BERRYESSA GAP PUTS THE ‘WINE’ IN WINTERS

By Aaron Geerts

Winters is a charming little town with a deep agricultural heritage and a short drive away from anywhere in Yolo County. Berryessa Gap Vineyards is not only deeply rooted in that heritage but is one of the many must-visit spots in Winters and features a variety of awardwinning wines.

Berryessa Gap got its start decades ago in 1969 when Dan Martinez Sr. went into business with winemaker and wine historian, Ernest Peninou. For decades, they would develop and provide grapevine rootstock to the Napa and Sonoma areas renowned for their viticulture.

In 2000, Dan Martinez Jr. along with farming and business partner, Santiago Moreno purchased Coble Ranch west of Winters and – with the knowledge derived from his father’s decades of cultivating grapevine rootstock – planted the vineyards that source wines. A couple of years later, Berryessa Gap opened up a tasting room in downtown Winters (located at 15 Main St.), and shortly thereafter, another just outside of Winters at 27260 Highway 128 — a perfect viewing spot of the Berryessa Gap itself.

“We’re lucky to have two locations. With the location on 128, you have the view of the gap and mountains looking west, and it’s also a shared location with Berryessa Brewing Co, so people can enjoy beer and wine. There’s often live music, and food trucks there as well as indoor areas to sit on the wintery side. We can also host private parties or do private tastings along with patio seating,” said Berryessa Gap Vineyards President/COO/ Co-Owner, Corinne Martinez. “You’re just out in the country with fresh air in a casual, family-friendly environment. It’s just a beautiful place where people can enjoy their afternoon, some good music and good wine. We’re also very lucky to have our spot in historic, downtown Winters which is a very charming place to be. That building is very inviting too with our front space pouring out into Main St. which is partially closed on the weekends and there’s live music in the street on Fridays through October.”

While the views and atmospheres of the Berryessa Gap locations are undoubtedly immaculate, they pair quite well with the quality wine served at them. In fact, many of Berryessa Gap’s wines are frequently featured and recognized – and given over 90-point ratings –by Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

Sommeliers were also singing Berryessa Gap’s praises most recently at the San Francisco Chronicle’s 2023 wine competition as this family business took home a best-inclass award as well as other gold awards for different reds and whites they presented. Not to mention, one of their relatively new aperitifs won as well.

“Albariño

“Tempranillo

As if Berryessa Gap’s resume wasn’t tasty enough, they also host an international dinner series every so often that features food from around the globe – along with wine pairings, of course.

“We started this during COVID, and it was a combination of our tasting room manager, Brendan wanting to do something with global dinners and pick some cuisine and prove that there are cuisines other than the traditional ones you think of like Mediterranean that will go with wines. So, we came up with idea and said, ‘Look, it’s COVID, people can’t travel, let’s bring this food to them,’” said Martinez. “It’s a global dinner series, and we pick a country or region in the world that’s not traditionally paired with wine, we get a chef to prepare the food and show them that you can. It’s a very participatory event too asking people to bring things from home that may be related to the region of the world we’re featuring. They get very creative with it bringing plates, souvenirs or flags from a previous visit.”

From the views, to the wine, to the food and the ensuing smiles that come with them all, Berryessa Gap embodies the work ethic of Winters coming to fruition in an amazing fashion that all of Yolo County and beyond can enjoy

“For me, it’s just a love of the place, where we are and what we do and share with people,” said Martinez. “I feel I’m so lucky to be able to do this here in Winters, in Yolo County where there’s an abundance of fresh air and produce. There’s also rich, family tradition we have in our family on both sides. It’s the Spanish side of having big gatherings and preparing food and sharing with people. So, I love the food and wine part of it, I love inviting people to come experience it and enjoy it, I love telling everybody about it and I enjoy continuing to explore ways to invite people to discover what we have going on here. It’s very rewarding to share what I love with other people that enjoy it. If I can bring joy to wine lovers and provide a great experience to them, then that’s what’s going to make me happy.”

To learn more about and stay up to date with Berryessa Gap Vineyards, visit their website www.berryessagap. com and their social media accounts by searching @ berryessagapvineyards on Instagram and Facebook. Or head to their downtown Winters tasting room at 15 Main St. with phone number 530-795-3201, or their country location at 27260 Highway 128 with phone number 530-795-3345.

Wine and good times abound, it’s no wonder you can’t spell Winters without “W-I-N-E.”