First time surpassed my expectations beautiful location, friendly staff definitely will be back! Special Thank you to Dawn for service with a smile read more

Fortino Winery - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Gilroy, California

See all

A Great Spot for Pizza, Less So for Wine We came here for a birthday party. The place is nice, and the staff is more than friendly. One heads-up: you can't bring your own drinks, not even water, since they want you to buy theirs. That would be fair if they offered a full selection, but they don't carry sparkling water, which we're big fans of. They serve pizza on weekends, and I have to give a shout-out here: the pizza was great! Crispy crust, good cheese, and a nice hint of garlic. Now for what could be better. At a winery, you'd expect some good wines. Sadly, not here. The white selection was limited to Pinot Grigio. It was a bit watery but pretty good, and unfortunately they ran out of it. This year's Rosé has the sweetness of unfermented grape juice. It's so heavy you can barely drink it without diluting it with water. The red, Cask 140, is the most expensive on the list. I don't think I've ever tasted such a dense red. If you're hoping for nuanced flavors, you won't find them here. Everything is overpowered by prune, and it's very tannic. So of the three wines we tried, two I'd never order again, and the one decent option ran out. Honestly, this place feels more like Fortino Pizzeria than Fortino Winery. read more

We stopped in for a sweet flight on a warm, sunny Saturday afternoon and had a pleasant time. I was jonesing to try their almond wine but found that was not part of the sweet flight even though it was on a menu I saw and later saw that of the bottles on their racks the almond one is the only one sold out. Darn. Of the sweet flight I would say the raspberry was my least favorite and it was a toss up between blackberry or pomegranate although nothing so good that we ended up buying a bottle of anything. The person who served our wine flight was really nice and made the experience pleasant. We had a friend who doesnt drink so she gave him a glass of water to feel "included" which I thought was pretty awesome. They had a guitarist play live music that day which was nice. Would come back and highly recommend. read more

Fortino Winery - Sweet flight - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Gilroy, California

See all

Stopped by fortino winery on a Sunday afternoon for a tasting. It was a lovely day weather wise, and there were many people outside at the tables. There was also live music, which was a really nice touch! Fortino winery also serves flatbreads and small bites that are delicious and I recommend choosing one off their menu and enjoying! The wines were typical of South county and as expected. I liked the vibe at fortino winery and I would recommend trying it if you've never been. read more

I made a reservation here for my birthday in May. The whole experience was amazing. I would definitely come back here again in the future. The staff was amazing. Everything was thoroughly explained, and all my questions I had asked were answered. Beautiful view of the mountains, very relaxing, beautiful scenery, and very delicious wine! Definitely will be back in the future read more

A "hidden" gem (at least for me as I don't normally jump onto Hecker) with delicious wine, friendly staff, and a lot of space.

We enjoyed our visit to fortino- not so. Much the unique fruit wines (the pomegranate was the best) but very much their other wines in the 25$ tasting menu - the cab and the zin were pretty good , the almond dry white wine was very good , fruity and nice . The service is excellent . We will be back for sure read more

This wineries grounds and tasting room are beautiful! We had the pleasure of doing our tasting with Bradley. He was super friendly and knowledgeable about both their wine and the winery's history. We ended up settling on a bottle of the Chardonnay to enjoy right then at a table on their large outdoor patio, as well as a Malbec for the road. A friend of ours came a little later, and Bradley was so awesome to let her continue her tasting outside, checking in on her with her next taste every 5 or so minutes so that she could also enjoy the sun and live music with us =) read more

Absolutely love everything about Fortino winery. From the owners, to the staff, the food, the venue and ofcourse the wine, you feel like family every time you are there. We've enjoyed so many fun events at Fortino Winery whether it's dancing to a cover band or enjoying food and wine with friends we always look forward to our next visit. I highly recommend their almond champagne. Nothing quite like it read more

Good atmosphere, reasonable prices, friendly staff. Will definitely come back again. Pizza was excellent.

