Why you should visit Morgan Hill wineries
This blog post covers the five best wineries in Morgan Hill, California.
Morgan Hill wineries reflect the natural beauty of this small family-oriented town.
Instead of cramped suburbs, beautiful mountains and open spaces surround Morgan Hill. Instead of chain restaurants, unique restaurants fill the quaint downtown.
There are trails, creeks, and parks galore. And of course there are wineries.
Many of the Morgan Hill wineries on this list are family-owned local wineries operated by people who grew up in the valley.
Some of these wineries focus heavily on red wines like Cabernets. Others take a more balanced approach and make local wines from both red and white grapes.
No matter your preference you’re sure to find something to like among these Santa Clara Valley wineries.
How to access Morgan Hill, California
Morgan Hill wineries are within easy reach of several major cities.
If you already live in Northern California, then great! You can easily drive to the Morgan Hill wineries on this list. If you live outside of California then you should fly into a nearby city, rent a car, and drive from the airport to Morgan Hill.
The nearest city is San Jose, which is located 23 miles away. It’ll take about 25 minutes to drive from San Jose to Morgan Hill.
It’ll take about 1 hour and 15 minutes to drive from San Francisco to Morgan Hill. San Francisco International Airport (SFO) serves the city.
The drive from Sacramento to Morgan Hill is roughly 2 hours and 20 minutes. Sacramento International Airport (SMF) serves the city.
The best Morgan Hill wineries for a wine tasting
Cottage Creek Vineyard
Cottage Creek Vineyard is a family-owned winery nestled in Morgan Hill’s Westernmost region.
Owners Sam and Denise are Morgan Hill natives with a shared love for good wine. They manage Cottage Creek Vineyard alongside winemaker Chris Graves.
Together this trio works with grapes such as Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Syrah, and Cabernet Franc.
They grow Cabernet grapes at their Morgan Hill estate. All other grapes come from California’s Central Coast and the Pacific Northwest.
If you’d like to sample their wines, you can visit Cottage Creek Vineyard in Morgan Hill. Their tasting room is outdoors and it’s only open two weekends a month. Opening days are listed on their website’s “Plan Your Visit” page. Be sure to double check these dates before you visit.
P.S. There’s also an adorable cabin at Cottage Creek! This charming cottage features a queen size bed, a full kitchen and bathroom, and a back patio and fire pit.
MOHI Ranch
MOHI is a beautiful ranch and boutique winery located in the Uvas Valley within the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Set against the picturesque backdrop of Uvas Creek, the ranch has olive trees, low fountains, and winding vineyards. This Mediterranean vibe makes MOHI the perfect place to relax with a glass of wine.
MOHI Ranch is both a farm and a winery.
The farm grows vegetables for the MOHI Farm restaurant. In the future, the ranch will also grow vegetables for Hotel MOHI, which is scheduled to open in 2025.
The ranch also grows grapes. MOHI wines feature grapes such as Zinfandel, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignane, Viognier, and Chardonnay.
You can sample these handcrafted wines on the property’s outdoor patio area. Wines are available by the glass or bottle alongside foods like charcuterie boards and flatbreads.
P.S. This property has had several names. The business was originally called Sycamore Creek Vineyards before they rebranded to MOHI Wine. Today it’s called MOHI Ranch. It’s part of the Léal Hospitality portfolio, which is a collection of wineries and event spaces.
Horse Thief Vineyards
Horse Thief Vineyards is a lively family-owned vineyard that offers live music and wine tastings at their Morgan Hill property.
Owners Rich and Debbie lived in Los Gatos for twenty years before they returned to their roots in Morgan Hill and Hollister in the Santa Clara Valley.
Horse Thief Vineyards incorporates grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir, and Sangiovese in their wines. White wines utilize Vermentino, Viognier, Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc.
Horse Thief Vineyards is open for tastings on the first and third weekends of every month. You can visit between 12-5 PM on Saturday and Sunday on weekends when they’re open.
P.S. The Horse Thief Vineyards address is listed as Gilroy, California on their Facebook page. However it’s listed as Morgan Hill, California on their website and on Google search results.
EmmaLily Vineyard
EmmaLily Vineyard is a family-owned winery focused on crafting exceptional Cabernet.
The winery is named for the owners’ daughters Emma and Lily.
This hidden gem in Morgan Hill caters to the bold red wine lover. Their wines boast deep ruby colors, a soft velvety mouthfeel, and notes of red fruits like boysenberry, raspberry, strawberry, and black cherry.
In addition to Cabernet Sauvignon, EmmaLily Vineyards also works with Malbec and Merlot grapes.
EmmaLily Vineyard offers complimentary tastings from 1-5 PM every third Saturday and Sunday of the month. Bring your own picnic to enjoy while they serve you stellar wines.
MH Vallée Vineyards
MH Vallée Vineyards makes high quality wines in south Santa Clara County.
This winery is relatively new; it was established in 2018 and opened in 2020. Today, MH Vallée Vineyards works with grapes such as Chardonnay, Grenache, Pinot Noir, and Syrah.
Their hilltop tasting room has comfortable patio furniture and great views of the valley below.
MH Vallée Vineyards does not publicize their business hours, so you’ll need to contact them via email, Facebook, Instagram, or phone at (408) 590-7254.
Other wine regions to explore
Morgan Hill wineries feel like a relaxing countryside escape. But the local wineries on this list are still within easy driving distance of big cities.
If you’re looking for other California wine destinations located near San Francisco and Sacramento we’ve got you covered.
Lincoln, California is a short 35 minute drive from Sacramento but the best wineries in Lincoln CA offer an escape from the city’s hustle and bustle.
Auburn, California is also less than an hour by car from downtown Sacramento. These Auburn wineries offer tasty wine and great views in a relaxed NorCal setting.
Brentwood, California is a 90 minute drive from both Sacramento and San Francisco. The best wineries Brentwood offers are perfect for a relaxed day trip from either city.
And of course we can’t ignore Napa. Downtown Napa is full of tasting rooms located within easy walking distance of one another. If you’d prefer to visit hidden gems just outside of town then check out our list of the best boutique wineries in Napa.
Northern California is the state’s popular wine region, but Southern California offers some fun wineries too. The best Los Angeles wineries make a mix of fresh natural wines and big bold reds. Venture down the Pacific Coast Highway and you’ll find Malibu wineries and wine bars that bring California cool (and great wine!) to the table.
