Santa Clara Valley: A Wine Region with Deep Roots
Long before Silicon Valley rose to fame, the Santa Clara Valley was known for its thriving vineyards and rich winemaking heritage. Today, the region blends historic charm with sustainable innovation, offering wine lovers a unique taste of California’s past and future.
This article was originally published by Discover California Wines. You can read the full piece on their website.
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.
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.
This article was originally published by Discover California Wines. You can read the full piece on their website.