Clos LaChance Winery, August 3, 2014

Winery - 8 / Wines - 6
Range:  1 to 9 (9 is best, 5 is average)
Rolling hills and golf course vistas.  Variety of reds and whites.  Good place for events.
clos.com

Clos LaChance was another of the local wineries that my sister introduced me to.  Nestled into the western San Martin foothills, this winery is well suited for hosting events.  The winery is surrounded by vineyards, rolling hills, and a golf course.  When the weather is agreeable, it makes a terrific location for outdoor activities.  In fact, this place is nearly impossible to get to on Mothers’ Day because of the crowd it attracts.  The patio offers a number of tables where you can enjoy a light snack along with your wine tasting.  And, the grounds are ample enough to accommodate a smaller outdoor wedding.  Clos LaChance also hosts a number of their own events on-site, so be sure to check their web site often to see what’s coming up next.

The Clos LaChance Winery courtyard entrance

The folks who designed the Clos LaChance winery had a sense of Tuscan elegance in mind when they created this winery.  The exterior features a vine-covered stucco exterior, much slate stone-work, tiles for the approach to the winery, and lush gardens.  Even the tile roof echoes the same theme.  Inside, painted walls are done in a light cream color, while rich woodwork abounds inside the main tasting room.  A tiled floor continues the Tuscan theme.  The mahogany counter with anodized steel countertop lends an interesting visual contrast.  Racks of wine bottles are housed above the bar.  The tasting room opens onto a larger room where they often hold indoor events (such as wine clearance sales).  Just outside the tasting room is the large patio area, surrounded by lawns, and looking out over the golf course below and the rolling hills just beyond the driveway.  The patio is the ideal setting for enjoying your wine tasting in the warmth of the valley’s afternoon sun.

Inside the Clos LaChance tasting room

There were two wine tasting options, and I opted for the reserve tasting.  I started with the 2012 Harmon Chardonnay, followed by the 2010 Murphy’s Pinot Noir.  Next I enjoyed 2011 Cabernet Franc, which surprised me.  The flight ended with the 2010 Reserve Syrah and the 2011 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, which was my favorite of the flight.  Finally, I was convinced to try the 2011 Whitestone Cabernet Sauvignon, which was a remarkable wine and was my favorite overall. 

Based on this experience, I would rate the winery a n8 and the wines a 6.  This is consistent with my prior visits.