Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz

Bonny Doon Vineyards

cluster of grapes

Bonny Doon Vineyard kicked off its adventure with a daring—if somewhat misguided—attempt to bring Burgundy vibes to California. But Randall Grahm soon discovered that the real magic lay in crafting distinctive and original wines using Rhône varieties right in the beautiful Central Coast. A delightful lesson learned (albeit by chance) was that blended wines absolutely flourish in a warm, Mediterranean climate. Who knew?

Fast forward to 1986, when Bonny Doon released its inaugural vintage of Le Cigare Volant (the 1984 vintage)—a playful homage to Châteauneuf-du-Pape. This wine quickly became the winery’s flagship starship brand, launching Bonny Doon into the hearts of wine lovers everywhere.

From that point, Bonny Doon Vineyard embarked on a wild ride of innovation! It led the charge in popularizing Rhône grapes across California and was the first to introduce cryo-extraction techniques for its whimsical “Vins de Glacière.” They also pioneered microbullage, embraced screwcaps for premium wines, and kicked off a true transparency revolution with ingredient labeling. Talk about a creative whirlwind that jazzed up the California wine scene—though it did come with a bit of a focus challenge!

As Bonny Doon grew, it became a home for fan-favorite brands like Big House, Cardinal Zin, and Pacific Rim, rocketing up to the 28th largest winery in the United States. But Randall had an epiphany—his beloved winery had drifted away from its original mission of making soulful, standout wines. While he relished those effortless restaurant reservations, he knew it was time for a change.

So, he bravely decided to part ways with the larger brands (Big House and Cardinal Zin in 2006, followed by Pacific Rim in 2010). With a fresh perspective, Bonny Doon Vineyard set out to create the unique and expressive wines that had always been its true passion. Wine lovers can now continue to enjoy this exciting evolution and savor the incredible wines that flow from this legendary vineyard.

Odonata Wines Salinas

Denis, Claire and others at Odanata Winery

Winemaker Denis Hoey released his first commercial vintage at the age of 21. He now blends old-world methods with new-world techniques to create nouveau-style wines. His goal is to produce wines that are rich, textured, and balanced, while respecting both terroir and varietal character. Hoey's success stems from meticulous attention to detail and the purposeful application of each step in the winemaking process, including grape sourcing, fermentation techniques, pressing regimens, barrel selection, and aging programs. The result is a line of clean, focused wines.

A native of Sacramento, Hoey grew up in a family that appreciated fine wines, exposing him to a diverse range of quality selections that helped refine his palate. In 2004, he graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz, with a degree in Business Management. Shortly after, he met Jeff Emery, the owner and winemaker at Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard. This relationship quickly evolved into an Old World apprenticeship for Hoey, who eventually became the production manager at SCMV before founding Odonata Wines in Santa Cruz in 2005.

Hoey honed many of his cellar practices at Bison Organic Brewery in Berkeley, where he worked with a more perishable product. This experience emphasized the importance of careful attention to spoilage organisms. He continues his education by following current trends in winemaking research from major universities and has traveled to Italy and France multiple times to gain a broader perspective on European winemaking techniques and varietal fidelity. His commitment to quality is evident in his practice of tasting frequently to maintain a sharp palate for the nuances of wine. He consistently challenges himself to improve by learning from the successes and missteps of others in the industry.

In 2014, Hoey and his wife, Claire, relocated to the Santa Lucia Highlands, where they are raising their family and operating Odonata Winery. Their property features a 2-acre vineyard, a production facility, a tasting room, and a welcoming patio where visitors can enjoy their unique wines.

Beuregards Vineyards

Cluster of grapes

In 1945 retired Sheriff Deputy Amos Beauregard purchased 157 acres of which 13 acres have been planted with winegrapes. Cabernet Saugivgon, Chardonnay, Zinfandel and an old grape know as Charabono were originally planted in 1880. Over the years Jim Beuregard has planted hundreds of acres of vines throughout the Santa Cruz Mountains and still maintains his 68 acres of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon. Jim and his family live on the estate and Ryan Beauregard is the Winemaker.

Chaucer's Cellars

people enjoying wine - by wine artist Agata

CHAUCER’S CELLARS, a division of BARGETTO WINERY, has been producing premium, award-winning meads for over 50 years.

Chaucer’s Mead is crafted from 100% natural honey. Their Raspberry Mead and Pomegranate Mead are blends of mead and a small portion of fruit wine. The Sparkling Mead is made from 100% organic honey, infused with orange and ginger essences.

