History Scenic Views
Long Before Nikola Kirigin-Chargin purchased the winery from the Bonesio family in 1976 , it was the home of the Solis Winery and Solis Fruit and Wine Company ( not related to the current Solis Winery on Hecker Pass .)
Today , it is a friendly and warm winery with multiple tasting rooms , an event center , athletic fields for soccer and cricket , 1,000 rose bushes and complimentary wine tasting !
Dhrug Khanna , the current owner , is proud of his quality wine , none of which cost more than $ 20 . There is even a 50 % discount on a case .
One of the more unique wines locally is Kirigin ’ s Vino de Mocca .
“ Vino de Mocca is an award-winning dessert wine infused with natural coffee , chocolate and orange flavors , and it ’ s incredibly sensuous and delicious . With its smooth , velvety texture and stunning flavors , it ’ s the perfect sweet wine as an after-dinner drink — or just to imbibe by itself … And beware ! Known as the kissing wine , it ’ s highly addictive !” Santa Cruz Good Times 1 / 18 / 12 . ( kirigincellars . com )
Mann Cellars does not have a tasting room or a wine club . But owner , Michael Mann , does make some tasty wines on his 20-acre plot in east Gilroy . Wines can be ordered through his web site . He is a regular at wine festivals . Mann Cellars somehow bottles the big smile and the warm wave so typical of Michael Mann ! ( manncellars . com )
Martin Ranch , like its neighbor , Fernwood , is out on a dead-end country road . It is only open one weekend a month . This limited offering does not tell the whole story . Martin Ranch , owned and operated by Dan and Thérèse Martin , has a loyal and vibrant wine club . Its events are definitely member-centered .
Martin Ranch wines are varied and excellent . Both Dan and Thérèse are winemakers . Under the Martin Ranch label , Dan claims the J . D . Hurley label while Thérèse owns the Thérèse Vineyards label . Both sub labels have numerous awards .
Martin Ranch is also a foodies ’ delight . On the property , in addition to the vineyards is a garden , the source of many of the scrumptious tastings offered at the ranch . On the Martin Ranch web site , Thérèse has posted almost 200 recipes gathered from everywhere . Each recipe is paired with full instructions , a wine and a song !
The site also has a lake , a bunkhouse boutique and wonderful views of the vineyards . It is a fun place to spend time on the third weekend of the month . ( martinranchwinery . com )
Rapazzini Winery and the Garlic Shoppè are partners . The winery offers a variety of wines while the Shoppe offers food and food related clothing . Brothers Charlie and Alex Larson purchased both businesses from Jon Rapazzini in 2000 and have created a little foodie haven .
One of the more unique offerings at Rapazzini Winery are four variations of garlic wine : two reds one for cooking and one for drinking and two whites one for cooking and one for drinking . ( rapazziniwinery . com )
Tim Slater took over Sarah ’ s
Vineyard in 2001 . While the winery produces a lot of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay , it also produces a variety of other nice wines . Recently an old vine Zin won a Gold at the SF Chronicle
Wine competition . Tim has a bit of the adventurer in him and has planted “ little patches of rare grapes .” Time will tell how they do . He is also is experimenting with Rhone varietals like Claudette Blanc and Piquepoul Blanc . The winery has an active wine club . On pick up Fridays they host a celebration with food , often from the wood burning pizza oven , and a little music . During the summer , Friday nights are music nights with a little acoustic music , wine and good company . The series will start again in May 2014 .
The treble clef sculpture outside points to another of Tim ’ s passions … music ! The tag line for the winery is “ Wine Is Music From The Vineyard .” On a somewhat blustery winter afternoon , wine club members , Drew and Brendy Frampton , friends Pareesa Rad and Sam Lamption , and dogs Roxie and Jack enjoy a picnic lunch outside Sarah ’ s . Drew and Brendy celebrated their marriage with a party at Sarah ’ s almost three years ago . Sarah ’ s is “ Now our place !” They come down from San Jose to enjoy a get-away in a dog friendly place that has good memories and good wine ! ( sarahsvineyard . com )
Fun
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