Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyards is located on the site of one of the oldest continually operated farms in the Bay Area. Here in the picturesque hills above the quaint town of Saratoga, acres of plums and apricots were planted in the 19th century. Back in the first half of the 20th century, the view of the valley to the east was a massive explosion of pink and white blossoms in the Spring. Virtually all the land that had been planted to grapes before phylloxera wiped them out and Prohibition dealt the death card, was subsequently planted to fruit trees.

You can see the glory of what was known as “Blossom Valley” on the Cooper-Garrod wine label. Those acres of cherries, plums, apricots and citrus are all a mere memory now: progress paved over the orchards, leaving shopping malls and industrial parks in its wake. There are still fruit trees here on this 120 acre site that has been in the family for over 100 years, but it is vineyards of Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Syrah, Viognier, and Merlot that dominate the landscape. The old fruit processing shed is now the tasting room, and when you walk up to it, you will be doubtless greeted by a whinny from the enormous Dutch Warmblood horse in the nearby stable. It is indeed a place steeped in history and old-fashioned charm.