Wondering what to do in the Santa Cruz Mountains? Considering this your one-stop for Santa Cruz Mountains winery events, case specials and more! Get inspired with our suggested paths to travel below the winery events tab for your next wine tasting adventure. Book one of our transportation partners and leave the driving to them. This page is updated weekly. Keep checking in to find out what’s new in the Santa Cruz Mountains wine region.
Starting April 4
Great news! The tasting room at Rosscienda Vineyard will be open every first Saturday of the month starting April 4th 1-5 PM – join Rosscienda for the First Tasting of the Season.
After the wonderful turnout for the Valentine’s Day event and Passport Day, they are excited to open the Rosscienda tasting room for the 2026 season.
This marks the start of the First Saturday tasting series, when they will welcome guests to the vineyard on the first Saturday of each month throughout the season.
The opening weekend also falls on Easter weekend, and they hope to see many of you for a relaxed afternoon at the vineyard. With a little spring sunshine, it’s the perfect time to enjoy Rosscienda wines looking out over the vineyard. The Rosscienda team is also happy to accommodate private parties on other dates. Call today to schedule your next gathering.
MAY
May 1
This Friday – Food Trucks are Back at Wrights Station! 5:30pm – 8pm. Join in the fun this Friday evening for the start of the monthly Friday Night Vineyard Lights series! Enjoy a relaxed atmosphere with wines by the glass, open seating, and delicious food from Cousins Maine Lobster Truck, Sleight of Hand Pizza and Love & Cookies. If you would like to make a reservation, visit the website here.
SPEND YOUR MOTHER’S DAY WEEKEND IN THE SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS
May 7
Enjoy a garden-themed class to build a Terrarium at Gali Vineyards. Danika Basista of Artist’s Garden Oasis will help you create a terrarium: filling clear glass bowls or teapots with ferns, fittonias, and other greenery. These miniature gardens make wonderfully sustainable gifts. All plants are grown with care using regenerative farming. Tickets includes a giftable bottle of either Sparkling wine or Rosé.
Sign up with a friend or with your mom (perfect Mother’s Day event!). Cost includes all supplies, professional instruction, one glass of wine, and a bottle of either Sparkling wine or Rosé. Book here.
May 9
A Toast to Mom!
Mother’s Day is almost here, and Nicholson Vineyards planned something special to start the celebration. Join them Saturday, May 9 for Rosé for Mother’s Day – an easy afternoon of rosé, good company, and time to simply be together. Enjoy a curated wine flight featuring the debut of our 2025 Rosé of Grenache. Each tasting is paired with strawberry shortcake for a perfectly sweet touch. It’s the kind of day meant for slowing down and savoring the moment. Gather your mom, grandmother, sister, or someone who feels like family. Come sip and celebrate! Rosé for Mother’s Day Here
May 9
May 9th – Mother’s Day Mini Market at Lester Estate Wines, 12-4pm – featuring local artists Sandi Rogers of Rogers Lane Studios and Cathy Cunningham Ceramics plus fresh, homemade scones from The Rollin’ Scone. Celebrate this special day with an afternoon filled with wine, family and local crafts. Wine by the glass and bottle will be available for purchase. Wine tasting will be subject to availability. Reserve a table or drop in!
May 9 & 10
Mother’s Day Weekend at Cooper-Garrod! From the first sip to the last, every wine bottle tells a story—and no story is more cherished than the one we share with Mom. This Mother’s Day, celebrate her with wines as remarkable as she is! Join Cooper-Garrod to celebrate Mother’s Day with their 100% Estate-Grown, Certified Sustainable and Organic Wines! They will have LIVE MUSIC on both Saturday AND Sunday, from 2-4 PM. Please note, Mother’s Day is one of the busiest of the year; so please be sure to make a reservation in advance!
May 10
Mother’s Day at Windy Oaks | Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Noon-4pm
Windy Oaks Estate is delighted to invite you to a special Mother’s Day at the winery. To welcome warmer weather, celebrate with a white wine tasting (and a little pinot too) of beautiful whites from the estate vineyard and the Monterey County vineyard special sources.
Casual snacks, Freshly shucked oysters from Parker the Oysterman ($4/oyster)
Tastings on the vineyard patio: Sparkling Albariño, ‘Old Vine’ Estate Chardonnay, Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay, Barrel Fermented Sauvignon Blanc
Viognier, Surprise Pinot Noir
FREE to WineGroup member and guest. Non-member guests $25/person. Reservations required here.
