Explore the wines of Los Gatos, California
Just southwest of San Jose, the affluent town of Los Gatos feels like Main Street, U.S.A., even as Silicon Valley continues to grow around it. Queen Anne-style buildings dot the downtown stretch, standing alongside such local treasures as the art-deco Los Gatos Theatre. Meanwhile, the three-star Michelin restaurant Manresa helped put the town on the map as a food destination; its chef David Kinch recently opened a bakery (Manresa Bakery) and a casual New Orleans-themed restaurant, named the Bywater.
It’s all about living the good life in Los Gatos, a place where Americana charm greets luxury.
That character extends to the local wine scene, too. A quick drive from San Francisco, Los Gatos and its surroundings are a great place to go wine tasting. Where else in California can you visit a winery operating in a 19th-century red schoolhouse? Or explore an old stone facility where a Jesuit order made wine for nearly 100 years? Here, tasting rooms sprawl from the downtown to hidden mountain roads, featuring large brands alongside mom-and-pop establishments. While no one grape or style unites the area, you’ll find everything from collectible Pinot Noirs to unusual varieties like Pinotage. —Bryce Wiatrak
Overview
Byington: On the scenic, winding Bear Creek Road, Byington’s castle-like winery has its own hiking trail, lots of space for picnics and live music on Sunday afternoons. In 2017, Byington also opened a satellite tasting room in downtown Los Altos.
Testarossa: This Bay Area mainstay got its start in 1888 as a Jesuit-operated Novitiate winery. Today, in addition to the historic Los Gatos property, Testarossa operates a second tasting room in Carmel Valley.
Left Bend: Left Bend offers distinctive wines of place, with a smattering of top sites throughout the appellation. They make excellent renditions of all of the region’s prime varieties — Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay — but winemaker Gary Robinson doesn’t shy away from innovation. He crafts a wine called Mashup, blending portions of different vintages in a solera style.
Burrell School: The charming Burrell School winery isn’t the only Gold Rush-era schoolhouse in California Wine Country. Next time you’re passing through the Sonoma Coast, check out the Watson School, an 1855 structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Unlike Burrell, however, Watson doesn’t make any wine. Left Bend: A visit to Left Bend, founded by two friends with a passion for wine and cycling, is a perfect stop after lunch or some shopping. Explore the winery’s classic renditions of Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Loma Prieta: Loma Prieta prides itself on being the largest producer of Pinotage in North America. In fact, it’s one of the only Pinotage producers in North America. Discover this unusual variety, famous in South Africa, a genetic crossing of Pinot Noir and Cinsault.