Winegeeks

“S” appellations

Santa Cruz Mountains

The Santa Cruz Mountains AVA is located just south of San Jose, California. This huge appellation holds over 350,000 acres. Its boundaries being defined by the elevations of 400 feet on the west side and 800 feet on the east side, while to the south the peak of Mount Madonna forms the southern boundary and Half Moon Bay defines the northern boundary. During the growing season, the fog rolls in from the Pacific Ocean early in the evening and is burned off with the morning sun.

This region was devastated by prohibition in the 1930s and has taken a while to rebuild its industry. Martin Ray of Mount Eden almost single-handedly brought the wine region back to prominence in the 1950s, while Bonny Doon, David Bruce and Ridge Vineyards have since helped pick up the torch. Today, more than 60 wineries operate in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

One sub-appellation, Ben Lomond Mountain, exists within the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA.

Location

United States → California → Santa Cruz County

Appellation Type

American AVA

Wineries (29)

Ahlgren Vineyard
Alexander Cellars
Andersen Vineyards
Aptos Creek Vineyard
Bargetto Winery
Beauregard Vineyards
Big Basin Vineyards
Bonny Doon
Burrell School Vineyards
Cinnabar
Cooper-Garrod Vineyards
David Bruce
Generosa Winery
Glenwood Oaks Winery
Hunter Hill Vineyard
Martella
Mount Eden Vineyards
Mountain Winery
Muccigrosso Vineyards
Pelican Ranch Winery
Picchetti Winery
Ridge Vineyards
Roudon-Smith Winery
Salamandre Cellars
Skov Winery
Soquel Vineyards
Storrs Winery
Thomas Fogarty Winery
Zayante Vineyards

Wines (4)

Bonny Doon Vineyard Vin Gris de Cigare 2008 Santa Cruz Mountains Rosé
David Bruce Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains 2002 Santa Cruz Mountains White
David Bruce Syrah Santa Cruz Mountains 2001 Santa Cruz Mountains Red
David Bruce Pinot Noir Santa Cruz Mountains 2001 Santa Cruz Mountains Red