May 10
Mother’s Day at Silver Mountain Vineyards – enjoy live music by the Jenny O’Leary Trio from 1:30 – 4:00 p.m. at the Amphitheater. Bring your special gal, some yummy food, and pick up a bottle of wine to enjoy while listening to the jazzy tunes of the Jenny O’Leary Trio. Beautiful afternoon! Reserve your table. Reservations recommended, not required.
May 10
Happy Mother’s Day to all the incredible mothers and grandmothers out there! Join Wrights Station for a special day on the patio, overlooking the vineyard, featuring freshly shucked oysters, caviar, and smoked salmon crostini, all prepared by Parker’s Picks.
Your reservation includes a Mother’s Day Wine Flight curated by winemaker Dan Lokteff, featuring three wines, including the exclusive release of our limited-production 2025 Rosé of Cinsault! The outdoor wine bar will be open for additional purchases of wine by the bottle or glass.
All food is sold separately and available for purchase on the day of the event. So gather your friends and family for a wonderful day at the winery! Featuring, Oysters, Caviar & Salmon Crostini, 2025 Rosé of Cinsault Release. $20 per person/$15 per member. TIME 11:00 – 5:00.
Reservations Required – They Sell Out
Reservations Times: Multiple times available. Each reservation time is for 2 hours. 11:00am – 1:00pm, 11:30am – 1:30pm, 2:00pm-4:00pm or 2:30pm – 4:30pm. Reservations here.
May 10
Mother’s Day at the Vineyard! Thank you to all the moms and mother figures – everything you do is appreciated and hopefully you’ll join us at Izumi Point this Mother’s Day to celebrate.
Enjoy acoustic music and a complimentary welcome splash of rosé for all mothers, along with a personalized picnic, put together for you to enjoy alongside the spring wines.
Each picnic includes a selection of bread, cheeses, and charcuterie to share, along with a small bouquet of flowers and a few keepsakes to take home. Picnics are available by advance order only and in limited quantities.
Sunday, May 10 | 12–5 PM
2-hour outdoor reservation required
$100 members | $130 non-members
Wine will be available by the glass, bottle, or as a tasting flight during your visit. Reservations are required at this time. Make you reservation here.
More May Events
May 14
Enjoy a Spring Farm-to-Table dinner on May 14 at Testarossa Winery at 6:30pm! Enjoy a sustainably sourced multi-course dinner paired with current release and library wines. Tickets here.
May 16
May 16th – Spring Fling and Wine Club Pickup Party at Lester Estate Wines! 12-4pm – Taste newly released wines plus some current favorites. Local food vendor Miches & Ceviches will be on site, plus live music by Bonny June & Bonfire! Picnics are welcome. Admission is $25 for a tasting of five estate wines. Wine Club members receive 2 complimentary tickets (member plus one guest). Reserve here!
May 16
Tour and Tasting at the Winery – Everyone loves this tour! You get the chance to learn about the history of the Santa Cruz mountains as a wine growing region, learn about Silver Mountain’s history, and learn about current winemaking practices. 2 p.m. Reservations recommended, not required. Reserve your spot
Stay up to date with Kathryn Kennedy Winery with 1 simple text!
You can now opt in to receive text messages from Kathryn Kennedy Winery! Scan the QR code and it will load the following message in your text messaging system. “I would like to opt in to Kathryn Kennedy Winery’s text distribution list. New releases and special prices will be announced via text. Direct communication with the Winemaker via text is offered. You can be removed from the list at any time with the reply STOP.”
The Santa Cruz Mountains wine region proudly boasts towering redwoods, epic hiking trails, breathtaking coastal views and exceptional wine!
Intrepid travelers and wine enthusiasts, look no further than the Santa Cruz Mountains for your next wine adventure. Easily accessible from San Jose and San Francisco, the Santa Cruz Mountains is a broad wine-growing region with unique, boutique wineries sprawling across nearly half a million acres. Don’t just take our word for it—witness its beauty for yourself.
With 80+ incredible wineries to explore, you might be wondering where to start. To give you a little inspiration, check out our helpful Trip Planner HERE. All that’s left to do is to go out and start exploring!
Excellent transportation options to get you around the Santa Cruz Mountains
If you have any questions about these routes, reach out to our team at contact@scmwa.com.
