Rhys Pickup day 3/17, other wineries to feasibly visit?

I’ve had my previous orders of Rhys shipped, but I’m finally going to head down on 3/17 to check out the facility and explore the area a bit. I’m heading down from Marin, not familiar with SCM at all.

I’d like to try to get into Ridge that day as well (I understand it’s not very close…estimates on time distance?), wondering if there are a couple of “must-visit” other places in the vicinity of these two producers? I’m less interested in Zin specialists…open to all others.

And I apologize if this subject has been covered in the past…lots of Rhys threads…not as many “who is close” threads.

Thanks!

Blaine

Thomas Fogarty is close by!

Their “Rapley Trail” is yummy. (If they have any left).

TTT

The Santa Cruz Mountains are the definition of ‘You can’t get there from here’.

Mount Eden is ~15 miles (to the turnoff, not the winery), 30 - 35 minutes from Rhys. Add another 15 - 20 minutes from the turnoff. The reward is one of the most beautiful places in the world and the best winery in California. Appointments only.

There are dozens of other tiny, close-but-not-so-close wineries in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Very few are open except by appointment.

Here is a link to the association website: http://www.scmwa.com/

It is out of date, of course.

There is a wonderful conglomeration of wineries and tasting rooms in Santa Cruz itself.

Dan Kravitz

I’d recommend aiming to be at Rhys at the start, which I assume will be 10am. That gives you time to travel around.

Ridge is probably 45 minutes. Down, across, up. Nice drive. The current line-up includes an option of tasting estate Chard and Cab plus a Monte Bello, so it’s not all Zins.

Big Basin’s tasting room is downtown Saratoga. Cooper-Garrod is a rural winery half-way from Rhys to Ridge. If you like rugged cool climate Syrah, their current release is quite nice. The Viognier is rather good, too.

Or you could go west on hwy. 9 to Ahlgren. Old school and rustic. Their Bates Ranch Cab can be excellent.

You could head to Santa Cruz. I’d recommend a visit to the Surf City Vintners, which is a cluster of wineries. The best there is Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyards, who, in addition to their excellent Pinots have a line of Iberian variety wines under the Quinta Cruz label. Odonata wines are also excellent, if they’re pouring. Randall Grahm has an excellent small plates restaurant (The Cellar Door) there, also.

http://scmwine.wikispaces.com/Wineries