Regional Wine Week - South Bay area

October 6-12 is Regional Wine Week, and it seems like a good time to highlight some of what I love so much about the local wineries here in the South Bay area. You may be thinking, "Come on, it's still California, that's not very 'regional.'" Well, I disagree--not that it's California, that's true enough, but it certainly is regional. When I bring up a wine tasting trip with friends, they often think that means driving up to Napa Valley, as if that's the only place worth talking about. Here are a few reasons why wineries in the San Jose vicinity deserve some consideration.

First, they're really close to home! Sure, I can drive 2+ hours to get to Sonoma, Napa, or Paso Robles, but I can drive less than an hour to get great wine from the Santa Cruz Mountains and Santa Clara Valley. There are wineries and tasting rooms in Saratoga, Sunol, San Martin, Los Gatos (among many others) and even downtown San Jose. If you want to get away from it all, there's no shortage of wineries to visit out in the hills at the end of long winding roads where chances are pretty good you won't have mobile service.

Second, there are options for all tastes. You like delicate pinot noir? Try Hallcrest (they have a pinot-only wine club option). Maybe big juicy zinfandels are more up your alley. Satori Cellars has some very nice ones. Perhaps you are interested in something a little different. Check out the pinotage at Loma Prieta or the charbono at Sarah's Vineyard. And let's not forget the whites--the area produces excellent chardonnay, such as those at Cinnabar and Creekview, and MJA has some of the best sauvignon blancs I've ever had.

Third, you don't have to break the bank. It seems like the more well-known a region is, the more they charge for the wine, or even just the tasting experience. There are a ton of South Bay wineries that offer a tasting for $5, which is usually waived with a purchase. And the wines themselves are very reasonable. Some of my local favorites are under $20. I'm also a lot more tempted to join the wine club of a local winery. I can go to pick up my wines in person, so I don't have to pay shipping costs, plus it gives me an excuse to visit on a regular basis.

Fourth, there are some famous names here, and they help lift up the little guys. Ridge is a big winery, no doubt. Their most celebrated vineyard, Monte Bello, is at the top of a hill outside of Cupertino. If you go visit Ridge (and you should, the view is amazing), you have to drive past a couple of smaller ones on the way. Why not stop in for a tasting? Bonny Doon is a well-known name in Santa Cruz. They have a tasting room and restaurant in town that's in the same center as several other wineries. So go check out the famous players, but drop by the small wineries too. They'll be very glad to have you, and you might find a new favorite.

In short, if you live near San Jose, you love wine, you haven't tried any of the local wineries, what are you waiting for? Consider this your engraved invitation.