The winery's general manager, Martin Hoellrigl, said this week that they wanted to bring their wines "a little bit closer" to their many wine-club members who live on the Midpeninsula.
"But of course, for the wine-loving society, we want to prepare a new venue that is hip and modern yet real and not -- whats the word? Not pretentious," he added.
Byington has taken over 366 Main St., the former home of clothing store Therapy.
Byington, first established in 1987, makes about 20 wines from grapes grown at both the original Los Gatos winery and at a 240-acre ranch in Alexander Valley (which is in Sonoma County). The Alexander Valley wines are marketed under a second brand called Tin Cross.
Byington Vineyard & Winery in Los Gatos. Photo courtesy Byington.
While Byington's "flagship" wine is pinot noir — there are eight acres dedicated to this varietal at the original vineyard — the winery also makes a petit syrah, chardonnay, merlot, cabernet sauvignon, sauvignon blanc, petit verdot, cabernet franc and blends, Hoellrigl said. There’s also a sangiovese that they made in Italy by flying a winemaker to Tuscany.
Byington wines are made "in the pure and natural fashion" — no chemicals, and everything is done manually, Hoellrigl said.
Most Byington wines will be available at the new tasting room, he said. There will also be some snacks available.
While there's a tasting room at the winery, the Los Altos location will be Byington's first freestanding one.
Hoellrigl said they hope to be open this fall, in October or November.
