The Santa Clara Valley has a wonderful history of producing world class wines. Founded here was California’s first winery (Almaden Vineyards), and local wine luminaries include Charles Le Franc, Paul Masson, Martin Ray, Norbert Mirassou, Paul Draper, David Bruce and others. Given its multitude of microclimates, the Santa Clara Valley has ideal growing conditions for many different varietals. Unfortunately, its glorious winegrowing history has given way to its other more profitable industry – computer technology. The last twenty years has seen explosive business and population growth in the Santa Clara Valley, now better known as the Silicon Valley.
Changes to the Santa Clara Valley have negatively impacted its wine industry. On every corner a new McMansion development has sprung up, where 3,000 foot houses are built on 3,001 foot lots. Getting to know your neighbor has become more and more difficult with the influx of people, even though you can reach out the window and plug his nose to stop his snoring. [Joe Plonk relocated to Santa Cruz county where only TheWife can hear his nocturnal purring.] Housing and land prices have risen dramatically, even though there has been some settling in recent months. Vineyards have been pulled out for housing developments at Almaden Winery in San Jose (brand relocated to Madera), Weibel Vineyards in Fremont (winery moved to Mendocino), and Mirassou in San Jose (brand sold to Gallo). And, don’t even think about trying to plant new vines near the Kathryn Kennedy vineyards unless your IPO has put you in the category of mega rich.
So, the next time you find yourself at the corner of Zinfandel Lane and Chardonnay Court, and you feel the urge to strangle the guy wearing a pocket protector, you’ll know why…
Best, Joe Plonk
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1 comment:
It's not all doom and gloom. Though all that's left of Leland Stanford's vineyards is a street name, and the names Almaden and Blossom Hill conjure up residential communities and mass produced crap, there is a growing range of top quality wine being produced from further south in the Santa Clara Valley, such as Sarah's Vineyard, Sycamore Creek, Solis and Stefania.
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