Find a Designated Driver, It's Wine Passport Weekend in Santa Clara Valley

March 26 and 27 is the Passport Weekend for Santa Clara Valley wineries, which means you can taste hundreds of wines.

A Wine Passport for the Santa Clara Valley wineries costs $30 per person and allows you to taste at two dozen local wineries. Hold onto that Passport. You can use it again at the October Passport Weekend at no extra cost.

What to do here: Taste award-winning wines. Play bocce ball. Enjoy vistas of green rolling hills while talking to winemakers about their wines. Listen to live music at some wineries and barrel taste wines at others. 

Why we like it: The South Bay’s up-and-coming wine region offers some distinctive vintages, many of them gold-medalists with several Best of Class winners from the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. The vibe here is laid-back, without the pretension and expense of Napa Valley wineries, or that long drive.

And even more to like: A Passport is good for both the March wine tasting weekend and the October weekend. Buy your Passport at a winery that you like, as most wineries will give Passport buyers a discount on wines bought that same day.

About the wineries: There are 24 wineries participating and most will be open from 11am to 5pm on Saturday, May 26 and Sunday, May 27, 2011. We’ve listed them by area so you can plot a wine-tasting course. Click the name of a winery to see that winery's website.

GILROY

Fortino Winery  4525 Hecker Pass

Medal winners: Fortino won gold for their 2006 and 2007 Cabernet; silver for their 2007 Charbono, 2005 Sangiovese; bronze for their 2007 Santa Clara Valley Syrah.

Hecker Pass Winery   4605 Hecker Pass

Be sure to try: their California-grown Marsala

Jason-Stephens Winery  11775 Watsonville Road

* Best of Class winner: 2007 Santa Clara Valley Estate Select ($38)

(Note: due to a limited number of bottles, this wine will not be available for tasting.)

Medal winners: Silver medals for 2008 Zinfandel, 2007 Syrah, 2007 Merlot, 2007 Meritage, and 2007 Cab/Syrah, all Santa Clara Valley.

Kirigin Cellars  11550 Watsonville Road

Medal winners: Gold for their 2009 Malvasia Bianca SCV Estate; silver for 2007 Syrah and 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Clara Valley Estate Red, and their “chocolate wine” Vino de Mocca; bronze for 2007 Zinfandel.

Mann Cellars  7475 Crews Road

Be sure to try: Their port and the 2008 Johannisberg Riesling.

Martin Ranch Winery   6675 Redwood Retreat Road

Note: Martin Ranch is a bit of a drive from other wineries but the gorgeous scenery makes the drive worthwhile.

Rapazzini Winery  4350 Monterey Road at Highway 101

Known for: Their selection of unique garlic wines.

Sarah’s Vineyard  4005 Hecker Pass

Medal winners: The 2008 Pinot Noir Estate won gold; 2009 Cote de Madone Blanc and 2008 Cote de Madone both won silver; 2008 Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay won bronze.

Don’t miss: a game of bocce ball while you taste.

Satori Cellars  2100 Buena Vista Avenue

Medal winners: Gold for 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (not officially released yet); silver for 2006 Petite Sirah; bronze for 2007 Petite Sirah, 2007 Harmonic Convergence, 2007 Merlot, and 2007 Cabernet.

Solis Winery  3920 Hecker Pass

* Best of Class winner: 2010 Santa Clara Valley Estate Fiano ($20)

Medal winners: Gold for Fiano and 2008 Muscat, silver for 2006 Sangiovese and 2006 Merlot Estate, and bronze for 2008 Vino Rose di Sangiovese.

Thomas Kruse Winery  3200 Dryden Avenue

Medal winner: Double gold for the 2004 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon.

HOLLISTER

Casa de Fruta  10021 Pacheco Pass

This is the most family-friendly winery, with entertainment for the kids.

