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California is often referred to as wine country because of its abundance of vineyards and wine tasting destinations. Check out a few of the best wine spots in the San Jose, California, area. Divine Wineries Divine Wineries is conveniently located in downtown San Jose and serves some of the highest-rated handcrafted wines in the entire area. None of their unique wines are available for purchase in local stores and can only be tasted at this winery. They source their wines from the Sierra Foothills, the Santa Clara Valley, and even the Alexander Valley. Reservations are not required and they are open Wednesday through Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m., Friday through Saturday from 12 to 10 p.m., and on Sunday from 12 to 6 p.m. more This winery is within walking distance of nearby hotels, making it a great choice for a full day of wine tasting. Locals can also join the Divine Wineries wine club for just $35 per month. This membership includes up to three free bottles of wine each month and special discounts on wine accessories and unlimited happy hour events. Vino Vino Vino Vino is also a wine tasting destination in downtown San Jose that has 13 different fine wines available. They also serve small plates to pair with your wine tasting. Want to bring along a guest that does not enjoy wine? Vino Vino also serves local craft beers. This winery has a simple goal: to provide locals with a no-frills spot to taste local wines, share good food, and get to know their neighbors. This sports bar environment is perfect for a casual wine tasting experience, and you can easily reserve a table online. J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines The history of J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines is not only interesting but is also an important part of the California wine industry. The founder, Jerry Lohr, spent many years attempting to find the right spot for his vineyard. He eventually landed on the central California coast, paving the way for a vibrant wine industry. Both of the J. Lohr locations are open daily for free wine tastings. No appointment is necessary, but larger groups should always call ahead. You can also join the J. Lohr club. Membership includes access to VIP events, brand discounts, and free bottles of wine. Left Bend Winery The Left Bend Winery is just a short drive outside of San Jose in Los Gatos. All of the wines from the Left Bend Winery are sourced from the Santa Cruz Mountains. This windery handles every aspect of the winemaking process, from pre-harvest to bottling. You can order bottles of their wine and join the wine club online. Club members receive complimentary tastings, discounts on wine bottles, and four wine annual shipments of your favorite wines. The Left Bend Winery is open Thursday through Sunday from 12 until 5 p.m. Spend a day checking out the best wines of San Jose, California. Each of these local vineyards is a great choice and has special deals and memberships to ensure you have a great wine-tasting experience. Photo by dalecruse | Licensed cc by 2.0

California is often referred to as wine country because of its abundance of vineyards and wine tasting destinations. Check out a few of the best wine spots in the San Jose, California, area. Divine Wineries Divine Wineries is conveniently located in downtown San Jose and serves some of the highest-rated handcrafted wines in the entire area. None of their unique wines are available for purchase in local stores and can only be tasted at this winery. They source their wines from the Sierra Foothills, the Santa Clara Valley, and even the Alexander Valley. Reservations are not required and they are open Wednesday through Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m., Friday through Saturday from 12 to 10 p.m., and on Sunday from 12 to 6 p.m. more This winery is within walking distance of nearby hotels, making it a great choice for a full day of wine tasting. Locals can also join the Divine Wineries wine club for just $35 per month. This membership includes up to three free bottles of wine each month and special discounts on wine accessories and unlimited happy hour events. Vino Vino Vino Vino is also a wine tasting destination in downtown San Jose that has 13 different fine wines available. They also serve small plates to pair with your wine tasting. Want to bring along a guest that does not enjoy wine? Vino Vino also serves local craft beers. This winery has a simple goal: to provide locals with a no-frills spot to taste local wines, share good food, and get to know their neighbors. This sports bar environment is perfect for a casual wine tasting experience, and you can easily reserve a table online. Lohr Vineyards & Wines The history of J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines is not only interesting but is also an important part of the California wine industry. The founder, Jerry Lohr, spent many years attempting to find the right spot for his vineyard. He eventually landed on the central California coast, paving the way for a vibrant wine industry. Both of the J. Lohr locations are open daily for free wine tastings. No appointment is necessary, but larger groups should always call ahead. You can also join the J. Lohr club. Membership includes access to VIP events, brand discounts, and free bottles of wine. Left Bend Winery The Left Bend Winery is just a short drive outside of San Jose in Los Gatos. All of the wines from the Left Bend Winery are sourced from the Santa Cruz Mountains. TThis winery handles every aspect of the winemaking process, from pre-harvest to bottling. You can order bottles of their wine and join the wine club online. Club members receive complimentary tastings, discounts on wine bottles, and four wine annual shipments of your favorite wines. The Left Bend Winery is open Thursday through Sunday from 12 until 5 p.m. Spend a day checking out the best wines of San Jose, California. Each of these local vineyards is a great choice and has special deals and memberships to ensure you have a great wine-tasting experience. Photo by dalecruse | Licensed under cc BY 2.0

While many wine connoisseurs consider Napa the mecca of American wineries, don't underestimate Silicon Valley. In the mountainous regions to the south of Santa Clara County lies many of the top vineyards in the country, including several within just a short drive of Morgan Hill, California. If you're 21 and in the mood for a refreshing glass of wine, quaint scenery, and great company, check out a few of these wineries. Guglielmo Winery Founded in 1925, Guglielmo Winery is one of the oldest wineries in the area, spanning over three generations and still family-owned. Conveniently located on Main Street in Morgan Hill, it covers more than 80 acres and provides breathtaking views of the surrounding area. The winery grows a variety of grapes to produce nearly three dozen wines, including red, white, sparkling, and dessert wines. more Guglielmo produces five unique types of wine that have won awards at the San Francisco International Wine Competition, the Sunset International Wine Competition, and the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. The gold-medal winner is a 2015 Estate Grignolino that has the aroma of berries and cherries with a hint of spice. The Reserve Estate Zinfandel is another popular choice, offering a nose of berries, cinnamon, and nutmeg, a taste of spice and dark red fruits, and a lingering vanilla finish. No matter what your favorite type of wine, you're sure to find it at Guglielmo. The tasting room is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Prices are $10 per tasting, but you'll get $5 back with a purchase of $20 or more. Sycamore Creek Vineyards Nestled in the Uvas Valley at the southern end of the Santa Cruz Mountains, Sycamore Creek Vineyards is another Morgan Hill vineyard featuring award-winning wines, a spectacular patio, and a picturesque backdrop that's both soothing and relaxing. Planted in the early 1900s with Zinfandel and Carignan grapes, the fertile valley produces some of the finest grapes in the area with little pH balance or agricultural upkeep, a testament to the fertile conditions of the land. The best feature of the wines at Sycamore Creek is their simplicity. The vineyard offers just five types of wines, including white, red, and reserve, yet each has its own distinct tastes and aromas. The tasting room is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, and a flight of six wines is just $15. Castillo's Hillside Shire Winery Situated just north of Morgan Hill near the banks of Anderson Lake, Castillo's Hillside Shire Winery is one of the top vineyards in the valley. Offering 20 wines, Castillo's has a perfect flavor for every type of wine lover. It has all the familiar favorites, including the award-winning syrah, merlot, cabernet sauvignon, and Sangiovese For something completely different, try some of the off-the-wall flavors like Liquid Ecstasy, Summer Bliss, and other seasonal offerings. The tasting room is open Saturday and Sunday or on weekdays by appointment only. With so many amazing wineries near Morgan Hill, you'll never run out of places to sip some of the best juice from the vine. Just remember to bring a designated driver or book a room nearby if you decide to indulge. Best Wineries near Morgan Hill Photo by khawkins0 | Licensed under cc by 2.0