Excellent transportation options to get you around the Santa Cruz Mountains
Announcing a 7-night River Cruise along the Danube River on July 14-21, 2025 featuring House Family Vineyards!
Those longing for the romance of Old World Europe will travel into the heart of the
continent, where empires were built, kings and queens were crowned and some of the
world’s greatest music was composed. Visit one of Austria’s greatest wineries, Schloss
Gobelsburg, which has a documented viticulture history dating back to the 12th
century. From grand abbeys and fortresses to iconic UNESCO World Heritage Sites,
be romanced by the Danube with all her regal and romantic splendor. For more information, please contact Margaret Miner at 925-285-0628 or m.miner@dreamvacations.com.
Savor the Flavors of Burgundy with the Wines of the Santa Cruz Mountains ABOARD AMACELLO | 7 NIGHTS | JUNE 17 TO 24, 2027
Domaine Eden has exciting news to share! Starting May 11, we will be offering weekend tastings by appointment. Our unique tasting experience seamlessly combines the elements of a conventional tasting room with the ambiance of a wine bar. Delight in curated wine flights, individual glasses or indulge in a bottle with friends. To make a reservation, visit https://www.exploretock.com/domaineeden
Check out these guests’ epic experience at the tree house at Lago Lomita Vineyards!
Want a magical experience like this? Learn more and book your stay here.
GODELLO IS GOLD Gold Medal TEXSOM Wine Awards – one of only 120 Gold medals awarded.
A white wine at another level..Definitely not a picnic wine, but instead of luxurious “white tablecloth” wine for that special dinner. M. Mathis Winegrower label. 2024 vintage $55.00/b in 3 bottle set. 28% discount using code GOLDMEDAL upon checkout. Link to purchase. Questions please text or call 408 230 0392. wholesale@kathrynkennedywinery.com
Rated in the top 5 score of Napa Merlot by Alder Yarrow – ‘23 Lateral
In his recent survey and tasting of Napa Valley Merlot Alder Yarrow (writing for Jancis Robinson) called out our Lateral by name and it scored it n the top level. read below: “The most successful, more modern Napa Merlots don’t forego acidity in the name of texture, either. As with Napa Cabernet, some producers are producing exciting, acid-driven wines with alcohols under 14% that deliver considerable refreshment with a lighter-bodied, easy-to-drink character that comes across more chiselled than plush. (Check out Matthiasson, Ashes & Diamonds, Heitz and Lateral below.)”
2023 LATERAL. score 17/20
Smells of flowers, plums and aromatic herbs. Juicy, mouth-watering flavours of plum, dried herbs and wildflowers show gorgeous freshness and a fine-grained tannic texture that make this a pleasure to drink. The green herbs and floral notes hint at the Cabernet Franc in the blend, all to the wine’s benefit. Outstanding. Closed with a screwcap. (AY) Link to Lateral wine here.
Bargetto Winery – SF Chronicle & Wine Enthusiast
September 11 2025
‘I tasted over 300 wines in August, these were my top 10 bottles’ – Decanter
August 11 2025
Beyond Pinot Noir: Monterey and Santa Cruz Weave a Vibrant Wine Mosaic – James Suckling
San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Double Gold – Cooper Garrod Estate Vineyards 2023 Chardonnay
Sunset International Wine Competition
Double Gold – Kings Mountain Vineyards 2023 Boathouse Rosé, 97 points
Robert Parker Scores
2022 Alfaro Family Vineyards & Winery Chardonnay Mary Katherine Vine RP 92
2022 Alfaro Family Vineyards & Winery Chardonnay Trout Gulch Vineyard RP 92+
2022 Alfaro Family Vineyards & Winery Pinot Noir Alfaro Family Vineyard RP 91
2022 Alfaro Family Vineyards & Winery Pinot Noir Heirloom Clones Estat RP 90
