Types of Wines: Whites and reds, including some estate wines
Charge for Tasting: Charge for tasting and for the tour is much more reasonable than wineries in Napa
Winery Tours: Tours are given on weekends only and include a chance to taste wines directly from the barrel. They're especially fun during harvest time.
Wine Price: Their Hummingbird series of wines is reasonably priced for the quality, with estate wines and meritage (rhymes with heritage) blends more expensive.
Clos LaChance's visitor center opened in 2002. It's a pretty property, with well-kept lawns and gardens overlooking the vineyards and with views of the surrounding hillsides.
Review
Clos LaChance is a fine winery, with great wines and a fun tour. Its surroundings are some of the prettiest in California, much nicer than many of the Napa Valley wineries and for those who live south of San Francisco, it's also much easier to get to.Besides the tours and wine tasting, Clos LaChance has a lovely picnic area where you're welcome to bring your own goodies to enjoy with a bottle of their wine. If you would rather have someone else provide the picnic stuff, call (408) 686-1050, ext 113 at least 24 hours in advance to order a picnic basket.
Also with the purchase of a bottle of wine from the shop, you can enjoy a game of bocce ball. Bring your own equipment or borrow theirs.
The winery also hosts summer Thursday evening concerts and other special events.
Wine Quality: Excellent. Their wines also score well in wine publications.
Tourist Experience: The weekend tours are personable and fun, and you'll get a chance to taste wines directly from the barrel.
Getting to Clos LaChance Winery
Clos LaChance Winery
1 Hummingbird Lane
San Martin, CA
408-686-1050
Website
Clos LaChance Winery is located 20 miles south of the intersection of US 101 and Highway 85 in San Jose. Take 101 south to Tennant Avenue, go west to Sunnyside Ave., then turn left onto Watsonville Road and left onto Hummingbird Lane.
