Fine Wine from Santa Cruz Mountains

Ridge Vineyards, Lytton Springs Winery

Santa Cruz Mountains is located in between Monterrey Bay and San Francisco and covers a big piece of land in the Santa Cruz Mountain range, where vineyards are scattered in the woody and craggy landscape, at high altitudes and with different aspects. Santa Cruz Mountains is California’s first altitude AVA, established in 1981. The best vineyards here are planted on steep ridges above the reaches of the fog that cover the lower valleys and blows inland from San Francisco Bay.

The area’s sublime exposure to intense sunlight is cooled by ocean breezes, which help create a long cool growing season, and encourages pristine aromatic varietal character in the wines, along with firm acidities. Cabernet Sauvignon thrives in this the coolest of California’s AVAs in which to grow the grape variety. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir also does well.

We offer wine from the following producers. Just click on any of the links below to find them:

• Ridge Vineyards, Santa Cruz Mountains