Wine barrel planters along the roadway lead you into the old winery at Hecker Pass. The facility goes back 30-plus years making Italian-style wines, including sweet dessert wines. Mario, a third-generation winemaker, came to California and established the winery in 1959 after learning the art of winemaking in Cosenza, Italy. Mario chose the southern Santa Clara Valley for its weather patterns of hot summer days and cool nights. All the Hecker Pass wines are made from estate-grown grapes.

The wood-framed winery and fermenting room were built in 1972. Their grapes are handpicked and naturally fermented in wood tanks, then pressed in an
old-style wooden basket press. Wines made include a California Chianti, Petite Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Carignane, and Grenache. On the dessert side are a Muscat wine, Ruby Port, Marsala and a Cream Sherry.

Inside the tasting room is a unique tasting bar hand-made from redwood and pecky cedar. There is a display of over 120 awards on the walls, along with a large map of Italy. Just outside the tasting room there is a lovely arbor-covered picnic area where guests of the winery are welcome to enjoy their picnic lunch. Wines are for sale at the winery only.