We discovered EmmaLily Vineyards through the Santa Clara Valley Wine Trail Pass Deck, which included a free tasting… sort of. It turns out that a wine tasting at EmmaLily Vineyards is always free.
To get to the winery, you can take a drive through the back roads of Morgan Hill, California. Located not far from Chesbro Reservoir County Park, you are not that far from downtown Morgan Hill, but the quiet Uas Valley behind El Toro Hill.
Emma Lilly Vineyards
2105 Dahlberg Drive
Morgan Hill, CA 95037
First Impressions
The tasting room for EmmaLily is in front of the family home for Steve and Laura Petersen, the owners of the vineyard. The name for the property comes from the names of their two daughters, Emma and Lily. So this is certainly a family-run winery, but don’t let that fool you. Their website is displaying multiple local awards for the winery itself as:
- Best of Morgan Hill
- Best Outdoor Wedding Venue
- Best Rustic Wedding Venue
- Best Affordable Wedding Venue
That’s not too shabby for an operation that is still a part-time job.
They produce microfermentations of 25 to 300 case lots and focus on Cabernet Sauvignon. Unusually, one-third of their wines are produced in large format bottles.
The Tasting: Red Wines that Hold Their Own
EmmaLily offers complimentary tastings every third Saturday and Sunday, 1–5 p.m., and the Petersens encourage visitors to pack a picnic.
The website says that the tasting room is 21+, but we saw families with kids, which gives me a mixed message.
We happened to visit during their Summer Vendor Fair, when different booths were set up in front of the winery with local vendors. There was a food truck outside from Siam Truck. Check out their calendar of events for what, if anything, is happening this weekend.
They have lots of comfortable seating and a “take a load off” kind of vibe that encourages you to linger. They have a bocce court, although no one was playing the weekend we visited. They also have a lovely hanging swing that is the size of a couch.
A typical tasting for them is this month’s:
- Monarch Merlot (2018) $100
- Malbec (2018) $100
- Madeline (2018) $100
- Emma Lee Clone 4 (2018) $200
- Cosmo’s Passion Estate Cab (2018) $180
- Laura’s Love Special Select (2018) $250
They have occasionally made a Chardonnay and a Rosé in the past, but they specialize in reds. Their Reds are great.
Some things make the tastings different at EmmaLily:
- The first thing you notice is that the wines are older than the wines being served at most other local wineries.
- The other difference is that most of these are Cabernets. Here, the variety is not from different grapes but different yeasts, years, and blends.
- The wines at EmmaLily are not cheap, with the wines in this month’s tasting ranging from $100 to $250 a bottle.
- They love veritcals where they sell you the same win but from multiple different years.
The Wine Club
I think I understand their wine club, but it is a different model. Buy six wines and you are in the wine club. Wine club members get 50% off wines. The wine club includes invitations to private events and a 50% discount to guests you bring. They won’t send you anything. They won’t card your card automatically, but your membership “includes two pickups a year of 6 bottles minimum.”
Exploring Morgan Hill: Beyond the Tasting Room
If you’re planning to make a day of it, Morgan Hill offers more than just wine. Stop by Giorgio’s or Trattoria 360 for Italian fare. Giorgio’s has a nice covered patio when weather permits.
If you’re visiting during spring or fall, consider hiking at Uvas Canyon County Park or exploring the Anderson Lake area, although the lake has had periodic closures, so check ahead.
Travel Tips
- Location: Just 10 minutes west of Morgan Hill, on Dahlberg Drive. The drive is part of the experience.
- Best time to visit: Spring and fall offer ideal weather, but tastings are held year-round.
- Group size: Best for small parties of 2–6. Larger groups should contact them directly.
- No Dogs: Leave Fideaux at home.
Where to Stay in the Area
If you’re aiming for convenience, La Quinta Inn & Suites and Holiday Inn Express sit just off Highway 101 with complimentary breakfast and indoor pools, practical perks if you’re hauling a case or two of Cabernet. Travelers craving a splurge can book a vineyard-view suite at nearby CordeValle Resort, though the greens fees may rival your wine tab. For a downtown vibe, the Hampton Inn Morgan Hill offers easy walking access to tasting rooms and dinner reservations.
Final Thoughts
Emma Lily Vineyards may not be on the main wine trail, but that’s exactly the point. It’s the kind of place that rewards those who explore a bit further, who take the back road instead of the highway. And when you find yourself sipping a perfectly aged Cabernet, it’s easy to forget the bigger wineries down the road.
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