Our Big Basin Vineyards Adventure
Hiding amongst the redwoods, not far from the town of Boulder Creek, is a hilltop adventure called Big Basin Vineyards. With its rows of grapevines, hillside views and wide-open skies, it is easy to get lost in the atmosphere and lose track of time. While the drive might be daunting for those who have not traversed mountain roads, this is a winery where visitors come to spend time and enjoy tasting some of the best wines the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA has to offer.
We started by requesting their usual tasting. It includes wines from three main groups: Rhone Reds, Pinot Noirs, and Rose’ / White. It was a healthy assortment of wines and enough to get a good sampling of what Big Basin Vineyards is all about. Like most wineries, if you purchase a bottle, the tasting is free.
Rattlesnake Rock
If you are a lover of bold, Red Wines, then you must try the Rhone Reds. Our favorites were the Rattlesnake Rock Syrah and the Grizzly Grenache; both are Certified Organic. Truth-telling, the entire Rhone Red offerings are brilliant, smooth and will appeal to the most discerning of critics. We couldn’t leave without a bottle from the Rhone collection. For Pinot Noir lovers, there is a large variety of remarkable choices. We found the Pinots to be classic in their offerings. For us, they were light on the pallet and easy to enjoy especially mid-day when heavier wines might be too much. While many white’s can be too sweet for some, the Bald Mountain Chardonnay surprised us. It was refreshing, crisp and not too fruity. We paired it with smoked salmon on a wafer and couldn’t stop imbibing.
Take A Tour
Big Basin Vineyards feels young and new; yet possess an old-world Tuscan ambiance. The hilltop house is majestic with a 360-degree view of the impressive redwoods. If you have the opportunity, take a tour and walk to the top of the mountain. It is a steep climb and on rocky soil so wear good walking shoes. The staff are professional, relaxed and know their wines thoroughly. We had many lively conversations with them and were impressed by their dedication to the industry and the winery.
During our tasting, winemaker Bradley Brown stopped by and said hello to his guests. We ended up staying for two hours, walking the grounds, chatting and decompressing. Some visitors brought their dogs, and there were also a few children. It was fun seeing the children run up and down through the rows of grapevines with a dog or two in tow. During the summer, Big Basin Vineyards holds events for their members and for a fee, non-members may attend. They are open on weekends during specific times of the year, check their website for days and times.
Go For The Woods
Big Basin Vineyards has a tasting room in Saratoga, but we prefer the outdoor setting of their mountain estate. It is intimate and yet complete with picnic tables, umbrellas, and a sofa. Perfect for a wine flight and capturing the redwood forest and ocean breeze in a glass. Bring a snack, sit back, taste and enjoy the tranquility.