Beautiful winery with amazing wine and even better people! The staff is top-notch--so friendly and knowledgeable. We loved having a food truck on-site to pair with the wine. Looking forward to next time! read more

I recently shot a wedding at Fortino Winery, and I was genuinely surprised at how lovely this little gem of a venue is! The bridal suite is big, bright, and perfect for a wedding day--tons of space to spread out while the bridal party gets ready. There's also a cute little barn area that was ideal for the first look--super charming. Now let's talk about the ceremony site... wow. It's beautiful, spacious, and feels totally private--like stepping into a whole other world. Such a perfect backdrop for a romantic, intimate wedding. The staff? Absolutely amazing. Some of the friendliest and most helpful people I've worked with. I instantly connected with Bri--she truly cares about making sure everyone has a great time, and it shows. I enjoyed working here so much that I even asked to be added to their preferred vendor list! If you're looking for a cozy winery venue that still feels spacious and magical, Fortino Winery is definitely worth checking out. read more

See all

This is a tough review to write because I liked the winery, but not the wine. My friends and I visited Fortino Winery for a tasting on a Saturday afternoon, and had no issues showing up as walk-ins. The indoor space was roomy and pleasant - wood everywhere, a very large bar, and snacks available for purchase. There was only one counter to order at, so we waited in line for bit, but it did move quickly. We all decided to get wine flights, for which they had two options - the Premium Red Wine Flight ($20) and the Red & White Wine Flight ($18). We paid inside and were given a number to bring out to the patio. The patio seating area was pleasant and sunny (and dog friendly), but there was zero shade. We were able to easily snag a table and it didn't take long at all for our flights to come out. While we absolutely enjoyed the vibes, the wine is where the experience unfortunately fell short. Out of the Premium Red Wine Flight, I didn't really love any of the wines, but the Charbono was probably the best of the bunch. My friends with the Red & White Wine Flight were also disappointed, especially by the Vin Rose (way too sweet) and Pinot Noir. The Merlot was their favorite of the four, but it was just okay. Worth the visit for the ambiance, but not sure if I'd return for more wine! read more

See all

Spent a great afternoon at Fortinos winery yesterday...Great wine and entertainment. The owners invited the Gavilan college ensemble band to play that day. The kids rocked the house! I thought it was great the owners invited them to play there. Most of those kids might not get a chance to place at a large venue like that.. the staff was great and what a beautiful setting. our large party had a very pleasant afternoon. we will be going back there again soon! read more

I decided to have a small birthday gathering here last weekend - about 10 people. I called ahead and ask if they take reservations, They said usually not, but they took down my information anyways. The lady on the phone was super friendly and answered other questions I had. They opened at 12pm and we arrived about 10 minutes early. They have indoor and outdoor seating and we prompted for outside since it was turning out to be good weather. They have picnic tables and regular tables set up right outside the winery. They did let us know they were short staffed due to multiple employees being out with Covid. Once seated, we ordered a few items to get started while the rest of the group arrived. Throughout the day, we tried the whole food menu (limited items, but not complaining): -Charcuterie board -Potato Soup -Cheesy Garlic Bread -Meatballs Everything was delicious! The cheesy garlic bread and the meatballs with pasta were a hit! The charcuterie board was yummy. The soup was good, but I wouldn't order again - just my personal preference. For wine, I ordered the sweet wine flight and the wine fish bowl. I really enjoyed the wine flight. All the wines were pretty good, but the almond one was my favorite! I went home with two bottles of that. The fish bowl was good - especially for sharing with others. The thing I loved about this place is that it has a variety drink options - wine, beer, mimosas, slushy drinks and micheladas! Something for everyone, since not everybody drinks wine. The staff, although short staffed were very friendly and attentive when able. There were no issues with the service and we had a great time celebrating my birthday. We even brought a cake and they stored it away until we were ready to bring it out. Not all places do that, so it was very nice of them. Overall great experience and I look forward to coming here again! read more

See all

I absolutely LOVE this venue. I'm so happy that their quarterly ladies night events are now back. Tonight my friends and I joined tonight's theme: pajama party! Great snacks, tasty wines. My fave is the almond sparkling wine. DJ was ok. Could have used some more updated music and a bit more variety. But nevertheless, the music was still good for dancing. Can't wait until the next one. Disco nite next please. read more

See all

The go-to spot for me and my family for sparkling almond wine. When we camped at Mt Madonna, we had to make a pit stop here to pick some up! Would 100% recommend the sparkling almond wine. Especially for anyone still exploring their taste in wine / not into wine as much, this basically tastes like a cider. One of the best sparkling wines I've had. The bread was soft, cheesy perfection. Would highly recommend. You can bring your dog here, your picnic spread here, and it's group friendly! I do wish they had the vibey area behind the wine cellar still opened with live music (maybe because it was a Sunday it was closed?), but otherwise love my experience here. read more

Fortino Winery - Cheesy bread - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Gilroy, California

Their wine was terrible. Sorry great venue however the wine was not great. Reds were not good. They lacked body, substance & maturity. Very dissatisfied. Would not come here again. 1 star just for location. read more

