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CordeValle Winery, just north of Gilroy in the small community of San Martin, looks like a winery that was invented by central casting in Hollywood. Located in a small valley and surrounded by acres of grapevines. As we last visited on a hot Sunday afternoon in August, the vines were starting to get their autumn colors, and the vineyards were a patchwork of color from the different varietals.

CordeValle Winer is part of the broader “Visit Gilroy” wine country and only a short hop from Highway 101. It was on our list of wineries in the Santa Clara Valley Wine Trail Pass Deck.

Formerly Clos LaChance

If you know the wineries around Gilroy, San Martin, and Morgan Hill, but don’t know CordeValle Winery, you might know its previous name, Clos LaChance. During my visit, the change was still a work in progress.

Founders Bill and Brenda Murphy announced in March 2025 that they had sold Clos LaChance; afterward, the property began operating under the new name “CordeValle Winery,” aligning it with the adjacent CordeValle Golf Resort brand.

If you happen to be staying at CordeValle, the resort promotes the on-property tasting room and can help with local winery planning, which makes this an easy add-on to a spa, golf, or pool day.

Weddings at CordeValle Winery

Our first visit to CordeValle was for the wedding of a friend, and it remains a popular wedding venue. This may affect your visit even if you are not coming for nuptials, as the winery was set to close at 3 pm 6 times in September and 9 times in October for events, mostly weddings. The winery was set up for a wedding on the day of our visit, with the backdrop of the hills, the vines, and the golf course.

How The Tasting Works

CordeValle keeps its format friendly and straightforward. Standard tasting flights include five wines, with two tiers to choose from. The General Flight is the entry point, and the Designate Flight costs a bit more and includes a take-home logo glass. You get one glass at a time and a tasting card, which you return for your next glass.

These were the offerings on the day of our visit:

General Flight — “Pick Your Five”

Price: $20 for non-members. One tasting refunded with a two-bottle purchase.

White

• 2024 Rosé: watermelon, rose petal
• 2024 Sauvignon Blanc: stone fruit, orange zest, banana
• 2023 Viognier: stone fruit, floral notes, pear
• 2024 Marsanne: stone fruit, cantaloupe, apricot
• 2022 Chardonnay: baked apple, butterscotch, caramel

Red

• 2023 Grenache: anise, blackberry, plum
• 2021 Zinfandel: black cherry, allspice, pepper
• 2022 Pirates Red Blend: fig, black cherry, toffee
• 2022 Syrah: tart cherry, pomegranate
• 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon: black currant, brambleberry, mocha

Designate Flight

Price: $35 for non-members, $20 for members. Includes a logo glass.

• 2023 Harman Chardonnay: pear, nectarine, Brazil nut
• 2024 Marsanne: stone fruit, cantaloupe, apricot
• 2023 Murphy’s Pinot Noir: rhubarb, plum, cranberry
• 2022 Joli Meritage: baking spice, dark chocolate, plum
• 2022 Lila’s Cuvée: plum, pomegranate, currant

Hours run Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; the tasting room is closed Monday and Tuesday. Check the calendar for occasional early closures linked to concerts or private events. Groups of eight or more can book hosted tastings or reserved tables in advance.

A small but appreciated touch here is flexibility around food. Most weekends, the on-site “Bistro Clos” pop-up by Cellar Door offers casual, made-to-order bites; you can also bring your own picnic, as we did, if that’s part of your wine-country ritual.

If you’ve got a pup along for the ride, dogs are allowed in the Mulberry Grove and the garden patio just outside the tasting entrance, and the property is ADA-friendly; ask staff if you need a hand, and they’ll point you to ramps and flat routes.

The patio or the Mulberry Grove are perfect for a warm day in early fall, but there is also indoor seating on those very hot summer afternoons or chilly winter days.

Who Can Visit

The winery positions itself as an adult venue. For their free Thursday concerts and many evening happenings, it’s explicitly 21+ only, even for non-drinkers, which keeps the vibe focused on music, conversation, and the wine in your glass.

