Santa Clara Valley Wine Region

The acclaimed sub-region of Santa Clara Valley has an array of wines known throughout the world for their prestige and distinction. As you embark on your travels through the wine region of California, we hope you will experience these superb wines. Also known as the Silicon Valley, this region is globally renowned for being home to some of the world's best technological businesses in internet, computing and renewable energy industries. Additionally, it houses some of California's finest wineries.

Native Americans had a deep reverence and admiration for the land they inhabited, referring to it as the "Valley of the Heart's Delight" because of its exquisitely rich soil and Mediterranean-like weather.

Travel back in time and experience a more peaceful era by visiting our historical wineries. When you get to our Tasting Rooms, you just might be served by the actual winemaker! This will let you break free from the hustle and bustle of modern technology.

We hope you will experience the superb wines that make Santa Clara Valley a favorite for wine drinkers worldwide. Look through our site to discover what Wineries in Santa Clara Valley have to offer to prepare for your winery visits today.

Find out more about Wine Tasting and Tours in Santa Clara Valley

Where is the Santa Clara Valley Wine Region?

Santa Clara Valley AVA is a wine-producing region located in the middle of Santa Clara County, California. It stretches in a north-south direction, with the Santa Cruz Mountains to its west and San Felipe and Diablo Hills towards the east. It’s a sub-region of the California wine region.

Unique Terroir of Santa Clara Valley  appellation

The Santa Clara Valley has been around for millions of years and was formed during the Cenozoic Era, when the Earth's tectonic plates shifted and rearranged, eventually forming the seven continents we now know. The shifting of the Pacific Plate against and beneath the North American Plate caused the emergence of various mountain ranges in California, including the Santa Cruz Mountains in the west and the Diablo Range located towards the east of Santa Clara Valley. Geologically speaking, the mountains are mainly composed of sedimentary material, which is created from ancient sea floors.

Key soil type of the Santa Clara Valley terroir is alluvial soils. These soils are created by water erosion from the top of these hills. Areas surrounding the bay boast deep, rich soils due to sediment soils when it had a larger surface area. This soil is of the highest quality and provides plenty of nutrients for grape vines. AVA's wine grapes are usually grown on the hillsides near the valley floor, in deeper and better draining soil.

The Santa Clare Valley AVA experiences a mostly dry and Mediterranean climate, with little variation over time, partly due to the presence of the Santa Cruz Mountains which create a buffer that prevents direct Pacific breezes from entering. Meanwhile, San Francisco Bay moderates temperatures to an extent. The southern part of the valley generally has a warmer climate and little water accumulation, shielding it from the cold winds and fog that can be commonly found in San Francisco and beyond.

History of Santa Clara Valley wine region

As far back as the 1700s, winemaking and grape farming have had a long-standing tradition in Santa Clara Valley. The history of viticulture in California dates back to the 18th century with the discovery of wild grapes called 'Vitis Californica'. Subsequently, Mission grapes were planted at the Santa Clara Mission. Since then, California has experienced tremendous highs and lows which includes a period of phylloxera infestation and prohibition. Later on with the dawn of the technology giants in Silicon Valley, agricultural lands were replaced by tech parks, housing and commercial complexes. Despite the challenges, winemakers from Santa Clara Valley are determined to restore their reputation and reclaim their rightful place on California's wine map. 

The wine-producing region of Santa Clara Valley saw great progress in 1989 when the American Viticultural Area (AVA) was formed. Now the Santa Clara Valley wine region has managed to keep its unique cultural identity as one of America's most enriched regions when it comes to wine production.

What is Santa Clare Valley Wine?

Santa Clara Valley AVA has established itself as a premier producer of wine grapes, with more than two dozen wineries in the area. These wineries include both well-established family businesses and newer establishments that are just getting started.

The warm, sunny climate of the Santa Clara Valley AVA makes it an excellent growing spot for powerful red wines. Cabernet Sauvignon is the most dominant variety here along with other varieties such as Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Zinfandel, Syrah and some Petite Sirah which can be just as good as those grown elsewhere in California. Chardonnay is a key white wine grape variety that is often produced in the Santa Clara Valley area. It has become an iconic representation of this region, due to its distinct flavor and style.

Food to Pair with Santa Clare Valley wine

1. Pastrami Burger

Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with the delicious Pastrami burger paired with Zinfandel of Santa Clara Valley. It consists of a toasted sesame seed bun filled with a juicy beef patty, layered with pastrami, cheese, tomatoes, shredded lettuce and onions. To add more zing, it is topped with a tasty fry sauce that is made from ketchup, mayonnaise, sweet relish and onion powder.

2. Santa Maria-Style Barbecue

The traditional BBQ feast from Santa Maria Valley, California includes grilled beef served with accompaniments like beans, garlic bread, salad, macaroni salad and chunky salsa. All of this together makes for a completely indulgent experience. This lavish, sumptuous meal is often cooked for a large gathering of people during special occasions such as family reunions, church meals, and charity events.

Grilling beef is a vital component of this dish - Tri-tip or sirloin steaks are coated with an amalgamation of salt, pepper, and garlic powder before they are cooked with red oak. Enjoy the meat served with some delicious pink pinquito beans, tomato salsa, a side of garlic bread, and a fresh salad with your choice of dressing like vinaigrette, French, or Blue Cheese. With every bite, you will savor the juices running down to make it even more delightful.

3. L.A. Galbi

Korean Galbi can be prepared in many different ways, and this particular version uses a different cut of beef ribs. Unlike the traditional preparation which involves slicing along the bones (the English cut), L.A. galbi calls for the ribs to be cut across the bones into thin strips.

These ribs can be grilled to perfection by marinating them beforehand in a mixture of soy sauce, onions, and Asian pears. This will add flavor and texture to the ribs when grilling over charcoal. L.A.Galbi makes a great pair with robust red wines of Santa Clara Valley AVA.

Places to visit in Santa Clara Valley

1. Municipal Rose Garden

The San Jose Municipal Rose Garden has been around since 1927, offering visitors the opportunity to enjoy gorgeous roses spread across 3,500 shrubs and 189 varieties! Located in the city's Rose Garden District, it is one of California's few exclusively dedicated rose gardens. The St. Joseph Municipal Rose Garden won the title of ‘America's Best Rose Garden’ and was the winner of the first-ever nationwide contest. It is a great place to hang out with family and enjoy time together, have a picnic, etc.

2. Anderson Lake

Anderson Lake, which is also commonly referred to as Anderson Reservoir, is an artificial lake situated in the southern part of Santa Clara County's Morgan Hill. It was created by damming Coyote Creek just below where it meets Las Animas Creek. This 4,275-acre county park has an abundance of activities for the visitors, such as fishing, picnicking, and hiking. Boating, water-skiing, and jet-skiing are all allowed in the reservoir while swimming is not permitted.

3. Alum Rock Park

Alum Rock Park is a remarkable landmark in San Jose, California. It's considered to be the oldest municipal park in the state and has been open as public land since 1777 when it was initially established as a pueblo. Penitencia Creek Park, situated in the Diablo Range near San Jose, was not established until 1872. It spans a total of 720 acres and provides a variety of hiking trails; from straightforward trails along the creek to more challenging switchback paths and two peak trails on both sides. The valley floor offers a great range of attractions for visitors, including a visitor center, a museum/animal rehab facility, picnic spots, play areas, and sand volleyball courts. It's also home to mineral springs and beautiful foliage in the woods. The creek provides plenty of fun activities and you can even do some group camping.

Frequently Asked Questions