Winery Descriptions

Santa Cruz Mountains Wineries

These are some of the wineries that we visit frequently. Some of them you are only able to visit with the Santa Cruz Experience so check with us before making plans. Feel free to call us if you have any questions about any of the wineries listed below. We have included a description and their daily tasting fess for your convenience.

Soquel Foothills Wineries

Soquel Vineyards

Established by twin brothers Peter and Paul Bargetto, Soquel Vineyards is perched above the town of the same name on a hill side in the Santa Cruz Mountains. With sweeping views of the hills leading down to town and out into the Pacific Ocean, the Bargettos have created a winery that offers not only a variety of very special wines, but magnificent beauty both inside and outside the tasting room as well.
Tasting Fee: $5

Poetic Cellars
Poetic Cellars, one of the newest wineries in the Santa Cruz Mountains, is set amidst the rolling, oak-studded hills and the solitude of a country estate. This is the perfect place to relax and enjoy fine wine in an unhurried, tranquil atmosphere. Winemaker Katy Lovell is dedicated to creating poetry in the bottle from the finest sources she can farm and find.
Tasting Fee: $5

Hunter Hill Vineyard
Hunter Hill Vineyard has been in the Slatter family for over 100 years and for a long time boasted apple orchards. In 1990 Christine and Vann decided they wanted to try their hands at wine and began to plant merlot among other varietals. Now the south facing slope of the Hunter Hill winery is entirely covered with vines including syrah, pinot noir, and merlot, and the Slatters are happy to be making some of Santa Cruz County’s best wines.
Tasting Fee: $5

Bargetto Winery
Bargetto Winery has been producing wines in the Santa Cruz Mountains since 1933. They specialize in estate grown varietals from their Regan Estate Vineyards in the Santa Cruz Mountains, overlooking the beautiful Monterey Bay.
Tasting Fee: $5

Corralitos Wineries

Alfaro Vineyards
Come taste the difference - Alfaro’s estate grown and bottled Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Syrah reflect the unique terrior of Corralitos, at the southern end of the Santa Cruz Mountains appellation. After a long and satisfying career as the founder of a restaurant and the wholesale baking company known under his own name – Alfaro’s Micro Bakery -Richard Alfaro shifted gears in 1997, acquiring an aging 75 acre apple farm south of Santa Cruz in Corralitos, California, which he and wife Mary Kay (a certified sommelier) subsequently transformed into the beautiful Alfaro Family Vineyards & Winery.
Tasting Fee: $10

Nicholson Vineyard
This family owned vineyard run by Marguerite and Brian Nicholson is located in the Aptos foothills in Pleasant Valley. The Nicholson family has been growing grapes since 1996 and now have started an Italian olive tree project as well. The first time we met Marguerite she gladly welcomed us onto their vineyard and showed us where they make their estate Pinot and Chardonnay. With our tour you too will get to personally meet Marguerite and have the same wonderful experience among their vines that we had.
Tasting Fee: $10

Pleasant Valley Vineyards
Pleasant Valley Vineyards was established by Craig and Cathy Handley in 1996. Nestled in its own private enclave, the family estate vines surround a cathedral grove of coastal redwoods. There are two petite vineyards of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay planted in select French Dijon clones. The property encompasses a five-acre bowl on the western ridge within Pleasant Valley in Aptos, California, a part of the Santa Cruz Mountains Appellation.
Tasting Fee: $10 – 20

Summit Wineries

Byington Winery
Byington winery was founded in the 1980′s but the land has been in the Byington family since the early 50′s. It is undeniably one of the most serene and beautiful places we have ever been in the Santa Cruz area, not to mention, it offers one of the best tasting experiences around. The bocci ball, picnic setting, and views of the pacific ocean make this one of the most aesthetically pleasing stops on our tour.
Tasting Fee: $5

David Bruce
David Bruce Winery was one of 12 California wineries to participate in the now famous 1976 “Judgment of Paris,” in which California Cabernets and Chardonnays outscored French Bordeaux and Burgundies in a blind tasting in France. Since then, David Bruce wines have consistently taken top honors in competitive tastings. Most recently, the 1997 Central Coast Pinot Noir ranked in the Wine Spectator “Top 100-The Most Exciting Wines of 1999.”
Tasting Fee: Groups of 9 or less: Free! Groups of 10 or more: $10