Fun place--nice spot! Found this on the way to Mount Madonna. They have a wide selection of flights and it's cool because you can do a wine, beer or cider flight. All tables are very far apart (I was 20 feet+ away from others) so that was nice. It's outdoors so be prepared to bring a jacket. I had the flight and charcuterie board which was delicious! I got the red and white flight so it offered some chardonnay to try and a nice blend. The Maribella was one of my favorites! This was soooo good. The cab sav was not my favorite in the bunch which I was surprised for. The staff are very nice and my server was very attentive. It's nice scenery too. You can see the grape vines and some barrels. Great photo ops if that's what you're into! Overall I'd definitely go back here again. You can also bring your own food and picnic with friends and loved ones. Super cool! read more

See all

Dawn was amazing. She helped me get my 18+ party organized and kept in contact with me for the weeks leading up to the event. The only major bummer was that we weren't able to be in the area where they have outdoor events because there was an event the night before. It all worked out just wish I knew that the space wasn't going to be available. Honestly not even a big deal as the service was great and so were the wine slushies!! Thanks again! read more

LOVE LOVE LOVE this place!! Super light sweet almond and raspberry wines were my favorites, and I devoured the garlic bread. The froze was a tad too sweet, but all the special wine drinks were perfectly crafted and flavorful. I also had the Champagne Punch and Strawberry Sparkler. TRY THE PUNCH! So so tasty! Minus 1 star for the charcuterie board. $35 for super basic food. The capicola was disgusting. The veins were stringly and stood out. Mouth feel was a -10. read more

See all

This is actually the first winery I've ever been to since I turned of legal drinking age. I was never a big fan of wine which is why I didn't care for wineries but this place changed my mind! I love wines now, especially white wines! My boyfriend and I came here on a weekday and it was so calming and peaceful. We had such a great time here! Thank you so much Fortino Winery! read more

Fortino Winery - View - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Gilroy, California

See all

We came to Fortino for wine tasting over the summer when wine slushes were just starting. I've been here in the past and always loved their wines but this year was probably my least favorite. The slush is Instagram worthy for sure but far too sugary, and didn't really taste like the flavor we ordered, and the wines weren't very good. Some of our group tried the red flight while others tried the mixed flight. It's no longer the standard winery wine tasting experience, it's similar to a wine bar now where you are seated, there's outdoor live music, and you order flights and food from a waitress. Trying to get our check from the staff took a while because they were clearly short staffed at the time. Hoping next season will be better. read more

Fortino Winery - Red wine flight - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Gilroy, California

See all

Lots of outdoor seating where the vineyard is. I don't believe there's indoor seatings. It was a hot day so we were glad that the menu had white wine and beer flights. This place is great for beer and wine lovers. Each table had a shaded umbrella so that helped with the heat a bit. There was also a slushee drink we saw people ordered. We didn't get to try though. There's also a menu for some cheese and charcuterie board and other food items. Service was quick and attentive. The menu stand got blown by the wind and knocked one of my husband's wine glass down and spilled all over him. Our waitress came by quickly to help clean up and gave him a new glass. We saw another staff hurry and put down all the menus on the table to avoid falling down on other customers. read more

See all

Great service here! Ask for Silvia! She is awesome! She has great customer service skills! Ask for the watermelon slushie!

We frequently visit Fortino Winery, and each visit is always a great experience. The staff greets us with warmth and provides great hospitality. Dawn and Sylvia are amazing and always lets us know about upcoming events and educates us on the different wines. The Fortino owners are also excellent people! The tasting room is very chic, modern, and cozy. Outdoor area is lovely and has a beautiful view of the hillsides making it a great place to host weddings, private parties and/or other events. The wine selection is impressive particularly the Marabella is a great go to for first time wine drinkers and is our personal favorite. Overall, Fortino Winery is a must-visit for both wine lovers and newcomers. They will provide a memorable experience that will keep you coming back! read more

First time visiting a winery in Gilroy and was pleasantly surprised. Tasting room and grounds were nice . Live music on Friday's and Saturday's is a plus. Opted to stay inside and sip a glass on this warm day. Taco truck (La Perrona" on site was authentic. Try their tacos you won't be disappointed. Look forward to coming back. read more

See all

Came here over the weekend to see Lavender Fieldw band. The food was great and the venue was very pretty. The wine and champagne left something to be desired. It is nice that they had other options like beer and cider as well. The charcuterie board and Chicken Florentine Flatbread were both scrumptious. The service was soso- with one waitress being asked for a wine recommendation and her answer was "I'm not 21 so I have no idea". read more

Fortino Winery - Top is the chicken florentine flat bread and charcuterie board - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Gilroy, California

Top of the line service and everyone was so welcoming. If you are looking for great tasting wine and great service, than this is your place. read more

Fortino Winery - Wine - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Gilroy, California

