, Cooper-Garrod’s the one for you. This rustic, family-owned and -operated winery shares its space with Garrod Farms’ stables, so expect saloon vibes and horses. While all the estate-grown wines are delicious, the cabernet franc is not to be missed. Pro tip: A visit to this winery is best paired with a pregame hike at neighboring Fremont Older Open Space Preserve, one of our favorite hikes in South Bay. The winery is now taking reservations for its sit-down wine and meal service on Sundays — reserve here.

5. Clos La Chance, San Martin

While Clos La Chance is a bit of a longer trek—30 minutes south of San Jose—the gorgeous estate makes for a romantic date. And yes, I’m talking to you, quarantined couples just barely tolerating one other — you need this. A walk through the estate’s flower-studded wine gardens with a glass of the estate’s rosé will have you feeling like you’re on a Bachelor-worthy date. You just might even remember that you actually like spending time together! Jokes aside, this stunning property is worth a visit, with or without a significant other. Make a reservation to visit here.

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