Loma Prieta Vineyards
You may recognize the Loma Prieta name from the famous earthquake of 1989, but the Santa Cruz Mountains also play host to this award winning winery and vineyard estate. Located at about 2,300 feet in these mountains, the winery offers spectacular views of Santa Cruz and Monterey. They also offer handcrafted wines produced in small lots and barrel aged in the finest oak.
Tasting Fee: $5

Regale Winery
With a nod to the Old World virtues of “Table-conscious” winemaking and gracious cordiality, Regale crafts a terroir-driven collection of elegant wines offered for taste and purchase exclusively at the winery and through their membership. Everything at Regale Winery and Vineyards – choice of vineyards, winemaking philosophy and style, and their spectacularly original wine experience – reflects a belief that wine is inseparable from food and belongs among the pleasures of the table.
Tasting Fee: $10

Silver Mountain Vineyards
Silver Mountain Vineyards is the epitome of a boutique winery. The winemaker and owner Jerold O’brien offers handcrafted chardonnay, pinot noir and zinfandel. Silver Mountain is located deep in the Santa Cruz mountain range and boasts incredible panoramic views of the entire bay area. Between its beauty and its exceptional wine it is a treat to be able to offer a tour of this unforgettable winery.
Tasting Fee: $5 – 10

West Side Santa Cruz Wineries

Pelican Ranch Winery
Pelican Ranch Winery, run by Phil and Peggy Crews, is nestled right next to a bakery on the Northwestern edge of Santa Cruz proper. They specialize in Rhone blends as well as pinot noir and dessert wines. Phil is always there with a smile and a wealth of information, ready to pour wines and explain to his patrons the process he utilizes in making his unique wines.
Tasting Fee: $3

Equinox Wines
Equinox continues the tradition of the methode champenoise, producing only sparkling wines in the time-honored way. Hand-selected Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from varied micro-climates of the Santa Cruz Mountains are gently whole-cluster pressed, with the delicate juice barrel-fermented in seasoned oak. The new wine is aged sur-lie, until the cuvee is blended in the sprina. The bottled wine is aged en tirage for three years. The dosage (the mixture of cognac, wine and sugar) finishes the wine with a rich, full texture on the palate, but with a very dry finish.
Tasting Fee: $5

Sones Cellars
Sones Cellars is a small family winery located on the Westside in Santa Cruz, California. Their goal is to produce small lots of fine quality, distinctively Californian wines from grape varieties that flourish in California. Their primary focus is on Petite Sirah and Zinfandel.
Tasting Fee: $5

Storrs Wines
“At Storrs, with each new day, we strive to make the best, ever better. This thinking extends not only to each and every barrel, but to those choices along life’s path that move us daily from the expected to the exceptional.”
Tasting Fee: $5

Bonny Doon Vineyards and Randall Graham
The creative and eccentric Randall Graham and his Bonny Doon vineyards are some of the most famous in Santa Cruz. Bonny Doon winery is located in the Swift Street Vintners area on Ingalls Street. They always have new wines to try at their winery and their staff are both pleasant and helpful.  There is also a delightful eatery inside the tasting room know as the Cellar Door.
Tasting Fee: $7

Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyards
For 30 years, Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard was located at one of the oldest continuously operated vineyards in California, originally established in 1863 as the Jarvis Brothers Vineyard. Ken Burnap started the winery in 1975, setting out to make the finest Pinot Noir possible in California. Ken had done years of research into what conditions were necessary to produce good Pinot Noir, and the Santa Cruz Mountains region ended up being his final choice as the area with the greatest potential for excellent wines. The first release under the Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard label was the highly regarded 1975 vintage.
Tasting Fee: $5

Beauregard Vineyards
Beauregard Vineyards is a family run operation focused on luscious, hand crafted wines. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel all call the Santa Cruz Mountains home. Beauregard invites you to visit their Bonny Doon home to inhale the redwood trees, see the winking aqua blue waters of the Monterey Bay and of course, savor the fruits of labor – Beauregard Vineyard wines.
Tasting Fee: $10

Vino Tabi Winery
Vino Tabi is located in the wine village on the west side of town with 8 other premium wineries. They provide a first-rate micro-crush wine facility, together with the best winemakers, wine education instructors, professional staff and progressive, fun learning events to bring the world of winemaking to life for you!
Tasting Fee: $5

