A glossy brochure and marketing campaign once drew visitors to a cluster of wineries tucked into a corner of industrial San Carlos. These proclaimed the Midpeninsula Wine Trail an easy way to get your wine fix without trekking to Wine Country.
But the trail’s taken a hit in recent years, and has substantially fewer stops than in its heyday. (“You’re a few years too late,” said Spencer Townsend, an owner and winemaker at Russian Ridge Winery, when I told him I was working on a story about it.)
That’s because before the pandemic, there were nine wineries and one cider maker, while today, there are only four wineries remaining: Woodside Vineyards, Flying Suitcase Wines, Russian Ridge Winery and Domenico Winery and Osteria.
Still, each is well worth a visit in its own right, and the four-stop trail offers its own sense of fun and challenge, given most of the them are only open on weekend afternoons. So you’ll have to sip zippily to visit all four in one go. Here’s what to expect.
Woodside Vineyards
Starting with the northernmost destination of the Midpeninsula Wine Trail, you’ll find Woodside Vineyards housed in Auto Vino, a high-end car storage facility and event space. But on a sunny day, it’s lovely to get outside of the temperature-controlled interior and savor the vibrant oasis of a parking lot transformed into an outdoor patio with cafe tables, shade structures, greenery, a pizza-slinging food truck and, of course, wine.
The company produces an array of wines from grapes farmed in Woodside, part of the Santa Cruz Mountains American Viticultural Area. It makes three varieties of Cabernet Sauvignon, plus Zinfandel and Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, plus Port and Champagne-style wines.
The dog-friendly outdoor space practically beckons visitors to grab a glass and a seat to while away a pleasant weekend afternoon. But don’t take too long or sip too much, because there are more spots to catch.
Details: Open 12-4 p.m. weekends at 380 Industrial Road, San Carlos; woodsidevineyards.com.
Flying Suitcase Wines
Next up is Flying Suitcase Wines, a local winery started by Danish husband-and-wife team Anders and Vicki Vinther. The couple launched the winery in 2013 when Anders started getting into making wine, drawing on his background in quality control in the biotech world. “He’s a perfectionist with wine,” Vicki says.
By 2016, Flying Suitcase was ready to open a tasting room, prompting the Vinthers to approach Russian Ridge Winery for advice. It turned out that the space next door was open, so Flying Suitcase moved in. It continues to make a variety of wines, particularly French varietals, but its Syrah is what it’s best known for, according to Vicki.
Flying Suitcase sources its fruit from a variety of locations, primarily in Napa and Sonoma counties, Vicki says. “You can’t make good wine with bad fruit.”
The tasting room is thoughtfully furnished, comfortable and pet- and family-friendly. It even has a playroom for kids.
“You’re getting a good-quality wine at a really good price compared to what you would if you went up to Napa or Sonoma,” she says. “We’re kind of a hidden gem, to be honest.”
After sampling a tasting flight — or a glass — head just next door to Russian Ridge Winery for your next stop.
Details: Open 1-5 p.m. weekends at 915 Washington St., San Carlos; flyingsuitcasewines.com. Reservations not required but encouraged, especially for groups of six or more.
Russian Ridge Winery
Behind a wood-paneled bar, you’ll find Spencer Townsend offering pours of his wines. He grew up making wine with his dad at their family’s property in the Santa Cruz mountains, located along the Russian Ridge, the highest elevation in San Mateo County.
After winning Best in Show at the 2010 county fair, they decided to establish their winery. Around that time, San Carlos had policies that were friendly to small craft alcohol producers, leading to an influx of brewers and winemakers in the neighborhood, he says.
Russian Ridge wines — particularly its Concerto, a Bordeaux-style red blend — have won an array of awards over the years.
Details: Open 1-5 p.m. weekends and 5-8 p.m. the third Thursday and final Friday of each month at 919 Washington St, San Carlos; russianridgewinery.com.
Domenico Winery
The largest operation of the four, Domenico Winery is where you’ll want to go for a special-occasion meal to pair with a glass of wine or to enjoy a night out at one of its many events, like its monthly Grapes and Giggles comedy nights.
It specializes in Californian and Italian wines, with vineyards in Amador County where it grows its estate Syrah and Primitivo wines. And its falanghina, imported from the owners’ family winery in Campania, is floral and refreshing.
Seating for wine tastings at the bar is limited to 45 minutes, so Domenico recommends making a reservation at a table, where tastings are always available. Besides, after one bite of their house-made focaccia, you’ll be happy you obliged. Topped with rosemary, tomatoes, olive oil and balsamic vinegar, it’s the perfect complement to whatever you’re sipping. Round out the meal with dishes like lemon-basil gnocchi with garlic butter prawns ($19) or prosciutto pizza, topped with white truffle oil and pecorino romano ($24). And don’t forget to get tiramisu ($9) for dessert.
Details: Open 5-9 p.m. Wednesdays-Fridays, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays at 1697 Industrial Road, San Carlos (brunch served 11 a.m.-3 p.m. weekends); domenicowinery.com.
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