Anyone who loves wine tasting events in the San Francisco area should make a point to get to the Santa Cruz Mountains for Passport Weekend to meet the winemakers, taste fine wines, and explore the wineries for free with the purchase of a $40 passport that is valid all year.
Wine Tasting and Wine Tours
Wine tasting and wine tours are not all that happens during Passport week, there are also special discounts at restaurants during this weekend with the use of this passport.
Passport Weekend Sightseeing– Best Kept Secret
Many wine lovers and gourmet’s agree that Passport Weekend in the Santa Cruz Mountains held on the third Saturday of January, April, July and November is one of the best kept secrets. Besides being a great tourist attraction, Passport Week offers wine lovers a special chance to visit many wineries that are not normally open to the public. A unique commemorative stamp is placed in the visitor’s passport after a visit with these family owned wineries.
Chaine d’Or Wines in the Santa Cruz Mountains
Minutes away from the heart of the corporate world in Silicon Valley is one of the oldest wine producing regions in California that came to life in the 1800’s with the Franciscan priests. The Santa Cruz Mountains Viticulture Appellation was recognized by the federal government in 1981.
People remember Paul Masson, a Frenchman, who brought grape cuttings from his homeland and started a local winery in Saratoga, CA (now Silicon Valley). This wine tasting region is known as Chaine d’Or, french for Chain of Gold.
Favorite Wineries for Wine Tasting
The Santa Cruz wine tasting appellation extends from south San Francisco to Santa Cruz in the mountains. Favorite wineries at this tourist attraction are:
- Thomas Fogarty Winery in the north
- Byington Winery on Bear Mountain
- Dave Bruce Winery
- Burrell School Vineyards & Winery located on Summit Road
- Bonny Doon Vineyard north of Santa Cruz
A Sample List of Wineries to Tour on Passport Weekend
With over 5o wineries to tour a sample list is:
- Roudon-Smith Winery started by two Silicon Valley engineers who quit their jobs and started growing grapes to make wines.
- Savannah-Chanelle a landmark winery established by French immigrant, Pierre Pourroy, 1892. A gravity flow winery was added to the site.
- Hallcrest Winery in Felton, CA is great for families with an outdoor patio with picnic tables and a grass field.
- Ridge Vineyards just outside Cupertino is a great place to picnic in the sun. It is located on a long and windy road which goes to the top of the mountain. Great wines too!
- Cinnabar Winery has a new tasting room in downtown Saratoga, CA which is easy to travel to.
- Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyards combines horseback riding and wine tasting.
Do Not Forget this Wine Tour
Remember to include the Santa Cruz Mountains Passport Weekend for the wine tour when visiting the San Francisco bay area. It is a unique chance to visit many boutique wineries and taste great wines.
Related articles to browse with plans for a wine tasting tour in the Santa Cruz Mountains.:
Tips to pair wine with food. by June Smith
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