Eric & I drove to Testarossa Winery
in Los Gatos for a Wine Tasting.
Reservations for Wine Tastings
are highly recommended.
Eric and I sit across from each other on comfortable wicker benches beneath a tent enclosed by clear plastic.
Richard guides us through our Wine Tasting. We start with the White Wines...
Chardonnay
Eric savors the Lone Creek
Chardonnay.
The relaxed surroundings encourage us to linger over each wine, discussing each one's characteristics.
Richard shows us the bottle of
Richard's background is Culinary. He's given up hot, noisy rushed kitchens for the relaxed atmosphere and slower pace at Testarossa Winery.
A shot of me with the 2019
We decide to purchase a bottle of the Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay and a bottle of the Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir.
Eric and I walk over to Wine Bar 107 for a Cheese Plate and a bottle of Doctor's Vineyard Pinot Noir.
We spend more time enjoying
the Winery's Hospitality.
Our Cheese Plate includes Beemster Aged Gouda, Aurora Manchengo, Marin French Triple Creme Brie, Central Coast Creamery Holey Cow, with Grapes, Pomegranate, Craisins, Olives, Kosher Dill Pickles, Date Butter, Cashews, Apricot Jam, and Crackers.
Our server, Alfredo, recommends we tour the Winery before we leave.
Jesuit Fathers & Brothers from
Santa Clara College (now Santa
Clara University) built the
Novitiate Winery in 1888.
The Winery's profits helped fund the Seminary that was built on the grounds in 1889. In addition to their studies, Seminarians worked in the vineyard and Winery. Besides making Sacramental Wine, the Jesuits made sweet, fortified wines. During Prohibition, the demand for Church Wine skyrocketed. The Winery, vineyards, and the Seminary expanded. By the 1950s 100,000 cases of wine were made and sold here. The vines were past peak production in the 1960s and the number of Seminarians declined. In 1986 the Jesuits closed Novitiate Winery.
In 1997 the Jensens moved Testarossa Winery to the Jesuits' former Winery in Los Gatos. Wine production is currently around 30,000 cases per year. Each year the Jensens in repairing and improving the Winery.
ceilings & chandeliers.
This is a very long room.
is on the website.
The Wine Bar
I can't wait until Covid ends and people can fill the space with conversation and laughter.
a dinner party or a
rehearsal dinner maybe...
As usual, Eric knows how to show a girl a good time. Conversations shared in a relaxed, casual environment over wines and good food is the recipe for great memories.
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