|
|
|
|
| Neil Wiley
Four wineries serve the public in our area of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Each displays a unique character. All offer tasting rooms, but availability for events (corporate, private parties, local group affairs and weddings) varies with the winery. Most offer only limited public access, partly by choice and partly because of restrictions imposed by Santa Cruz County. As event planners will tell you, reserving space far in advance is the best way to prevent disappointment. Some of these facilities are booked a year or more ahead, especially for popular days, such as Saturdays. These wineries are interesting places to visit, even for those who are not connoisseurs of the grape. They offer great vistas of the mountains, pleasant company and a sense of history. Burrell School Vineyards This family-owned vineyard and winery is located at the historic 1890 Burrell School House. But the tradition goes back even further. Lyman J. Burrell first planted grapevines in the Santa Cruz Mountains near the existing winery in 1854. The Burrell School served the Summit community until 1950. David and Anne Moulton bought the property in 1973. They renovated the school building, planted new vines and located their winery building at the site of the teacher’s carriage house. They grow their own Chardonnay and Merlot vines. Their tasting room serves Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Zinfandels. They are open for tasting on weekends from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and by appointment. They feature a ridge top picnic area, heirloom gazebo, spectacular views and their own estate vines. Silver Mountain Vineyards When the Loma Prieta Earthquake destroyed his winery in 1989, Jerold O’Brien faced a difficult decision. Should he give up the wine business or start again from scratch? After mulling over his options for nearly a year, he decided he would create better facilities that could be used for wine production and marketing as well as enjoyed by the local community. Designed to take advantage of spectacular views of the vineyards, mountains and Monterey Bay, Silver Mountain includes an amphitheater with a stage, picnic facilities, extensive decks, a commercial kitchen and a tasting room. Jerold has a strong commitment to community organizations. He has donated his facilities for fundraising dinners for the Loma Prieta Community Foundation and Skyland Church, a donor reception for Shakespeare Santa Cruz, meetings of the local school board, and the annual Loma Prieta Elementary School teachers’ holiday party. Educational tours are available that focus on viticulture, organic vineyards and the winemaking process. The tasting room is open by appointment as well as for four quarterly Passport Day open house events, the Vintners’ Festival each June, and an annual community open house. Ample on-site parking is available. The winery is located on Miller Hill Road, about a mile east of San Jose-Soquel Road. David Bruce Winery Although Dr. David Bruce was raised in a strict teetotaler family, he is committed to making the world’s greatest Pinot Noir. Starting in 1989, he produced a series of highly successful Pinot Noirs. His 1990 Estate Pinot Noir won the grand taste-off at the Vintner’s Club in San Francisco. His most recent wines have garnered pages of special awards and gold medals, but he isn’t satisfied. He feels that he still hasn’t made the world’s finest Pinot Noir. While he enjoys trying, his customers are enjoying every attempt. The David Bruce tasting room is open from 12 noon to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. The winery can host picnics (four tables of six) and corporate events in three rooms serving up to fifty people each. They do not host weddings. The David Bruce Winery is located on Bear Creek Road, five miles west of Highway 17. Byington Vineyard and Winery The area’s biggest winery, Byington was founded in 1987 by wine collector and entrepreneur, Bill Byington. The 18,000 square foot chateau houses a 25,000 case capacity wine production facility, tasting room and rooms for weddings, receptions and corporate events. Featured wines: Santa Cruz Mountain appellation Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. Featuring some beautiful views, especially from the hilltop near the chateau, Byington provides an excellent facility for weddings. Rates range from $1750 to $4300, depending on the day of the week and the specific facilities used. Our daughter Jill was married there, and she was impressed by the level of service and the beauty of the location. Their corporate services include one-stop planning, with six dinner menus, buffet or sit down, ranging in price form $49.50 to $77.50 per person. Although this sounds expensive, the price covers facility fee, wine, service staff and meal. Depending on the day of the week and time of day, Byington can serve from thirty to one hundred people or more. Byington Winery is located on Bear Creek Road, approximately 5.5 miles west of Highway 17. |
|
(c) 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 mountain network news All rights reserved.
|