MORGAN HILL

Aver Family Vineyards   (will be pouring at Bubbles Wine Bar, 17105 Monterey Street, Morgan Hill)

Medal winners: Silver for 2007 Heritage and 2008 Homage; bronze for 2008 Hope.

Castillo's Hillside Shire   2215 Liberata Drive

* Best of Class winner: 2008 Santa Clara Valley Castillo Estate Cabernet Franc ($19)

Medal winners: Gold for 2008 Petite Syrah; silver for their 2009 port; bronze for 2008 Syrah/Shiraz, 2008 Castillo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2008 Sangiovese.

Be sure to: sit by the lake with a chicken enchilada plate including lots of rice and beans for $10.

Guglielmo Winery  1480 East Main Avenue

Medal winners: Gold for 2007 Petite Sirah Santa Clara Valley Estate; silver for 2007 Merlot; bronze for 2007 Syrah, all Santa Clara Valley.

Monte Verde Vineyards   13775 Sycamore Drive

Medal winners: Silver for the 2006 Syrah; bronze for the 2006 Villa Palma Vineyards Merlot.

Morgan Hill Cellars   1645 Pedro Avenue

Known for: Sparkling wines, fruit wines, and port.

Sycamore Creek Vineyards and Winery  12775 Uvas Road

Medal winners: Silver for their 2007 Syrah and their 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon.

SAN JOSE

J. Lohr Winery 1000 Lenzen Ave

* Best of Class winner: 2008 Paso Robles Petite Syrah ($35)

Medal winners: Double gold for 2007 Cuvee POM, 2007 Cuvee PAU, and 2007 Cuvee STE, all from Paso Robles, plus 11 other medals.

SAN MARTIN

Clos LaChance Winery  1 Hummingbird Lane

Medal winners:  Silver for 2007 Central Coast Meritage Joli, 2007 Santa Cruz Pinot Noir, Mommy Juice, and Wicked Good; bronze for 2007 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon.

Don't miss: the scenery; this winery has the best view in the valley.

Creekview Vineyards  12467 Creekview Court

* Best of Class winner: 2007 Syrah Santa Clara Valley ($36)

Medal winners: Silver for 2008 Santa Clara Valley Zinfandel; bronze for 2008 Old Vine Zinfandel, 2008 Santa Clara Valley Syrah, 2008 Santa Clara Valley Merlot, 2008 Sauvignon Blanc Arroyo Seco, and 2008 Chardonnay Arroyo Seco.

SARATOGA

Cinnabar Winery  14612 Big Basin Way

Medal winners: Gold for 2006 Santa Cruz Cabernet Sauvignon and 2007 Bordeaux Blend Mercury Rising; silver for 2007 Paso Robles Merlot, 2008 Paso Robles Syrah, and 2009 Monterey Chardonnay.

Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyards  22645 Garrod Road

Be sure to try: 2006 Cabernet Franc.

Don't miss: The horseback riding trail. This is the only winery that also offers horseback riding lessons and riding trails.

Where to eat after wine tasting: Many of the wineries offer food, but if you’d like to unwind someplace nearby before driving home, we recommend these local restaurants.

Lizarran. Spanish tapas served in the beautiful, newly renovated Old City Hall building in downtown Gilroy. Lizarran’s patio is a fine place to dine next to a fire if the weather allows.  7400 Monterey Street, Gilroy.

VietAsia. This restaurant may be located in a strip mall but inside you’ll find white linen tablecloths and refined Vietnamese dishes.  1295 East Dunne Avenue, Morgan Hill.

Westside Grill. This local favorite pours wines made by Gilroy vintners. You’ll find great burgers here as well as good fish, steaks, and salads.  8080 Santa Teresa Blvd., Gilroy.

The Santa Clara Valley Wineries Passport Weekend is on Saturday March 26 and Sunday, March 27. Most wineries are open from 11am to 5pm although several will open at 10am. Check winery web sites for opening times.

Event web site: www.santaclarawines.com