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Testarossa Winery

4.5· 120 reviews
Average ratingExcellent
4.5/ 5

Based on 120 reviews

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38%
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Ruiping Gao
Reviews 1

Great local place to do a wine tasting, do a picnic or just hangout with friends with a bottle of Testarossa Wine.

The winery is dog friendly, so be ready to see four legged buddies walking around outside. The wine and charcuterie plate is a must have regardless what wine you have from there.

One weekends they have live music. Gone twice and the musicians have been great. Also was lucky to have two work events at this winery. They have large spaces for team building and an extensive menu to ensure everyone is well fed.

Juana Makarenko
Reviews 1

Beautiful and charming place. Visited the tasting room, took a tour (Norman was a great guide!) and had dinner in the cave room. The food was delicious - the beef bulgolgi hors d'oeuvre was tender and well seasoned. For dinner, I had chicken which was melt-in-your mouth good. My favorite wines were the Chardonnays but many in my party loved their Pinot Noirs. Definitely want to visit when I am in Northern California again.

Peter Baughman
Reviews 1

Pass if you're not a member. Bought four tastings, bought two bottles of wine, wanted to sit down and eat a picnic lunch. The hostess tried to be accommodating, but all the picnic tables are for members only. She ended up seating us in the parking lot (ugh) at a table in the waiting area. Minutes later we were accosted by another member of the staff informing us that we couldn't drink our wine at this table. There are enough other equally nice wineries nearby that you don't need to put up with the nonsense here. Did not feel welcome

Tyler Harding
Reviews 1

Testarossa is a fairly sprawling winery in the hills above Los Gatos. The place itself is cool to hang out, and the outside area was very relaxing. Looking forward to visiting again during the warmer Summer months. The wines were all pretty good (I'm not enough of a connoisseur to comment in more detail about any in particular).

thomas rodrian
Reviews 1

While attending San Jose State University, I went to Novitiate Winery for a jazz event sponsored by the winery. The winery held several wine tastings throughout the day between artists sets. It was a wonderful day. I am glad Testarossa Winery still holds events. The winery is a very beautiful location.

Thomas Watson
Reviews 1

Expensive for mediocre wine, especially considering they basically have two styles, Pinot and chard. So if you like a bold red, you re completely out of luck. Also, they re patio staff was very rude to me and my girlfriend. Seems like the owners are just going for the typical I m rich in Los Gatos vibe.

Amanda Lim
Reviews 1

We stopped by here on our way back from Santa Cruz. It was okay. The way they do the tasting fee and testee bucks was confusing. The wine was decent but we were hoping for better variety and didn't get alot of time or explanation for what we were tasting. The space however is quite lovely. It's too bad our experience didn't match the venue.

Audrey L
Reviews 1

Pinot Noir and Chardonnay winos rejoice! Testarossa is the place for you as they specialize in the wines from these two grapes. From what I know, their grapes are sourced from the Santa Lucia Highlands, and are truly local, Californian. Delicious.

The estate is also beautiful as it's actually taken over the historic Novitiate. They have a cave room, tasting room, and dining room for private events. Voted one of the best places for weddings in the Bay Area!

You can bring your own food and sit down on a picnic table (first come first served up to two hours) and soak up the sunshine and ambiance. Spring is a great time to go as it's just a bit breezy and the flowers are in bloom.

There's is also Wine Bar 107 with some outdoor seating where you can order wine, cheese, or dessert. Best part was that the cheeses served were meant to be paired with these varietals, so they are rather mild. Especially loved the dry jack cheese! It was interesting that they also served some green onion crackers with the cheese and fruit. It reminded me of the green onion crackers from Asian grocery stores, and seemed rather strong for the wine. Pretty cool that all the waiters/waitresses were wearing t-shirts that said, "Got Pinot?" haha.

Highly recommend for the pinot noir and chardonnay experience!

Victoria Kroll
Reviews 1

This is a nice winery with a lovely outdoor area. The tasting room is nice as well. The few times I have been on weekends, it has been pretty busy. However it doesn't take long to get wine and small plates. There is usually ample parking, and the staff are pleasant. I have gone with an infant and a toddler and have been able to walk around with them without disturbing other guests.

Brittany LaFrance
Reviews 1

Was disappointed, because we had to ask our server Belinda for information on each wine from the tasting. Typically they automatically tell you when giving you the glass. Made a reservation for 5 people, but they sat us at a 4 person table and had to wait for them to go inside and search for a spare fold up chair. The tiniest pours I have ever received at a tasting and they rush you out within 45 minutes, even though there were several open tables during our reservation. We were able to make it work, since each pour was a small sip. Pretty venue, though.

Jenny Erickson
Reviews 1

I had a great experience at this winery, specializing in pinot noir abd chardonnay with a lot from Santa Lucia highlands, one of my favorite regions for wine. The ambiance was beautiful and the outdoor seating plus clean redwood scent made for a beautiful experience.

Alyx Barranger
Reviews 1

This is my favorite winery for a multitude of reasons.

1. The wines they have are incredible. I'm not typically not a huge fan of red wine due to it's tendency to be full of tannins, but their wine is virtually tannin free. I haven't had a single wine there that I have not enjoyed. I recommend doing a tasting there. Ask for Paul! He is the best.

2. Speaking of Paul, the customer service here is out of this world amazing. I'm having my wedding here, and I just joined the Wine Club (which I absolutely recommend you join if you are a wine lover). Paul was kind enough to send me a postcard after visiting with my mom and fiance for a tasting. It was such a simple gesture, but it shows that they truly care about you which is incredible in my opinion.

