The Santa Cruz Mountains are the perfect place to get away from it all and relax with a glass of wine. Whether you’re looking for a cozy tasting room or an upscale vineyard, these five wineries have what you need.
If you’re looking for a hands-on experience, then Kenneth Volk Vineyards is the place for you. Located in Saratoga, this winery offers an open house, boutique tasting room, tours and events. The tour guides are knowledgeable about how their wines are made and will tell you all about the history of wine making in California. They also offer a variety of different types of wines from sweet to dry with prices ranging from $9-$100+. The best part? They cater to parties so you can bring your friends or colleagues out for a nice afternoon!
Located in Saratoga, CA, Byington Winery is a winery and garden that features picnic areas and an outdoor playground for children. The grounds are open Monday through Friday from 10am – 5pm and weekends from 11am – 5pm. Their tasting room is located on the property as well as their vineyard, which you can explore during your visit. The grounds make it a great place to host an event or just relax with friends while enjoying some wine!
If you’re looking for a new favorite pinot noir (or other varietals), head over here! They have several different options available—be sure to check out their website for more information on which ones are available during your visit.
Testarossa Vineyards is located in the Santa Cruz Mountains, about an hour’s drive from San Francisco. This winery offers a tasting room and gift shop, as well as its own wines for purchase. Testarossa Vineyards produces Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah wines that are sold at their tasting room or through their website.
Roudon-Smith Winery has been in business since the early 1900s. It is the oldest winery in Saratoga and was founded by Adam Roudon and David Smith, who planted their first vines in 1906.
In addition to producing exceptional wines from estate-grown grapes, Roudon-Smith Winery also offers free wine tasting daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., except for Monday through Thursday when it’s closed for lunch between 1 p.m.–2 p.m.. This historic landmark has plenty of space for picnics and parties with family or friends! There are also various activities you can take part in including tours of their vineyard, special events such as concerts held on weekends during summer months (weather permitting), wine flights where you can taste different varietals before deciding which ones you want to purchase by the glass or buy off our shelf at no extra cost (prices vary). Plus there’s an amazing view of rolling hillsides filled with colorful rows upon rows of grapevines stretching miles into distance so don’t forget your camera!
Hallcrest Vineyards is a family-owned winery that has been in the business for over 50 years. They offer a variety of wines, including Merlot, Petite Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon.
They are open from April to December.
The five best wineries in the Santa Cruz Mountains are:
The Secular Franciscan Abbey (33 miles from Saratoga)
Abreu Vineyards & Winery (38 miles from Woodside)
Shafer Vineyards (38 miles from Woodside)
Chateau Montelena (39 miles from Woodside)
Dehlinger Estate Winery & Vineyard (40 miles from Saratoga
We’ve covered the best wineries in the Santa Cruz Mountains, so now it’s your turn to go out and try them! We hope this guide helps you find your favorite wine tasting spot.
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