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20 pin-worthy

Outstanding houses in Santa Cruz Mountains.

01 · OUTSTANDING

Kathryn Kennedy Winery

Cited by Decanter · Wine Advocate + 2 more

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02 · OUTSTANDING

La Honda Winery

Cited by Decanter · Wine Advocate + 2 more

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03 · OUTSTANDING

Eden Estate

Cited by Decanter · Wine Advocate + 1 more

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04 · OUTSTANDING

Pescadero Creek Vineyard

Cited by Decanter · Wine Advocate + 1 more

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05 · OUTSTANDING

Lexington

Cited by Decanter · Wine Advocate + 1 more

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06 · OUTSTANDING

Big Basin

Cited by Decanter · Wine Advocate + 1 more

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07 · OUTSTANDING

Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard

Cited by Decanter · Wine Advocate + 1 more

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08 · OUTSTANDING

Farm Cottage

Cited by Decanter · Wine Advocate + 1 more

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09 · OUTSTANDING

Lester

Cited by Decanter · Wine Advocate

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10 · OUTSTANDING

Left Bend

Cited by Wine Advocate · Wine Enthusiast

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11 · OUTSTANDING

Muns Vineyard

Cited by Wine Advocate · Wine Enthusiast

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12 · OUTSTANDING

Ferrari Ranch

Cited by Decanter · Wine Enthusiast

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13 · OUTSTANDING

McHenry Vineyard

Cited by Wine Advocate · Wine Enthusiast

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14 · OUTSTANDING

Heart O The Mountain

Cited by Wine Advocate · Wine Enthusiast

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15 · OUTSTANDING

Clos de la Tech

Cited by Wine Enthusiast · Vinous

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16 · OUTSTANDING

La Vida Bella

Cited by Vinous · Vivino

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17 · OUTSTANDING

Equinox

Cited by Wine Enthusiast · Vivino

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18 · OUTSTANDING

Dorcich

Cited by Wine Enthusiast · Vivino

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19 · OUTSTANDING

MH Vallée

Cited by Wine Enthusiast · Vivino

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20 · OUTSTANDING

Origin

Cited by Wine Enthusiast · Vivino

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All wineries in Santa Cruz Mountains
The Santa Cruz Mountains reading

Elevation and fog conspire here: Santa Cruz Mountains winemakers chase cool-climate precision in reds that taste of redwood smoke and bright acidity, defying the flatland California stereotype.

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Region DNA

The character of Santa Cruz Mountains

Based on 248 wines with structural data

Style profile

IntensityAcidSweetTanninFizz
IntensityAcidSweetTanninFizz
Experimental

Wide stylistic range — expect surprises

Santa Cruz Mountains
Country avg

FEM score distribution

90+ Elite
19
80–89 Great
17
70–79 Good
0
<70 Other
1

Based on 37 rated wineries in this region

Flavor territory

Red fruitOakBlack fruitEarthTree fruit

Most frequent primary flavor groups

Style breakdown

Californian Pinot Noir
89
Californian Cabernet Sauvignon
48
Californian Chardonnay
36
Californian Syrah
24
Californian Rosé
19
Californian Merlot
14
Californian Red Blend
10
Californian White
9

Wine style frequency · Bar length = relative count

Top grape varieties

Pinot Noir105Cabernet Sauvignon68Shiraz/Syrah42Chardonnay41Merlot28Grenache17Cabernet Franc16Zinfandel10Malbec8Mourvedre8

Varieties ranked by number of wines · Number = wine count

Most representative winery

The estate whose wines are closest to the regional average — the truest expression of Santa Cruz Mountains

Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard

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About Santa Cruz Mountains

Santa Cruz Mountains is a wine region in United States, home to 75 producers tracked on Femente, 19 of them rated 90+ on the critic index. Its vineyards are led by Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Shiraz/Syrah, producing Californian Pinot Noir and Californian Cabernet Sauvignon wines with notes of Red fruit, Oak, and Black fruit.

Santa Cruz Mountains — good to know

What grape varieties are grown in Santa Cruz Mountains?
The most planted varieties in Santa Cruz Mountains are Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz/Syrah, and Chardonnay, based on the wines Femente tracks across the region.
What wines is Santa Cruz Mountains known for?
Santa Cruz Mountains is known for Californian Pinot Noir, Californian Cabernet Sauvignon, and Californian Chardonnay wines and flavors of Red fruit, Oak, and Black fruit.
How many wineries are in Santa Cruz Mountains?
Femente tracks 75 producers in Santa Cruz Mountains, of which 19 are rated 90+ on the critic index.
Where is Santa Cruz Mountains?
Santa Cruz Mountains is a wine region in United States.

Santa Cruz Mountains

Elevation and fog conspire here: Santa Cruz Mountains winemakers chase cool-climate precision in reds that taste of redwood smoke and bright acidity, defying the flatland California stereotype.

Producers in Santa Cruz Mountains

Wineries in Santa Cruz Mountains

Restaurants in Santa Cruz Mountains

Restaurants in Santa Cruz Mountains