CASTILLO'S HILLSIDE SHIRE WINERY
http://castilloshillsideshirewinery.com/ 37.1535, -121.623
| Owners | Castillo family |
|---|---|
| Winemaker | Jess Castillo |
| Address | 2215 Liberata Drive, Morgan Hill |
| Phone | |
| Web Site | https://castilloswinery.com |
| First Vintage | 2007 |
| Current production | 340 cases (2007, released) |
| Location |
Every winery starts with a dream, but it's not always the same dream. In 2000 Jess Castillo just wanted to build his family's dream house on the outskirts of Morgan Hill, but his planning applications were being denied. Eventually he learned that under the Williamson Acthe wouldn't be allowed to construct anything over 2500 square feet because the land wasn't being used for agriculture.
The solution was clear; if he farmed 70% of his land he'd be allowed to do what he wanted with the remainder. Planting grapes to sell seemed an ideal way out, so Jess spoke to local winery Guglielmo and took advice on what to plant. In 2001 he installed 7,000 Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah vines on the hillside, and built his home.
But when the first crop arrived in 2006 Jess decided to have a go at winemaking. The response from friends was so positive that he began to receive offers from neighbours to farm their vineyards on a sharecropping basis. The winery bonded and the first commercial vintage was 2007. All the wines are from the Santa Clara Valley, and are matured in new French oak. The whimsical labels were designed by the Castillo's youngest daughter.