Pinot Paradise
They call the Santa Cruz Mountains a “paradise for Pinot Noir,” and this annual event celebrates the
bounty from the many small wineries scattered throughout the appellation. The region has been receiving
considerable recognition recently for its distinctive Pinot Noirs. (see PinotFile, Volume 5, Issue
30).
On Saturday, March 17, 2007, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM wineries will be open for tours and tasting.
Called the Pathway to Pinot Paradise, this event is only $25 per person. Many of these wineries are
small, family-owned affairs that are not usually open to the public. It is a great opportunity to poke
around the mountain landscape and discover hidden tiny wineries that specialize in Pinot Noir. Participating
wineries include Bargetto Winery, Beauregard Vineyards, Burrell School Vineyards,
Domenico Winery, Generosa Winery, Hallcrest Vineyards, Martin Alfaro Family Vineyards, Nicholson
Vineyards, Pleasant Valley Vineyards, Roudon-Smith Winery, Silver Mountain Vineyards, Sonnet
Wines, Thomas Fogerty Vineyards & Winery, Vine Hill Winery, Windy Oaks Estate Vineyards & Winery.
On Sunday morning, March 18, 2007 there are Technical Sessions at Villa Ragusa in Campbell ($65 per
person including lunch). Featured speakers are John Haeger, author of North American Pinot Noir,
Prudy Foxx, vineyard consultant in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Jim Schultze, proprietor of Windy Oaks
Estate Vineyards & Winery, Jerome Aubin, representing Tonnellerie Rousseau in Burgundy, France,
and Jeff Bareilles, Sommelier at Manresa Restaurant who will lead the group through a comparative
tasting of Pinot Noirs from Santa Barbara, Santa Lucia Highlands, Santa Cruz Mountains, Russian River
Valley, and the Willamette Valley. Lunch will be next door at the Sonoma Chicken Coop.
On Sunday, March 18, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM the Grand Cruz Tasting ($65 per person) will be held at
Villa Ragusa with over 26 producers (many listed above) pouring their Pinot Noirs.
For reservations and tickers call the Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers’ Association at 831-685-8463
or visit the website, www.scmwa.com. A Paradise Pass for both Saturday and Sunday events is $125
per person. Useful lodging and restaurant information is also available on the SCMWA website.
