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Rapazzini Winery

4350 Monterey Road
Gilroy, CA 95020
(408) 842-5649

Tasting:   Open daily 9-5pm winter, 9-6pm summer
Tasting is complimentary
10% case discount
Amenities:
  Chateau de Garlic wine
Price Range:   $6 to $22 per bottle
Established:   1962

Rapazzini Winery Description

This tasting room, with its grape-eating Bacchus icon, has been a fixture along Highway 101 for over 40 years. The metal-roofed building greets you with a pair of giant doors made from the staves of a huge wine barrel.

Inside the generously sized tasting room is an extensive gift shop with glassware, lots of wine accessories, garlic-related items (remember, you’re in Gilroy - the garlic capital of the world), olive oils, salsas, aprons, trivets, and a cooler filled with refreshing non-alcoholic drinks. The 40-foot-long tasting bar has a very cool hammered-copper-topped counter. A beautiful rock fireplace stands in the corner.

The mood here is kitschy and a bit worn, but the range of wines and the gift shop make it a stop well worth considering. The winery sources grapes from all over California and makes Gewurztraminer, Johannesburg Riesling, White Zinfandel, Sangiovese, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Syrah, Viognier, Muscat, Malvasia Bianca, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Apribella, Cream Marsala, Tawny Port, Berry Berry, Raspberry Delight and Chateau de Garlic. Most of their production is sold from the tasting room.

Rapazzini Winery Features

Ambiance Types of Wine Amenities
Family Run
Country Charm
Casual & Relaxed
Cabernet Sauvignon
Italian
Gift Shop - Special
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Rapazzini Winery Reviews

Staff Knowledge & Friendliness
Amenities, Comfort & Cleanliness
Value
Wine Quality
Overall Impressions
Rapazzini Winery
Paul_McCrone, Salinas
Rapazzini Winery is an establishment that is easily found right on the US 101 (Northbound) Roadside as you just enter Gilroy from the south. So, access is easy enough. It is a nice place, clean, though the atmospherics - being right next to a highway - aren't the best. The Owner is a very friendly guy. The fellow that waited on me was a more subdued guy. Helpful enough, though not especially talkative. The WINE was great. I really liked the Sauvignon Blanc, followed closely by the Cabernet. Both were excellent. My least favorite wine was their Apribella Wine, which is a white desert wine. Perhaps I just have no sense for quality desert wines, but it was just too sweet for me. I do recommend stopping at Rapazzini's because the regular wine is quite good, and the prices were good also. I actually stop there often for both their SB and Cab. They also easily support shipping their wine to most places around the country; I have had no trouble with shipping across the country and my friends at the other end reported getting the wine in about a week or so.

Staff Knowledge & Friendliness
Amenities, Comfort & Cleanliness
Value
Wine Quality
Overall Impressions
If you Love Garlic...
Lucy, San Jose
It is simple, I love garlic. I was so surprised and intrigued when I came across the Chateau de Garlic. I never imagined such a blend, although I was pleasantly surprised it was such a brilliant mixture of spices and scents that I was overwhelmed and left with a case. If garlic isn't your style you should not be deterred from visiting this vineyard they have so much to offer.

Review Disclaimer

The above reviews are the subjective opinion of Winery Advisor members and not of Winery Advisor LLC.

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