Visiting wineries on the east side of the mountains

This past weekend was the Vintner’s Festival on the west side of the Santa Cruz Mountains, and many local private wineries opened their doors to the public for barrel samples and exclusive tastings.
This weekend, June 13 and 14, is the Vintner’s Festival for the east side of the mountains. Wineries will again offer private tours, barrel samples and special tastings.
If you went last weekend, your passes are still good, and if you missed it you can purchase passes from www.scmwa.com.
One winery not to be missed is the relatively new Black Ridge Vineyards. Black Ridge might be the most upscale winery in the mountains, and it boasts an unbelievable winery and views of the surrounding mountains. The winery will have live music and local art to enjoy as well as one of my favorite Viogniers. Black Ridge is located on Black Road, just off the Bear Creek exit of Highway 17.
Forbes Mill Steakhouse and Trevese in downtown Los Gatos will also host wineries for the event and will offer free appetizers. Naumann Vineyards is pouring at Forbes, with an excellent merlot and chardonnay grown on Montebello Road right next to Ridge’s vineyards.
Among others, Big Basin Vineyards from Boulder Creek is pouring at Trevese. Big Basin’s spectrum of wines includes one of the best syrahs in the county, and this is a rare chance to try some of its award-winning vino. Scotts Valley’s Roudon-Smith will also be pouring an excellent sauvignon blanc. It is crisp and tropical, perfect for a warm-weather weekend day.
The Vintner’s Festival presents another great chance to explore some Santa Cruz-area wineries, and it makes for an excellent Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Feel free to e-mail me if you would like any winery or route suggestions. Cheers!
Austin Twohig is a certified sommelier and partner in The Santa Cruz Experience, which conducts winery tours in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Contact him at au****@th********************.com.