The Santa Clara Valley may be best known as the heart of Silicon Valley, but long before tech took center stage, this region was celebrated for its vineyards. In fact, the first commercial wine grapes in California were planted here, and at one time, the Santa Clara Valley produced more grapes than anywhere else in the state. Though urban growth shifted the spotlight, the Santa Clara Valley wine scene is having a quiet resurgence.
Tucked between the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Diablo Range, just south of San Francisco, the region still grows beautiful fruit and produces expressive, site-driven wines. From boutique, family-run wineries to historic vineyards with deep roots, the Santa Clara Valley is a must-discover destination for wine lovers.
Discover California Wines is an initiative by Wine Institute, an association of more than 1,000 California wineries and wine-related businesses. You can trust that we are knowledgeable when discussing California wine, including Santa Clara County.
In this article, we’ll show you why Santa Clara Valley belongs on your radar — and in your glass.
Photo courtesy of Wineries of Santa Clara Valley Association
A Storied Past Predating Silicon Valley
Santa Clara Valley’s wine legacy dates back to the Spanish missions of the late 18th century and flourished during the 19th century. By the 1850s, the valley boasted more vineyards than any other region in California, and it quickly became a hub for winemaking. Legendary producers like Paul Masson Winery and Almaden Vineyards were once household names rooted in this valley.
Today, thanks to passionate vintners and favorable climate conditions, Santa Clara Valley is carving out a new chapter in California wine history.
Santa Clara Valley Wine Region Overview
The Santa Clara Valley AVA stretches north to south through Santa Clara County, flanked by mountain ranges that protect its inland position and create an ideal grape-growing environment.
The AVA also dips into small parts of Alameda and San Benito Counties, though the heart of production remains in Santa Clara itself, especially near Gilroy, Morgan Hill and San Martin.
While it’s surrounded by AVAs like the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Central Coast, Santa Clara Valley holds its own. Vineyards here benefit from warm days and cooling coastal breezes, yielding ripe, flavorful grapes.
Today, the region is home to more than 59 wineries and is entirely nested within the larger Central Coast and San Francisco Bay AVAs — though most wineries proudly label their wines with the “Santa Clara Valley” designation to reflect their sense of place.
Photo courtesy of Svein Lindin
Sustainability: Building Stronger Communities
Santa Clara Valley wineries are deeply rooted in their communities — not just through wine, but through conscious, sustainable business practices. Across the region, vintners actively work to reduce environmental impact while also supporting the people who live and work around them.
Local wineries and growers are vital community partners, supporting various causes while being good neighbors. They mitigate the impacts of noise and traffic on residential areas and contribute to local well-being. Wineries host events and donate funds to support education, offering scholarships and hands-on training. They raise money for health care through charity functions and contribute to animal welfare by helping shelters and rescue organizations. Their deep connection to the land also makes them leaders in environmental conservation, where they implement sustainable practices to protect local ecosystems.
Santa Clara Valley also contributes to California’s economic vitality through wine tourism, which creates jobs and drives local revenue. Here, sustainability means preserving the land for future generations, treating people well and fostering vibrant communities.
Santa Clara Valley Wineries to Visit During Your Next Trip
Next time you are in the area, book a tasting at a few local wineries like these: Cinnabar Winery Founded over 40 years ago, this family-owned estate crafts limited-production wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Syrah, most of which are available only in its tasting room. The relaxed, countryside setting makes it ideal for sipping outdoors throughout the year. Cinnabar hosts events like vineyard tours, grape stomps and blending parties.
Deauratus Wines Founded by longtime Ridge Vineyards veterans Eric Baugher and Shun Ishikubo, Deauratus is a new chapter in the Santa Clara Valley’s winemaking story. The Latin-inspired name means “golden,” a fitting nod to their pursuit of excellence. After decades crafting acclaimed wines at Ridge Monte Bello, the duo produces small-lot wines that reflect precision and artistry.
Emilio Guglielmo Winery Family, tradition and Italian hospitality are at the heart of Emilio Guglielmo Winery in Morgan Hill. Founded in 1925, this fourth-generation, family-run winery blends old-world techniques with California innovation.
Photo courtesy of Wineries of Santa Clara Valley Association
Lightpost Winery Big Oak Ranch in Morgan Hill is home to Lightpost Winery, where innovation meets artistry. Winemakers Christian Roguenant and Sofia Fedotova craft Rhône- and Bordeaux-style blends from the Central Coast’s top vineyards, producing expressive, award-winning wines.
Solis Winery At Solis Winery in Gilroy, the Vanni family continues a century-long winemaking tradition that celebrates land and community. Winemaker Michael Vanni and his wife Julie welcome guests to sip award-winning wines, from Sangiovese and Syrah to unique Italian varietals, on a terrace overlooking the Gabilan Range.
In California, we pride ourselves on really great Mexican food. Earthy black beans and spicy jalapeños meet the delightful pop of freshly-blanched sweet corn and creamy avocado, all tossed with plenty of lime juice to keep things fresh. This is delicious piled on top of a crisp tortilla chip but honestly, also makes an excellent salad that could go with grilled chicken or steak and of course a chilled glass of California rosé or California Chardonnay.
Ingredients
2 small ears (433 g) sweet corn, shucked
1 (15-ounce/439 g) can black beans, drained and rinsed
½ large white onion (140g), diced
½ cup (42 g) chopped cilantro
2 medium jalapeños (67g) chopped, seeds and stems removed if you’d like it less spicy
1 cup (183g) cherry tomatoes, quartered
2 medium avocados (430g), peeled, pitted and diced
2 limes (184 g)
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
Directions
Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add ears of corn and cook 2-3 minutes or until tender but still retains some bite. While corn is cooking, fill a large bowl halfway with ice water. Plunge the corn into the ice water to stop the cooking. Once cool, lay the cobs horizontally on a cutting board and slice the kernels off the cobs. Place corn in a large mixing bowl.
Add beans, onion, cilantro, jalapeños, tomatoes and avocado. Squeeze the juice from 1 lime over everything and add the 1 ½ teaspoons of salt. Stir gently, being careful not to break up or mash the avocado too much.
Taste the salsa and add more lime juice from the other lime if needed and more salt too if necessary.
Serve with tortilla chips or on a tostada or as a salad. If not serving right away, press a piece of plastic wrap directly over the surface of the salsa, then another piece over the top of the bowl. Refrigerate for up to 2 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Santa Clara Valley wine region located? The Santa Clara Valley wine region is located south of San Francisco in Santa Clara County. It runs between the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Diablo Range, encompassing towns like Gilroy, Morgan Hill and San Martin. It’s part of the larger Central Coast and San Francisco Bay AVAs.
What types of wines is Santa Clara Valley known for? Santa Clara Valley produces a wide range of wines, with standout varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Zinfandel and Syrah. The region’s warm days and coastal breezes allow for ripe, expressive wines across both red and white varietals.
How many wineries are in the Santa Clara Valley? There are currently around 59 wineries operating in the Santa Clara Valley. These range from small family-run estates to larger wineries that offer tastings, events and vineyard tours.
What makes the Santa Clara Valley AVA unique? The Santa Clara Valley AVA has a long winemaking history — once the leading grape-growing region in California. Today, it combines that heritage with a revival of boutique, sustainable wineries. The AVA is completely surrounded by larger designations like the Central Coast and San Francisco Bay, but wineries here proudly use the Santa Clara Valley name to reflect their distinct terroir.
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