Owner-Operator: Ed Muns, a former technology manager in Silicon Valley, acquired his viticulture knowledge from Northern California wine-growers and extension courses at the UC Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology while establishing his own vineyard. Ed is hands-on in the vineyard, overseeing the crew and handling all the tractor work. Outside the vineyard, Ed is an avid Ham radio contester (W0YK) and holds world records in the field. Both Ed and Mary have enjoyed sailing and racing Hobie Cats and monohulls, though the demands of the vineyard and winery have recently limited their time on the water.

Partner: Mary Lindsay manages marketing and sales for Muns Vineyard wines, marking her second career. Formerly, she was President of Lindsay Public Relations, where she shaped the image and messaging for young high-tech companies in Silicon Valley. Mary also handles marketing for Silver Mountain Vineyards and previously managed their tasting room on Cannery Row in Monterey. She is President of the Viticulture Association of the Santa Cruz Mountains (VASCM), supports various winery groups, and assists in the vineyard, particularly during harvest. Her additional interests include foraging for wild mushrooms, collecting rocks, and knitting.

We hold tours of the vineyard on specific scheduled dates (please see our Events page), and will provide address and directions with your reservation. We participate in Passport Day at Vino Locale, 431 Kipling St., Palo Alto  650-328-0340 . 

Big Basin Vineyards was founded in 1998 on an historic site in the Santa Cruz Mountains next to Big Basin Redwoods State Park. The old ranch property was first settled in the late 1800s. Wine grape cultivation had been started by French immigrants by the early 1900s and continued until 1965 when the property was sold by Justin Lacau, who had named the property "Frenchy's Ranch", to a timber company. By the 1990s, all that remained of the vineyards were redwood stakes and scattered vines hidden by brush and poison oak bushes. The mission has been to restore this historic vineyard site using modern, organic viticultural methods. The winery building was completed in December 2003 on the same site as the original 1890s house/winery structure which burned down in the 1970s. It is a 'Monitor'-style barn with a timber frame construction built using redwood selectively harvested from the estate.

Visit the Tasting Room in Aptos

Aptos Vineyard invites visitors to its tasting room located in Aptos Village, nestled between Akira and Starbucks. Guests can enjoy a selection of wines on the outdoor patio, which features a fire pit and umbrellas, or inside the cozy space. The tasting room proudly offers a variety of wines, including classic Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, as well as rare-to-Santa Cruz varietals like Merlot, sourced from multiple winemakers. Visitors are welcome to stop by during open hours or secure their spot with a reservation.

Founded in the early 1990's, Oscocalis represents the second generation of small American distillers to use combination of Old World techniques with New World fruit. California brandy makers have the advantage (and the challenge!) of being abe to blend a large number of grape varieties together for a more complex and nteresting brandy, where as French law strictly limits this practice.