Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyard /Saratoga/CA

The historic tasting room, The 1922 " fruit house"

     Cooper-Garrod is a family owned and operated winery and 28-acre organic vineyard. The Garrod family began its involvement with CA agriculture and open space in 1893.Winemaker Bill Cooper refined his craft and learned from his father and fellow vintners in the Sata Cluz mountains, Napa, Burgundy and Bordeaux. The first public release was celebrated in 1994...by www.cgv.com

The Garrod Farms

Do not be surprised , many friendly horses are walking by .....

old Farms Pics

on the deck .. www.cgv.com

  The Cabernet Franc is my favorite, aged in French oak barrels, is soft and luscious. rich raspberry notes ...

inside the tasting room

Garrod Farms Riding Stables, offers horseback riding on trails with panoramic views of Silicon valley

I love this wooden house ~the "office " of  Carrod Farms

The OFFICE !

 I met new " friends"


I am so happy that I have chance to play with these beautiful horses. At Cooper -Garrod winery, you can enjoy an hour horseback ride through vineyard and Mid Peninsula open space preserves with spectaular views +  a glass of wine ...

www.garrodfarms.com

I am coming back for horseback riding

  


   The Viognier is a special white wine , presents flavors of honey, pear, and nectarine...

 

is he beautiful..?

Picchetti Winery/Cupertino/CA

    " Located on a historic ranch a short drive from the Silicon Valley, Picchetti Winery is one of the oldest wineries in California. The tutelage of proprietor Leslie Pantling and Winemaker Aimee Baker create a variety of award winning wines from various regions."  by www.picchetti.com

since 1896

The tasting room

historic house

a glass of wine +  live music

The Picchetti Winery’s approach to winemaking honors over 100 years of family tradition and viticulture history

The Stevens canyon road  ~~

              This is my second time visit this place, first time I came here with Chris , we were looking for a mountain biking trail...That was hilarious :-) 
      



not sure if this is the " mistry " trail we were looking for but I found the hiking trail at this time visiting , its call
Picchetti Ranch Open Space Preserve!

www.bahiker.com/southbayhikes/picchetti.html

The trail is hiding behind the tasting room exit, you will see the sign points out the " stevens canyon road"  

 The great thing to visit this winery is you can hike then wine tasting after.. :-) The historic winery complex, located next to the parking lot, features an attractive house and ranch buildings, picnic tables, and a collection of peacocks.....

   The winery offers a variety list of wines from different regions, specially Zinfanel, Cabernet Savignon and Chardonnay are from santa cluz mountain, MUST try !! 

   one fortified wines called " MISSION ANGELICA" is a recognized CA " heritage crop", the Mission grape was the first cultivated by the Franciscan padres in the 18th century, and recent DNA analysis has linked it to the very rare Spanish varietal" Listan Prieto"This vintage wine is high in sugar and has an alcohol content of 17.3%~~ by www.picchetti.com 
   I got one bottle  to share......served chilled over ice with a twist of lemon, Delizisos !!!!! :-)

Stevens Greek Reservoir

Bear Meadow Trail

Manu & Pei

Burrell School Vineyards/Los Gatos/ CA

               

 ~School was never this much fun ~

Ivette & Pei

  

still winter..

            "Burrell School's origins date back to 1854 when Lyman J. Burrell settled the rough wilderness that is now home to our winery and Estate vines. Carrying on the more than 130 year old tradition at the School, David and Anne Moulton began development of the Estate vineyard in 1973"  by www.burrellschool.com

Different wines have different names related to school :-)

The Detention!!

                                                                    

 

our lunch

         

 

Mmmmm.....Am I at school or wine tasting ??!

 

      I invited Ivette to go wine tasting for her birthday, We chose this winery as we were curious that it located at the historic Burrell school house . it is hilarious that all list of wines related to school, we picked up the " Detention" ( Zinfandel) for our punishment...lunch with a glass of " Detention" and cheese plate ...:-D

various wines

MJA Vineyards/ Los Gatos/ CA

Specializing in Cabernet Sauvignon and Santa Cruz mountains Pinot Noir with a "ALOHA Spirit"

this is a interesting tasting room like park ranger house at the forest

Marin John Artukovich owned 2 tasting rooms. one is by the sea in Santa Cluz. The one we visit it located at summit road in Los Gatos.
The winery also sells 100% pure "Hawaii Kona Coffee" which has been voted " best coffee in American" by Forbes Magazine.

www.mjavineyards.com

with the French Lady .. the direct customer service

                                                  

      On the way back home from Summit forest, we discover this family owned winery called MJA. We are impressed by the little wooden house surrounding by big trees ,but there is no vineyards :-) the French Lady told us that we can hike 2 hours up to the mountain and enjoy the ocean view with the vineyards.( mmmm... perhaps next time when we were not "tipsy" :-D) she was very cheerful and pulled tones of wine to us then started to tell her story with her strong French accent. We had a great conversation also enjoyed her friendly service, she even took us to see the coffee roast machine and tasted few samples of coffee bean chocolate. Kristan bought one bag of delicious chocolate and one bottle of Sauvignon Blanc .

 It was so much fun talking to her and visitors ...:))

 ~Mahalo

I like the inside decoration , the fire place and the Hawaii girl painting...feel cozy!

Loma Prieta Winery/Los Gatos/CA

The Artist Martin LaBorde created the wine label ^^

www.lomaprietawinery.com

Owners Amy and Paul Kemp fell in love this beautiful place in the shadow of Loma Prieta

At Great picnic area to view of the beautiful Santa Cluz Mountain , from Summit to the sea

Refresh! after wine tasting then taking a walk around the vineyard, enjoy the view of nature...away from city

"Mo"

     

     Kristan and I took a adventure trip to visit this winery, you may recognize the Loma Prieta from the famous earthquake of 1989. we went all the way summit road to this paradise... the winery is very closed to the summit forest which I went for mountain biking few times during pass years, how familiar I know the road by heart and it brings back all great memory of the good time ......"the mountain biking at summit forest with someone special" :-) !

 


 He is pulling our favorite Pinotage from decanter to visitors... the winery also invite guests for free food , bread, salami ,cheese, chocolate ...  drinking Cabernet with a piece of chocolate + the awesome view.... what a life!!!!

I am thinking...

Pinotage

   I totally recommend this Unique winery,  Kristan and I feel warm and welcome, it is not only the fantastic view but also We like their wines... except the Pinotage, we like the

2009 Viognier - Gold Medal Winner... 

I bought one bottle for my dear roommates SWEET !!!

We had such a great time... Thank You Kristan for the lovely photos and being my company , Love ya...

Byington Vineyard Winery/Los Gatos/ CA

The Byington family 's winery Chateau

In from of the tasting room...The Byington family tunneled a 300 foot wine cave behind the winery for barrel storage of the red wines/French Oak aging...

 "Private tours and tastings are $15.00 per person. with a glass in hand, you will learn the history of Byington Winery and the Santa Cruz Mountains.  You will also tour our production facility and our wine cave..." by www.byington.com

    I went up winding bear greek road to the winery, it took me 30 mins, but it is worth to visit this beautiful vineyard,  great view and picnic area.. there was a wedding event going on in that evening...huge crowd !

The winery grows The Santa Cluz Mountain Pinot Nior . I bought one bottle to share with my friends.... light and smooth in the end to finish...