Big Basin
Big Basin draws from the Santa Cruz Mountains, a region of steep terrain and maritime influence that shapes wines of distinctive character. The winery's portfolio centers on Rhône and Mediterranean varieties, with particular focus on old-vine Carignan and Grenache-based blends. The Wirz Vineyard Old Vine Carignane expresses the mineral, savory character typical of mature vines in this terroir, while the Odeon—a Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon blend—and the Paderewski Vineyard GSM showcase the region's capacity for structured, complex reds. Wines from Big Basin have been assessed by Decanter, Wine Enthusiast, and Wine Advocate, reflecting the winery's engagement with serious wine criticism. The Santa Cruz Mountains' cool nights and varied microclimates support the kind of precision and depth these wines demonstrate.
Critics
Decanter, Wine Enthusiast, Wine Advocate