Located in Redwood City, the gem that is La Honda Winery is well worth a visit. Often called “a best-kept secret,” whose clients love to surprise their guests with “uniquely charming atmosphere and delicious artisan wines,” it’s only open to the public on certain dates, as the facility is used mostly for private and corporate parties, team building, charity events, wine tastings, cooking parties, winemaker dinners, and so on. Owner and general manager David Page oversees La Honda Winery and its 50 private estate vineyards between Hillsborough and Los Gatos.
One of La Honda’s artisan wines is the 2015 Santa Cruz Mountains Sauvignon Blanc. La Honda’s winemaker, Colin McNany, got everything right in this hand-nurtured wine with delectable aromas of passionfruit, papaya, star fruit, and melon—and its citrus fruit and floral notes combine for an enticingly crisp and dry wine. On the palate, the wine has a full impact and clean fruit purity balanced by a slight minerality, says McNany, adding that this wine should be drunk now as it’s not meant for aging.
Rounding up the team at La Honda are Thayer Dunwoody, vineyard manager, and Ken Wornick, vineyard consultant, who I first met at the long-gone Vinocruz wine shop nearly a decade ago.
La Honda wines are available all over, including local New Leaf stores, Whole Foods, The Fish Lady in Soquel, Deluxe Foods in Aptos, and at restaurants such as Café Mare and Café Cruz. I bought this Sauvignon Blanc at the Summit Store in Los Gatos for about $16.
The next date La Honda is open to the public is March 18, so put that date on your calendar if you want to pay this fun place a visit. It’s a small, fast-growing winery that has won “double golds and gold galore” from the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. They are also members of the Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association and participate in Passport events. The next Passport is April 15, but check La Honda’s website for info.
La Honda Winery is open the third Saturday of every month from noon to 4 p.m. and for special events. Located at 2645 Fair Oaks Ave., Redwood City. 650-366-4104, lahondawinery.com.
