A charming town base, a historic cellar, and estates in the hills above. Updated for 2026.
The charming town of Los Gatos, tucked against the mountains at the southern edge of Silicon Valley, is one of the best bases for exploring the Santa Cruz Mountains, and a wine destination in its own right. Downtown Los Gatos is home to the appellation's signature tasting room, Testarossa, in a historic stone cellar, while the forested hills and ridges rising above town hold a scattering of estates, from a pioneering name in California Pinot to grand, garden-draped destinations and small family wineries. With good restaurants and an easy, walkable downtown, Los Gatos makes a natural hub for a mountain wine day.
Below are the Los Gatos-area wineries we think best capture this side of the Santa Cruz Mountains, from a historic downtown cellar to grand hillside estates and small family producers. These are a mix of walk-in and seated tastings; reserve ahead for the hillside estates. Current as of October 2026.
The historic Novitiate cellar
Housed in the historic Novitiate winery building in downtown Los Gatos, Testarossa is the town's signature destination, pouring a broad, polished range of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in an atmospheric old stone cellar, an easy, welcoming anchor for a Los Gatos day.
Good to know: Seated tastings; historic cellar. Downtown Los Gatos.
Our tip: Taste in the historic cellar; the town's signature stop.
The grand estate with gardens
A lavish estate in the hills above Los Gatos with manicured Italianate gardens, grand grounds, and sweeping views, Regale is one of the area's most striking destinations, a scenic, celebratory place to taste and linger.
Good to know: Tastings; gardens and grounds. Los Gatos hills.
Our tip: Come for the gardens and views; grand and celebratory.
The Pinot pioneer
A Santa Cruz Mountains pioneer who made his first commercial Pinot Noir in 1966 and took part in the 1976 Judgment of Paris, David Bruce remains a historic hillside estate above Los Gatos, a piece of the appellation's founding story.
Good to know: Tastings; hillside estate. Los Gatos hills.
Our tip: A historic Pinot pioneer; a cornerstone of the appellation.
The organic mountain estate
A longtime organic estate high in the mountains above Los Gatos, Silver Mountain makes estate Chardonnay and Pinot in a down-to-earth, sustainability-minded setting, a characterful veteran worth the drive up.
Good to know: Tastings by reservation; mountain estate. Los Gatos hills.
Our tip: Taste the organic estate wines; a veteran mountain producer.
The scenic ridge estate
A family estate on a scenic ridge in the mountains above Los Gatos, Wrights Station makes estate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay (and sparkling) in a serene, view-blessed setting, a welcoming, lesser-known destination.
Good to know: Tastings by reservation; ridge estate. Los Gatos hills.
Our tip: A serene ridge estate; taste the estate Pinot and sparkling.
The family hillside producer
A family-run estate in the hills above Los Gatos, Muccigrosso makes estate wines in a personal, down-to-earth setting, a friendly, lower-profile stop for travelers exploring the Los Gatos side of the mountains.
Good to know: Tastings; family estate. Los Gatos hills.
Our tip: A warm, personal family producer; a relaxed hillside stop.
The small artisan producer
A small artisan producer in the Los Gatos area, Saison makes characterful, small-lot wines in a personal setting, a lower-key find for those who want to taste off the main path near town.
Good to know: Tastings; small-production. Los Gatos area.
Our tip: A small, artisan producer; a characterful, lower-key find.
The boutique estate
A boutique family estate in the Los Gatos hills, Twelve Stones makes small-production wines in a welcoming, personal setting, an intimate stop for travelers seeking the quieter side of the appellation near town.
Good to know: Tastings by reservation; boutique estate. Los Gatos hills.
Our tip: An intimate, boutique estate; book ahead for a personal tasting.
Los Gatos makes an ideal base for this side of the Santa Cruz Mountains: you can start in the walkable downtown at the historic Testarossa cellar, enjoy the town's restaurants, and then drive up into the forested hills to a grand estate (Regale) or a quieter family or ridge winery (Silver Mountain, Wrights Station, Twelve Stones). The hillside estates are spread along winding mountain roads with real drive times, so cluster what you can and keep to two or three stops. Many are reservation-only with limited hours, so book ahead, and the heights can be cool and shaded, so bring a layer. Pair your day with a meal downtown, and arrange a driver for the narrow hill roads so everyone can relax.
Do not expect all the Los Gatos wineries to be in town; most of the estates are up winding mountain roads above it, so plan drive times. Do not assume walk-ins at the hillside estates; many are reservation-only with limited hours. And do not skip downtown Los Gatos itself, the historic Testarossa cellar and the town's restaurants are part of the appeal.
What wineries are in Los Gatos?
Downtown Los Gatos is home to Testarossa, in a historic Novitiate stone cellar, while the hills above town hold estates like the grand, garden-draped Regale, the pioneering David Bruce, the organic Silver Mountain, and smaller family producers such as Wrights Station, Muccigrosso, Saison, and Twelve Stones.
Is Los Gatos a good base for Santa Cruz Mountains wine tasting?
Yes, one of the best. The charming town sits right against the mountains at the southern edge of Silicon Valley, with a walkable downtown, good restaurants, the historic Testarossa cellar, and a scattering of estates in the hills above, making it a natural hub for exploring this side of the appellation.
Can you walk to wineries in downtown Los Gatos?
You can walk to Testarossa's historic cellar and enjoy the town's restaurants on foot, but most of the area's wineries are estates up in the forested hills above town, reached by winding mountain roads, so you will need to drive (or hire a driver) to reach them.
Which Los Gatos winery is the most famous?
Testarossa, housed in the historic Novitiate winery in downtown Los Gatos, is the town's signature tasting destination, while David Bruce, a pioneer of California Pinot Noir and a 1976 Judgment of Paris participant, is one of the most historically important names in the hills above.
Do Los Gatos hill wineries require reservations?
Many do, or keep limited hours, since they are small, family-run estates on winding mountain roads. It is best to confirm each winery's hours and book ahead, and to cluster nearby estates so you are not caught out by limited schedules or long drive times.
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