Why drive all the way to Napa Valley in your new Lexus from Lexus of Stevens Creek to enjoy tasting famous wines when you can take a short drive to the outskirts of San Jose instead? San Jose is surrounded by topography and geology that allows for the cultivation of incredible grapes for winemaking. At Lexus of Stevens Creek, we took a look at the local vineyards and identified the best vineyard getaways that deliver on their promise of a great time, great wines, and a great road trip that offers you the best driving experience in your new Lexus.
J. Lohr
Image by Dale Cruse is licensed with CC BY 2.0
Jerry Lohr left the family farm in South Dakota in the 1960s and took a chance growing vines in the Central Coastal region of California. He selected land with a certain type of soil that was ideal for growing different types of grapes that could be used to produce quality wine. During the 1980s, he discovered that the soil of Paso Robles was perfect for growing varieties of Bordeaux grapes.
He focused his efforts on developing vineyards filled with red grape varieties and built a winery and barreling facilities nearby. All J. Lohr’s red wines come from the Paso Robles vineyards, but it also bottles Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Rosé.
J. Lohr offers guests a tasting experience that includes seasonal and winery-exclusive wines at the Paso Robles location and in San Jose. Reservations are required, and it’s suggested that guests plan for a 60-minute experience. Wine tastings are available Thursday through Monday at Paso Robles and Thursday through Sunday at the J. Lohr San Jose Wine center.
Loma Prieta Winery
Loma Prieta Winery is a boutique winery located in Los Gatos, California, specializing in Pinotage. The winery produces around 3,000 cases of wine each year and was originally founded by Paul and Amy Kemp in 2003. The couple originally produced Pinot Noir but changed course when Paul discovered Pinotage. He proceeded to acquire as many grapes as he could and tore out his Merlot and Cabernet vines. The Pinotage grape is a hybrid developed in the 1930s and is a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault.
The winery produces Pinotage across its 52 acres in Los Gatos while also manufacturing Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Viognier, Merlot, Cabernet, and Petite Sirah. It’s currently owned by Chris Arriaga and his daughter Samantha. The tasting room is open Saturday and Sunday afternoons year-round. It’s also open on other days, depending on the season.
When you visit the winery, you’ll be greeted by the sight of Loma Prieta to the southeast and a view of the Monterey Peninsula. There’s also a regulation bocce court available for guests to try their hand at the game. It’s a wonderful place to experience beautiful views and a type of wine that changes the Pinot Noir game.
La Rusticana d’Orsa
Drive up to the gates of La Rusticana d’Orsa and you’ll swear you’ve been transported to Italy, not the Santa Cruz Mountains. The vineyard and winery are owned by Frank and Marilyn Dorsa, a couple who have dedicated their lives to creating an Italian villa and a vineyard and winery that produces five grape varieties, including Merlot, Cabernet, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. These grapes are blended to create an award-winning red table wine.
The vineyard holds different wine tasting events throughout the year, including an annual release party of the latest vintage of its signature wine. Each event has its own theme, such as painting while drinking wine, and is held on the winery’s beautiful grounds. Guests can walk around the property to experience the beautiful gardens and view the vineyards as they sip the signature wine.
Big Dog Vineyards
Big Dog Vineyards are a relative newcomer to the area and the only winery located north of San Jose in the Milpitas Hills. The vineyard itself was established in 1997, while the wine and tasting room opened in 2009. It’s a boutique winery that focuses on small-batch wines pressed by hand.
The vineyard produces red and white wines, including a Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine that uses only Chardonnay grapes and the traditional French méthode champenoise. Other wines include Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Zinfandel. The vineyard also offers a selection of dessert wines.
Even though the winery produces a large range of wines, it only puts out around 100 cases of each vintage. Guests can make a tasting reservation to try out menus that include a classic mix of red and white wines, all whites or all reds. Events with live music are held most weekends, and a weekly event known as Sunset Fridays is held so guests can watch the sunset while tasting the wines on offer.
Alamitos Vineyards
Alamitos Vineyards is located in the lower reaches of the mountains in San Jose and is a relatively new winery. One of the principals of the winery was inspired to get into the business by his grandfather’s career as a vintner in Portugal. The vineyards are operated by individuals who have a passion for making wine while applying the latest scientific agricultural techniques to the vines. This yields grapes that embody the passion of the growers and the latest in science to enhance the taste of the wine.
Alamitos Vineyards is a boutique winery that creates small batches of wine that include Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, Rosé, Touriga, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The winery focuses on grape varieties that grow well in the local soil and can tolerate the microclimate.
We feature a large inventory of brand-new Lexus vehicles at Lexus Stevens Creek for your consideration. You can check out our selection of new vehicles and our inventory of used cars online. Get in touch with us today to learn how we can help you procure your next Lexus and enjoy the pleasure of a luxury vehicle as you drive around the local vineyards.
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