Saratoga and Cupertino Foothills Wineries

Cinnabar
With the Pacific Ocean to the west and San Francisco Bay to the east, Cinnabar’s “island vineyards” overlook Silicon Valley from the eastern rim of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Cool breezes roll off the bay each afternoon and modify a temperate climate that is ideal for grape growing. The routine pattern of warm, sunny days and cool nights slowly ripens fruit and enhances its structure.  Unfortunately, you can’t visit their lush estate, however, you can visit their charming tasting room in downtown Saratoga to taste their wonderful array of award winning wines that originate in their “island vineyard”.
Tasting Fee: $5 – 10

Cooper-Garrod
The charming and rustic Cooper-Garrod winery is set on a hillside just above Saratoga. They specialize in a variety of Grapes including Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Viognier. The Cooper-Garrod vineyards have been in the family for over 100 years making it a well established land mark in the Santa Cruz mountain appellation.  The historic site is home to a lively equestrian community, hosting a variety of year round horse related activities and competitions.  It is important to note that Copper-Garrod makes their wine exclusively from estate grown grapes, a true rarity in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Tasting Fee: $5

Fellom Vineyards
Fellom Vineyards grows their fruit at the peak of the Santa Cruz Mountain Range. Please call us for an appointment as they are a completely private winery.
Tasting Fee: Private Tastings Only.

Naumann Vineyards
Naumann Vineyards Wines are grown exclusively in the Santa Cruz Mountain Appelation. Their Estate Merlot is grown at 2,000 foot elevation on an eastern facing slope overlooking the Silicon Valley. All work in the vineyard is performed by hand. They cultivate for low yield, high quality, intense fruit in order to produce extraordinary wines.  The wine is extremely limited in production and the estate vineyard is open only to a very select number of private groups.  For serious merlot and chardonnay lovers and wine buyers, Naumann Vineyards is guaranteed to be the highlight of your tour.
Tasting Fee: Private Tastings Only.

Picchetti Vineyards
Located on a historic ranch a short drive from the Silicon Valley, Picchetti Winery is one of the oldest wineries in California. Picchetti offers a variety of award winning wines from various regions, specialty foods and wine accessories. The winery complex is open daily from 11 to 5PM for wine tasting and picnics as well as visitors interested in the history or a beautiful hike on the nearby trails.
Tasting Fee: $5

Ridge Vineyards
When it comes to wine Ridge takes a straightforward approach: find intense, flavorful grapes; intrude upon the process only when necessary; draw the fruit’s distinctive character and richness into the wine.  A visit to their beautiful mountain top property will confirm everything you’ve heard regarding Ridge’s amazing wines and unbeatable vies and atmosphere.
Tasting Fee: $5

Savannah-Chanelle
Savannah-Chanelle was established in 1892 and holds some of the Santa Cruz Mountain’s oldest vines. The winery was purchased in 1996 by the Ballard family who decided to name it after their daughters. At Savannah-Chanelle you will get to taste 7 different wines including some of California’s best Pinot Noir.
Tasting Fee: $10

Scotts Valley Wineries

Heart O’ The Mountain Winery
A amily owned winery, producing handcrafted ultra-premium Pinot Noir from a small, hillside, estate vineyard. They believe that by focusing on one variety in an area ideally suited for Pinot Noir we have an opportunity to make a truly exceptional, rare wine.
Tasting Fee: Private Groups Only. Please call us to make a reservation.

Roudon-Smith
Roudon-Smith is a small winery run by Al Drewke and located in The Santa Cruz Mountains on Bear Creek road. At Roudon-Smith traditional winemaking methods result in elegant, long-lived wines, which are the perfect complement to any meal.
Tasting Fee: $8

Vine Hill
Today’s Vine Hill Winery is owned by Nick Guerrero and a group of friends. The winery produces the Gatos Locos brand, or Crazy Cats. Pinot Noir is the winery’s focus and the wine is inspired by the people of Santa Cruz and their fresh perspective.
Tasting Fee: $10

Los Gatos Wineries

Black Ridge Vineyards
Overlooking the majestic slopes of the Santa Cruz Mountains, nearly sixty miles south of San Francisco and only three miles outside of downtown Los Gatos, lie eighty pristine acres forming Black Ridge Vineyards. Here, the estate’s elevation and geographic orientation is ideal for protection from the harsh coastal winds and lingering fog to receive a full day of sun. The vineyard micro-climate also benefits from the Lexington Reservoir half a mile below. These perfect growing conditions are instrumental in producing high-quality, highly approachable wines.

Tasting Fee: $15

Testarossa Winery
Testarossa is located near downtown Los Gatos at the historic Novitiate winery. Operating since the late 1800′s it is the oldest winery in the appellation and specializes in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.