2022 Alfaro Family Vineyards & Winery Pinot Noir Lindsay Paige Vineyar RP 92
2022 Alfaro Family Vineyards & Winery Pinot Noir Trout Gulch Vineyard RP 93
2021 Arnot-Roberts Cabernet Sauvignon Fellom Ranch RP 94
2022 Arnot-Roberts Chardonnay Trout Gulch Vineyard RP 93+
2022 Arnot-Roberts Pinot Noir Peter Martin Ray Vineyard RP 92+
2022 Arnot-Roberts Sauvignon Blanc Ascona Vineyard RP 91
2018 Beauregard Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Beauregard Ranch RP 93
2019 Beauregard Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Beauregard Ranch RP 94
2021 Beauregard Vineyards Chardonnay Bald Mountain Vineyard RP 94
2021 Beauregard Vineyards Chardonnay Beauregard Ranch RP 92
2021 Beauregard Vineyards Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains RP 90
2021 Beauregard Vineyards Pinot Noir Beauregard Ranch RP 93
2021 Beauregard Vineyards Pinot Noir Coast Grade Vineyard RP 94+
2022 Beauregard Vineyards Pinot Noir Rosé Oeuf en Béton RP 91
2021 Beauregard Vineyards Pinot Noir Santa Cruz Mountains RP 90+
2019 Beauregard Vineyards Zinfandel Beauregard Ranch RP 92
2021 Big Basin Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Odeon RP 92
2021 Big Basin Vineyards Chardonnay Kimari Vineyard RP 93+
2019 Big Basin Vineyards Grenache Grizzly RP 93+
2021 Big Basin Vineyards Pinot Noir Alfaro Family Vineyard RP 93
2021 Big Basin Vineyards Pinot Noir Lester Family Vineyard RP 93+
2021 Big Basin Vineyards Pinot Noir Old Corral RP 92
2021 Big Basin Vineyards Roussanne Homestead Block RP 91
2021 Big Basin Vineyards Syrah Rattlesnake Rock RP 94
2019 Big Basin Vineyards Syrah Santa Cruz Mountains RP 91
2021 Big Basin Vineyards Syrah Sixty-Two Terraces RP 93+
2021 Birichino Cabernet Sauvignon Peter Martin Ray Vineyard RP 94
2021 Birichino Chardonnay Peter Martin Ray Vineyard RP 93+
2022 Birichino Pinot Noir Lilo Vineyard RP 93
2017 Domaine Eden Cabernet Sauvignon RP 91
2018 Domaine Eden Cabernet Sauvignon RP 94
2018 Domaine Eden Chardonnay RP 92
2019 Domaine Eden Chardonnay RP 93
2021 Domaine Eden Chardonnay RP 92
2018 Domaine Eden Pinot Noir RP 93
2019 Domaine Eden Pinot Noir RP 93
2021 Domaine Eden Pinot Noir RP 92
2022 Farm Cottage Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains RP 90
2022 Farm Cottage Pinot Noir Lester Vineyard RP 91
2022 Farm Cottage Pinot Noir Santa Cruz Mountains RP 91
2022 Farm Cottage Pinot Noir Trout Gulch Vineyard RP 93+
2022 Farm Cottage Syrah Ryan Spencer Vineyard RP 92
1997 Kathryn Kennedy Cabernet Sauvignon RP 90
2009 Kathryn Kennedy Cabernet Sauvignon RP 92
2010 Kathryn Kennedy Cabernet Sauvignon RP 91
2021 Lester Estate Pinot Noir Francisco RP 92+
2021 Lester Estate Pinot Noir Mercurio RP 93
2021 Lexington Wine Co. Alma Gist Ranch Estate White RP 95
2021 Lexington Wine Co. Cabernet Franc Gist Ranch RP 92
2021 Lexington Wine Co. Cabernet Sauvignon Gist Ranch RP 93
2021 Lexington Wine Co. Merlot Gist Ranch Vineyard RP 91
2019 Madson Chardonnay Arey Vineyard RP 90
2022 Madson Chardonnay Ascona Vineyard RP 92+
2021 Madson Misty Gulch Vineyard RP 93+
2022 Madson Pinot Noir Ascona Vineyard RP 91
2020 Madson Pinot Noir Toyon Vineyard RP 90
2021 Madson Pinot Noir Toyon Vineyard RP 92
2021 Madson Syrah Ascona Vineyard RP 91
2022 Madson Syrah Ascona Vineyard RP 89
2021 Madson Syrah Red Tail Vineyard RP 90
2017 Maison Areion Cabernet Sauvignon Chaine d’Or Vineyard RP 93
2018 Maison Areion Cabernet Sauvignon Chaine d’Or Vineyard RP 92+
2019 Maison Areion Cabernet Sauvignon Chaine d’Or Vineyard RP 94
2020 Maison Areion Chardonnay Chaine d’Or Vineyard RP 92
2019 Maison Areion Pinot Noir Saveria Vineyard RP 93
2021 Maison Areion Pinot Noir Tarwater Vineyard RP 88
2021 Mindego Ridge Chardonnay RP 92
2021 Mindego Ridge Pinot Noir RP 94+
2019 Neely Chardonnay Bee Block RP 90
2021 Neely Chardonnay Bee Block RP 91
