Multi-Use Wine Center in Gilroy to Open for Fall “Crush”
Gilroy, CA: Local vintners Janu and Jason Goelz (Jason-Stephens Winery) and Tim Slater (Sarah’s Vineyard) are hard at work readying The Stomping Ground project for this fall’s grape harvest. In April, the trio purchased a seven acre vacant industrial property on Brem Lane, just off Highway 101 in Gilroy. They are transforming the site into a wine production, cellaring, storage, and fulfillment facility; plans also call for hospitality operations in the form of tasting rooms, food vendors, and entertainment.
The initial development phase is well under way, with an eye to the upcoming crush. Jason Goelz comments: “The last few months have been frantic but rewarding. Securing funding. Lining up contractors. Quickly demolishing and then rebuilding the two largest warehouses on the property. The work has been non-stop. Building One is complete with new insulating panels and refrigeration. It will be our Case Goods Warehouse, with 12,800 square feet of storage. And we’re finishing up the Main Building and Cellar; at 22,800 square feet, it will house our wine tanks and barrel storage.”
Co-owner Tim Slater is well aware that the clock is ticking: “Wineries that are planning on making their 2016 vintages at The Stomping Ground include Jason-Stephens, Roudon-Smith, and my Sarah’s Vineyard label. It may be that we’re “cutting the ribbon” right as the first grape trucks pull up to the crush pad. But we’ll be ready.”
The first official TSG occupant is Jason-Stephens Winery itself. “We’ve already moved our winemaking equipment and barrels from our old Watsonville Road location,” explains Janu Goelz. “And we are putting the finishing touches on our new visitor center and tasting room. There is no going back – we’ll be making wine here in just a few weeks! And our loyal J-S fans will find us open for daily sampling and purchasing here before the end of the month. We’ll be making an official announcement on that very soon.”
“The Stomping Ground will be Silicon Valley’s coolest new food and wine destination,” Ms. Goelz continues. We’re very excited to be approaching the first of many harvests at TSG!”
The Stomping Ground is located at 6500 Brem Lane, near the Gilroy Premium Outlets and the Gilroy Crossing Shopping Center. The development’s online home is TheStompingGround.com