This mead can be enjoyed chilled, as an accompaniment to various entrées and desserts, served with dried fruit, nuts, and cheeses, or used as an ingredient in mixed drinks. Visit the recipes and pairings page for ideas. Mead can be served chilled or mulled with the included spice packs, making it an excellent gift option.

Pelican Ranch

wine and cheese - Pixabay

Pelican Ranch Winery is a small, family owned and operated winery specializing in Rhone and Burgundy style wines from the best vineyards in California. Established in 1997, the winery is located a short distance from Monterey Bay which provides the constant, cool, coastal influence that allows for controlled, slow fermentation. The result is rich, full-flavored, complex wines.

Burrell Winery & Vineyard

picture of winery's logo

Burrell School's origins date back to 1854 when Lyman J. Burrell settled the rough wilderness that is now home to Burrell Winery & Vineyard. Carrying on the more than 130 year old tradition at the School, David and Anne Moulton began development of the Estate Vineyard in 1973. At 1,600 foot elevation, the site faces the southwest. Soils are a complex mixture or loam and shale due to the close proximity of the San Andreas Fault. Nearby Monterey Bay brings warm days and cool nights The result is a unique microclimate, perfect for long, slow ripening of the grapes in the vineyard.

La Nebbia Winery

wine barrels all neatly stacked and in rows

Fun, unassuming tasting room. The service was really friendly and I got the impression that the "$10 for 5" tasting is rarely a sticking point. Meaning, they poured my group additional samples and even asked me which one I wanted to try one last time as I was paying. Never with the feeling I was being pressured to buy anything, far from it. Ample picnic area in the back. BYO whatever and enjoy the scenery and play a game of bocce ball in one of their 2 courts. This is a perfect stop on your way to the beach or when heading back home.

David Bruce Winery

grape cluster

David Bruce Winery has earned an international reputation throughout more than four decades for its dedication to producing the greatest Pinot Noir in the world. The winery was bonded in 1964, and in 2024 we celebrate our 60th Anniversary.
Our wines are produced from varietals grown in our 45-acre Estate Vineyard located in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The winery has been in the forefront to develop methods that have changed the face of winemaking in California and will continue to do so.
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.

Sones Cellars

woman enjoying wine with an ocean view

Sones Cellars

Sones Cellars is a local, urban family winery producing small lots of fine quality, distinctive wines from grape varieties that flourish in California. Since 2003, Sones has focused on Petite Sirah and Zinfandel from exceptional vineyards in Central California. We also explore other grape varieties for ones that produce top-quality wines reflecting our local environment. All Sones wines are made in small lots with careful attention to detail and with minimal intervention during the winemaking process.

Open every Thursday through Sunday
Thurs: 2-5 PM
Fri: 2-6 PM
Sat: 1-6 PM
Sun: 1-5 PM

Four Gates

purple grapes - Pixabay

Four Gates Winery: A Unique Kosher Wine Experience

Thirty-three years ago, a dedicated winemaker embarked on a journey to plant a small vineyard with the intention of crafting wine for Shabbos and Yom Tov. Having made his own kiddush wine for years, he recognized the promise of the vineyard site, located in the renowned Santa Cruz Mountains wine-growing region of California. Though small, this area has a long-standing reputation for producing quality wines. Nestled on a south-facing slope and surrounded by majestic oak and redwood forests, the vineyard overlooks a stunning valley that stretches down to the Pacific Ocean. Interestingly, the land had been planted with wine grapes in the 1880s, but the original vines were removed during Prohibition.

Four Gates is likely the smallest kosher winery in the country, with just 3.5 acres dedicated to growing Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Franc. The vineyard's grapes are certified organic by the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF), and the vines are not irrigated, leading to small yields that are concentrated in flavor. Additionally, the wine is estate bottled, ensuring that one individual oversees the entire process, from grape cultivation to wine production.

The winery operates as a one-man show, evoking the charm of an old-fashioned one-room schoolhouse, where all equipment and barrels await their turn, much like students of varying ages. This personal approach allows for meticulous attention to detail, resulting in wines that reflect the unique characteristics of the Santa Cruz Mountain environment.

The wines themselves benefit from this small-scale production. The Chardonnay is a full-bodied white wine aged in American oak barrels, making it an excellent pairing for flavorful dishes such as roast chicken, baked salmon, or Orah's spicy baked tofu. Meanwhile, the Merlot offers a substantial red wine experience, perfect for complementing holiday brisket or a savory roast.

Four Gates Winery invites wine enthusiasts to explore its artisanal offerings and experience the dedication behind each bottle.

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