2019 Neely Chardonnay Bee Block Special Selection RP 92
2021 Neely Chardonnay Home Block RP 90
2018 Neely Pinot Noir Hidden Block RP 92
2021 Neely Pinot Noir Hidden Block RP 92
2018 Neely Pinot Noir Picnic Block RP 93+
2021 Neely Pinot Noir Picnic Block RP 93
2019 Ridge Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Estate RP 93
2021 Ridge Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Estate RP 92+
2021 Ridge Vineyards Chardonnay Estate Monte Bello Vineyard RP 92
2022 Ridge Vineyards Chardonnay Estate Monte Bello Vineyard RP 91
2019 Ridge Vineyards Chardonnay Monte Bello RP 95
2021 Ridge Vineyards Chardonnay Monte Bello RP 94
2019 Ridge Vineyards Merlot Estate RP 93
2015 Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello RP 95
2016 Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello RP 96+
2017 Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello RP 100
2018 Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello RP 99
2019 Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello RP 97
2020 Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello RP 85
2021 Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello RP 96
2021 Ridge Vineyards Zinfandel Jimsomare RP 93+
2021 Sandar & Hem Chardonnay Bald Mountain Vineyard RP 94
2021 Sandar & Hem Chardonnay Le Boeuf Vineyard RP 93+
2021 Sandar & Hem Chardonnay Mountain Winery Vineyard RP 94+
2021 Sandar & Hem Pinot Noir Deerheart Vineyard RP 94
2022 Sandar & Hem Rosé of Grenache Bates Ranch RP 91
2017 Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard Cabernet Franc Bates Ranch RP 93
1994 Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Bates Ranch RP 93
2017 Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Bates Ranch RP 93+
2007 Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Luchessi Viney RP 94
2018 Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Luchessi Viney RP 93+
2017 Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Staiger Vineyar RP 93
2019 Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard Pinot Noir Bailey’s Branciforte Ridge RP 90
2016 Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard Pinot Noir Branciforte Creek Vineyar RP 92
2021 Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard Pinot Noir Las Nietas Vineyard RP 91
2013 Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard Pinot Noir Vine Hill Reserve RP 93+
2021 Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard Zinfandel Zayante Vineyard RP 92
2021 Sante Arcangeli Pinot Noir Ananda RP 93
2022 Sante Arcangeli Pinot Noir Coast Grade Vineyard RP 94
2022 Sante Arcangeli Pinot Noir Lester Family Vineyard RP 93
2022 Sante Arcangeli Pinot Noir Saveria Vineyard RP 92
2022 Sante Arcangeli Pinot Noir Split Rail Vineyard RP 94+
2021 Soquel Vineyards Pinot Noir Coast Grade RP 92
2021 Thomas Fogarty Chardonnay RP 92
2021 Thomas Fogarty Chardonnay Albutom Vineyard RP 91+
2021 Thomas Fogarty Chardonnay Damiana Vineyard RP 93
2021 Thomas Fogarty Chardonnay La Vida Bella Vineyard RP 93
2021 Thomas Fogarty Chardonnay Langley Hill Vineyard RP 95
2021 Thomas Fogarty Chardonnay Mindego Ridge Vineyard RP 92
2021 Thomas Fogarty Chardonnay Portola Springs RP 93
2021 Thomas Fogarty Pinot Noir RP 91
2021 Thomas Fogarty Pinot Noir Deerheart Vineyard RP 93
2021 Thomas Fogarty Pinot Noir La Vida Bella Vineyard RP 92
2021 Thomas Fogarty Pinot Noir Mindego Ridge Vineyard RP 93+
2021 Thomas Fogarty Pinot Noir Rapley Trail Vineyard RP 94
2021 Thomas Fogarty Pinot Noir Rapley Trail Vineyard Henry Ayrton’s Block RP 95
2021 Thomas Fogarty Pinot Noir Rapley Trail Vineyard James Thomas’s Block RP 96
2021 Thomas Fogarty Pinot Noir Razorback Vineyard RP 92
2021 Thomas Fogarty Pinot Noir Windy Hill Vineyard RP 94+