3. The winery is simply gorgeous. It's up on top of a hill with gorgeous views, a beautifully rustic feel, and a history that makes it so unique. On my first visit I actually bumped into the owner who started things in his own garage. :)

All in all, I absolutely recommend you make a visit.

Brandon Agranovich
Reviews 1

Great winery, beautiful scenery, and solid service.

We came here for a team retreat with my company-- they put together a great selection of snacks, wine tastings, tea, and desserts. Lots of space to sit outside in a garden-like zen setting or inside the various tasting rooms.

Thomas Keady
Reviews 1

Great tasting room for the wines that they have across California. There are two outdoor seating areas, one serves food and the other is a picnic area for people who bring their own. The staff is always friendly and eager to talk about the wine.

A great spot to visit if you are down in the South Bay

Mark Brown
Reviews 1

We had a great time when we went here a few months ago. We went on a Saturday afternoon and had a great time in the tasting room and it was not crowded at all. Had an amazing Pinot and Chardonnay, once this whole shelter in Home place is done we will definitely be back

Liam Strand
Reviews 1

The Testarossa Winery is a nice place to hang out and have some appetizers, but don't go looking for a full meal, because you won't find it.The appetizers are good, if a little overpriced. And the menu is small. But that is the sacrifice you make when going to a winery for a meal.

Marie Dorothy Anne Liamzon-Tepman
Reviews 1

We had our company's anniversary celebration here not too long ago. The food was good and so was the wine. The ambiance was delightful and they even had a room big enough to accommodate our whole team for our company meeting. The staff was very friendly and cheerful as well.

Audrey Beaumarchais
Reviews 1

I recently had my wedding at Testarossa and it was the best decision we ever made. The facility and staff are above and beyond what we ever expected. The food is amazing as well as the amazing wine selection they offer. Kelsey was our event coordinator and did a fantastic job. She was so detail oriented and made sure we were comfortable and everything was perfect every step of the way. If you're thinking about getting married or having and event here do not hesitate to book it. It is worth it x1000. Additionally, we are wine members and truly enjoy visiting to try great wine in their tasting room and terrace as well as at Wine Bar 107 for some great snacks.

Jeremy Laurin
Reviews 1

Modest wine tasting prices, decent wines. If you are fond of California Pinot noir, you'll like the wines. This is also a beautiful event space for hosting a party, wedding, etc. Personally, though, I felt that the wine tasting staff were knowledgeable, but all 'business' (i.e., get you in, get you out), so it was hard to relax and chill. We only stayed about 10 minutes because of that. Next time I think I'd rather just go get a glass of wine, sit outside, and enjoy the view. It truly is beautiful and tucked away in the woods. Worth a visit even just for that.

Mark Crill
Reviews 1

First time there. Had outside music, wine, cheese-meat-crackers and a lovely blind date experience. A customer painted a portrait of my date and gave it to her! Staff was friendly and helpful. Covered porch in the rain with heaters worked for me. I would go back for another visit to add to my rating.

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About Testarossa Winery

We produce world-class Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in the historic Novitiate Winery of Los Gatos where we blend centuries-old winemaking techniques with state-of-the-art technology.

Testarossa Winery: Producing World-Class Chardonnay and Pinot Noir

Testarossa Winery is a renowned winery located in the historic Novitiate Winery of Los Gatos, California. The winery has been producing world-class Chardonnay and Pinot Noir for over 25 years, blending centuries-old winemaking techniques with state-of-the-art technology to create exceptional wines that are enjoyed by wine enthusiasts around the world.

The Testarossa Story

The story of Testarossa Winery began in 1993 when Rob and Diana Jensen purchased an old Jesuit novitiate in Los Gatos, California. The couple had a passion for wine and wanted to create their own label. They converted the property into a state-of-the-art winemaking facility while preserving its historic charm.

Rob Jensen is a graduate of UC Davis' viticulture program, which is considered one of the best in the world. He honed his skills at some of California's top wineries before starting Testarossa with his wife Diana.

Today, Testarossa produces over 20 different wines from some of California's most prestigious vineyards. Their focus on quality has earned them numerous awards and accolades from industry experts.

Winemaking Philosophy

At Testarossa Winery, they believe that great wine starts with great grapes. They work closely with their growers to ensure that only the best fruit makes it into their wines.

Once harvested, the grapes are sorted by hand before being gently pressed using state-of-the-art equipment. The juice is then fermented using natural yeasts to bring out the unique flavors and aromas of each varietal.

After fermentation, the wines are aged in French oak barrels for up to 18 months before being bottled and released for sale. This extended aging process allows the flavors to develop fully while adding complexity and depth to each wine.

Wines Offered

Testarossa offers a wide range of wines including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel among others.

Their flagship wine is their Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay which has consistently received high ratings from critics such as Wine Spectator magazine.

They also produce several single-vineyard Pinot Noirs that showcase different terroirs throughout California's Central Coast region.

Tasting Room Experience

Visitors can experience Testarossa's award-winning wines at their tasting room located at Novitiate Winery in Los Gatos or Carmel-by-the-Sea Tasting Room & Wine Bar.

The tasting room offers visitors an opportunity to taste through current releases as well as library vintages while enjoying views overlooking Santa Cruz Mountains.

In addition to tastings they offer tours where visitors can learn about history behind Novitiate building along with production process.

Conclusion

Testarossa Winery has established itself as one of California's premier producers of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir since its inception over two decades ago.

Their commitment towards quality coupled with use traditional techniques along modern technology have resulted in exceptional wines year after year.

Whether you're an experienced oenophile or just starting your journey into fine wine appreciation - visiting this iconic Californian winemaker should be on your bucket list!

Address
300 a college avenue