Nice and fun place to hang out and taste wine. Low key, they bring out a pre-poured flight with info sheets. Lots of snacks to purchase too, laid back and clean atmosphere. It was Christmas time and the decorations and cute holiday stuff for sale was a bonus. Staff was very friendly, their cat was also cute. read more

Came here last weekend with a group of friends and our two babies for Saturday brunch and we had a great time! Brunch was also delicious! Might have been the best bacon and chocolate covered strawberries I've ever had in my life! They have a $35 brunch buffet with one glass of mimosa option. Or a $50 brunch buffet with BOTTOMLESS mimosas. They had different kinds of juices and fruits to garnish your drinks! Will definitely come back for brunch here! After brunch we decided to get bottle of their almond champagne...so darn good!! read more

We had our wedding at Fortino Winery on November 13, 2021 and we are so happy that we did! We worked with the events team (Breann and Becca) who were experienced, professional, and easy to work with. The venue has beautiful spaces for ceremony, reception, and photos that are conveniently close to each other and beautiful especially at golden hour and in the evening under the string lights. Our guests were highly complimentary of Chef Daniel's food as well. On the wine side, I recommend the pinot grigio and Maribella red blend. The only critical feedback I'd give was that email responses were a little slow during the busiest parts of the wedding season, but all details were carefully taken care of in the end. We'd definitely recommend Fortino Winery to take care of ceremony venue, reception venue, food, and drink all at once! Parking, rentals, and security are also taken care of as part of their wedding package. Photos by Vivian Killin Photography read more

See all

Went to a couple wineries on a Saturday. This place was well decorated and welcoming. Their wines were pretty decent- the reds better than the whites. People that were there were nice. What bothers me is they allow a person to sell puppies. There was a litter of dogs being sold and it was just weird. People- don't buy dogs after drinking wine on a weekend. It's a 15 year commitment and the shelter should be the first choice for sourcing. read more

tldr: this place is dangerous; it was my first winery/tasting ever, and i ended up spending over $130 on bottles. don't blame me -- their fruit wines are just way too delicious! *** location/parking: the turn into this adorable winery can be easy to miss, so watch out! service: we stopped by ~30 minutes before closing, but austin was super nice and patient with us. we actually ended up staying past closing time finishing up our flights and making purchases, but he didn't rush us at all -- he even brought out glasses for us we didn't order! drinks: we got the sweet wine flight, and the extras were apricot fruit wine and the sparkling almond. the pomegranate fruit wine was our favorite! i'll definitely have to try the wine slushy next time! read more

Fortino Winery - the view! - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Gilroy, California

See all

Highly recommend, we had such a great time with my family at Fortino Winery today. Another winery up the street suggested, Fortino, and we're so glad they did. They were more than happy to seat our party within minutes, they had so much more food and wine options, the staff is so kind and made sure we had a great time and we did, Definitely will come back again! read more

See all

Such a great place!!! We took a small group of 11 people for a lunch and wine . This was way beyond our expectations. Our host Austin and Becca went above and beyond to make sure we were being taken care of. Had a great time. We were served Tri Tip and Chicken, which were heavenly!!! read more

See all

Beautiful vineyard the outdoor set up is absolutely beautiful, your able to walk the vineyard when you are finished have some glasses. The service is fast and efficient. The wine is amazing, you have an option of red or champagne flight. The only thing that sucked was the bees outside, they were trying to attack our meats and cheeses. I think this is just a summer thing. But will defiantly be back. read more

See all

We had such a great experience hosting our wedding at Fortino! The rates we got were significantly cheaper than anything else we saw in the Bay Area. We know they had to increase their rates recently but it's well worth it and probably still a great deal. Becca was an excellent coordinator- the ideal mix of easygoing and responsible. We had made a number of special requests relating to Jewish traditions and Fortino was very accommodating. The venue itself was gorgeous and the food was amazing. The outdoor space is comfortable and very open- perfect for a wedding during covid (or any other time!). Thank you again for making our special day so wonderful! Here are some photos, credit to Jenny Dee Photography. read more

See all

This was our 3rd stop on my friend's birthday celebration and definitely the best. The Almond Champagne was an amazing treat! I ended up buying 3 bottles that day and returning the following week for 4 more. Hey.. Don't judge! The customer service and property is just as amazing. The kind service, picnic tables with picturesque views, and a "game a horseshoes!" Made for a great time. read more

Fortino Winery - Bought 3 of these with my Almond Champagne and I just love them being on display in my kitchen lol - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Gilroy, California

Great service and delicious wine for a Sunday afternoon of relaxation and conversion with friends!