23505 Alamitos Rd. San Jose, CA 95120
www.AlamitosVineyards.com
Region: Santa Clara Valley & Santa Cruz Mountains
Owners: Shaun Coleman & Chris Maune
Winemaker: George Troquato
About: Nestled in the historic hills of New Almaden Quicksilver Park, overlooking the shimmering Almaden Reservoir, Alamitos Vineyards is a labor of love born from immigrant roots and pioneering spirit. Our story traces back to the Azores Islands of Portugal, where Shaun Coleman’s grandfather, John Enos Vargas, honed his winemaking craft on the volcanic soils of Faial in the early 1910s. Sailing to California in 1923, he became a cornerstone of Livermore’s wine scene, crafting acclaimed whites—including Sauvignon Blanc for the legendary Old Almaden Winery—just miles from our estate. Today, Shaun, a Silicon Valley entrepreneur and grandson of that trailblazing vintner, partners with fellow innovator Chris Maune to revive this legacy on land once alive with quicksilver miners from Cornwall, Spain, and beyond.
Planted in 2015 with custom UC Davis clones on our five-acre estate, Alamitos honors the past while embracing the undiscovered. We’re passionate about unearthing heritage varietals that thrive in our unique microclimate—warm days cooled by evening reservoir breezes—yielding wines of depth and elegance. At the heart of our lineup is Touriga Nacional, Portugal’s crown jewel and a true underdog in California.
Guided by third-generation winemaker George Troquato’s minimal-intervention philosophy and regenerative farming, every bottle tells a tale of soil, history, and innovation. What makes us a perfect pour for the Festival of Undiscovered Grapes? We’re rekindling Almaden Valley’s vinous heritage—once a viticultural hub—with grapes that whisper forgotten stories, from Azorean voyages to Gold Rush echoes. Join us to taste the thrill of the overlooked: where tech-savvy pioneers meet ancient vines, crafting sips that bridge yesterday’s grit with tomorrow’s grace. Alamitos Vineyards isn’t just wine—it’s a resurrection of the wild, wondrous underdogs shaping California’s soul.
What is your favorite undiscovered grape? Our favorite undiscovered grape to work with at Alamitos Vineyards is Touriga Nacional, our estate-grown Portuguese varietal. This grape is a hidden gem in California, often overshadowed by its role in Port but brimming with untapped potential. We love its small, intense berries that yield concentrated flavors—think vibrant violet, black cherry, and subtle spice—crafted into our standout wines like the “Andorinha” Red, “Laura’s Love” Rosé, and “Umunhum” Port. Its versatility lets our winemaker, George Troquato, play with styles, from bold blends to elegant solo expressions, all shaped by our New Almaden microclimate’s warm days and cool reservoir breezes. Touriga Nacional’s rarity in the region and its ability to tell a story of heritage and innovation make it a perfect fit for the Festival of Undiscovered Grapes, showcasing the bold, overlooked character we’re passionate about bringing to life.
What was your first experience with an undiscovered grape? My first encounter with a lesser-known grape was Touriga Nacional, our estate-grown Portuguese varietal at Alamitos Vineyards. I’d known it as a backbone of Port, celebrated for its rich, fortified depth, but its versatility caught me completely off guard. Years ago, while exploring our New Almaden terroir, we planted Touriga Nacional, intrigued by its potential beyond dessert wines. When we first vinified it, I was stunned by its range—vibrant notes of violet, black cherry, and spice unfolded in ways I hadn’t imagined. It shone as a bold red in our “Andorinha,” a crisp rosé in “Laura’s Love,” and even a nuanced Port in “Umunhum.”
What do you love most about the undiscovered grapes? What I love most is how the unassuming Touriga Nacional, so rare in California, could adapt so brilliantly to our warm days and cool reservoir breezes, revealing a chameleon-like character that bridged heritage and innovation in every glass.
