Signs lead to nearly 30 local wineries
Published in the September 17-30, 2014 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Staff Report
Wine Trail unveiling
Photo by Marty Cheek
The sign leads to the wine. Morgan Hill residents who travel along rural streets and avenues of the city no doubt have noticed the signage pointing toward local wineries. The signs were put up by Santa Clara County’s Roads Department last month as part of the new Wine Trail that will lead drivers to South Valley’s nearly 30 wineries.
A sign unveiling and ribbon cutting event at Morgan Hill’s Guglielmo Winery Aug. 22 got the Wine Trail to a ceremonious start as local and county leaders spoke about the importance of agri-tourism in the region.
“What we’re doing with this Wine Trail program is raising the awareness of people in this area and outside of this area that all of you (winemakers) are here,” said County Supervisor Mike Wasserman who represents the South Valley. “Argi-tourism is alive and well in South County. I believe strongly in promoting our assets including our agricultural heritage.”
Wine journalist Josie Cowden, who regularly writes about Santa Cruz Mountain winemakers, said she was impressed with the quality of the wines in the South Valley region, and hopes the new Wine Trail will help more wine connoisseurs discover them.
“I had an excellent time. I have visited those wineries before and I think they are splendid wineries and my thought was it’s a real good thing that happened,” she said. “It was actually needed out there because it was a hodge-podge of wineries and now they’ve all come together, which is marvelous for your neck of the woods.”
Morgan Hill with its quality restaurants and friendly family-run wineries can use the Wine Trail to promote itself as a tourism destination for people interested in good food and vino, she said.
“These days, tourism very often revolves around food and wine and, as you know, your area is becoming a tourist destination where people want to participate in food and wine events,” she said. “The more things that are planned for wineries to participate in, the more people will discover Santa Clara Valley wines.”