The Wine

We enjoyed the wines we tried. We had the red flight, and the Zinfindel and the Pirates Red Blend stood out for me.

Some mention should be made of the unusual label for the 22 Pirates red blend. This wine was inspired by the 22 Prisoners wine from Prisoner Winery, which featured 22 actual prisoners on the label. The original owners attempted to devise a response and came up with 22 Pirates, which features 22 actual pirates on the label. The vintage from ’22 of 22 Pirates seems particularly poignant.

The blend changes by vintage. For example, the 2020 release consisted of 23% Syrah, 23% Grenache, 17% Petite Sirah, 17% Zinfandel, 13% Alicante Bouschet, and 7% Cinsault. The ’22 version was 50% Zinfandel.

The Scene: Bocce By Day, Dancing By Night

CordeValle’s events calendar is a legitimate draw. The free Time for Wine Thursday-night concert series fills the lawn each summer, with sunset sets followed by dancing under the arbor. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs for the grass; a limited number of patio tables are held for higher-tier wine-club members who RSVP online. Food is sold on site, but you can bring your own picnic; outside alcohol is not permitted. Check the page for season dates and set times before you go.

Beyond concerts, Sundays often feature live music on a smaller scale, and the calendar sprinkles in seasonal happenings such as grape-stomp days, songwriter showcases, and a Halloween bash. Even if you’re not a club member, you can plan a casual afternoon tasting around these; just arrive early for parking and space on the terrace.

Practical Tips For Planning

• Address: 1 Hummingbird Lane, San Martin, CA; part of the Gilroy wine-country area.
• Hours and Fees: Wednesday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. General and Designate five-wine flights are the standard; the Designate tier includes a keepsake glass. Watch for posted early closures.
• Groups: For eight or more guests, email ahead for hosted tastings or table reservations. The hosted option runs at a set per-person price and includes a dedicated pourer.
• Food: Weekend “Bistro Clos” service varies by date; expect sliders, salads, tacos, and similar. Outside food is welcome when the bistro is open or closed.
• Policies:
  • The property is ADA-friendly
  • Dogs are allowed in designated outdoor zones
  • For concerts and many events, plan on a 21+ policy.
• Events: Free Thursday “Time for Wine” summer concert series; lawn seating and patio reservations vary by club level.
• Vineyards: 150-acre estate, with additional sourcing in the nearby Santa Cruz Mountains; winemaking focused on matching variety to micro-site.
• Setting: You’re in the Gilroy-area wine country, minutes from Gilroy Gardens and the outlets, with a string of other small producers within an easy drive if you’re building a whole day.

Pair It With A Stay Or A Gilroy Weekend

If you’re making a mini-escape of it, pair an afternoon tasting with a night at CordeValle next door or with a base in Gilroy or Morgan Hill. Resort guests can lean into spa time or a morning of golf, then wander over for a flight and live music. Travelers coming purely for wine can start here, picnic on the lawn, then add a second stop among other Santa Clara Valley wineries within a short radius. The point is to make the day flow: one anchor tasting, something for the appetite, and perhaps a sunset show to cap it off.

What Stands Out

• Approachability: Tasting fees are reasonable for a five-wine flight in Northern California, and staff keep the tone relaxed.
• Range: The lineup covers more ground than you might expect, especially with Rhône whites like Marsanne alongside Santa Clara Valley stalwarts such as Cab and Cab Franc.
• Events: Free Thursday concerts are a genuine highlight of summer; few wineries balance lawn concerts with a broad daily tasting program as smoothly.

Bottom Line

CordeValle Winery is an easy recommendation if you’re building a Gilroy-area itinerary around good wine, views, and a little live music. The flights give you a tour of Santa Clara Valley styles. The setting invites you to linger with a picnic, a game of bocce, or a summer concert. Pair it with a resort stay for a polished weekend, or make it your first stop before exploring more of the valley’s under-sung tasting rooms. Either way, you’ll come away with that familiar, contented feeling that a day of wine, friends, and California hills tends to bring.