Best Wineries in the Santa Cruz Mountains

The Santa Cruz Mountains AVA stretches along the Peninsula south of San Francisco — a cool, fog-influenced region producing some of California's most...

The Santa Cruz Mountains AVA is one of California's most geographically dramatic wine regions — stretching along the Coast Range from the San Francisco Peninsula south to the Santa Clara Valley, with vineyards planted on steep forested ridges and coastal slopes between 400 and 2,600 feet of elevation.

The region's diversity of elevation, aspect, and climate creates wildly different growing conditions within a relatively compact area. West-facing slopes above the fog line — like those at Ridge Vineyards' Monte Bello vineyard — experience dramatically different conditions than the redwood-shaded east-facing slopes near the valley floor. This diversity produces wines of remarkable individuality.

The Santa Cruz Mountains is perhaps best known as home to Ridge Vineyards, whose Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon is one of California's most historically important and critically acclaimed wines. But the region also produces outstanding Pinot Noir from its cooler coastal sites, compelling Chardonnay, and the kind of small-lot, artisan wines that attract serious collectors.

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