The Iberian six-pack looks like a great way to try new things, which is one of my favorite parts of Berserker Day. Do you have any ways to ship to Michigan? I know my state does not make that nearly as easy as it should. 
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I’m afraid there’s no way I can ship to MI. I use VinoShipper for my out of CA shipping and compliance and MI makes it so hard even they won’t work with it. Best I could do is ship to neighboring allowed states. Darn alcohol bean counters keeping us from enjoying the good things in life!
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Bummer, but I understand. Thanks for the response. I’ll hope to see some of these interesting Quinta Cruz wines out in the wild.
Thank you and enjoy your “research”! There is so much to discover, especially in Portuguese varieties. Portugal is a country the size of Maine with something like 250 endemic varieties! A lifetime of exploration available.
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Hi Jeff,
It’s been a long time since we last spoke, saw each other (possibly at a Fungus Federation wine dinner.) After leaving Ridge to work north in Napa Valley, I came back and started up a solo project with my winemaking partner Shun (also from Ridge.) It has been great being back in Santa Cruz and having the independence to make wine the way we prefer. I remember tasting some of your portuguese varieties at some point in the past. I love Touriga Nacional, but I’m sure you’re making more than that and some other really cool varieties. That’s the great thing about our area is that it doesn’t have to conform to mainstream varieties and that the climate around Santa Cruz and immediate area is ideal for so many different grapes. I’m going to need to look you up and meet. Would be fun to show you my wines. All the best, Eric Baugher
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Quinta Cruz was my gateway into SCMV and SCM in general. Heck I even did my bachelor party out in Santa Cruz.
In for the Iberian pack - can’t wait to try them!
Thanks for chiming in Eric! There are just SO many incredible grape varieties in the world there is no reason not to explore and enjoy things that are less common and very interesting. Well… the reason might be that selling them is a lot harder than selling things folks already know, but I’d say the majority of us didn’t get into this business for the money anyhow. And yes, there are so many micro climates in the Santa Cruz Mountains one can fit a lot of different things here, though at the moment I still have to go out of the AVA for most of the Quinta Cruz grapes. Just need some more adventurous vineyard owners, but I am seeing that change lately.
Would love to catch up with you and try what you’ve been making lately.
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Great wines and selection. My Wine Berserker favorite
Do you have a personal favorite vineyard in SCM?
Wow! Thanks so much Mark! I appreciate it.
That’s a hard one. It’s a bit like asking about a favorite song, it sometimes depends on mood. For the emotional/historical connection to my 47 years of doing this it would probably have to be Bates Ranch. I’ve been going there since before I was old enough to legally drink and now I’m old enough to collect Social Security this year. The vineyard is old-school California planted in 1972. Not only does it have the emotional connection for me, when you get out of your vehicle at the vineyard you can smell the complexities that end up in the wine from the location - more so than most other locations I’ve worked with.
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Jeff! It was great meeting you last week! I pulled the trigger on the Santa Cruz Mountains Four Pack - couldn’t resist after tasting several of these with you!
For those not familiar with Jeff and his wines, I stopped by the winery and Jeff spent a ton of time with me sharing the history of the AVA and generously opening several wines including that stunning 2003 Vine Hill Reserve. He had double decanted it for a dinner he was attending that evening with Virginie Boone. Being able to taste it with the right amount of air with the person who made was incredible!
I just posted my tasting notes on CellarTracker for the 2003 as well as the Clos de Madrone, Luchessi Cab, Durif, and Zayante Syrah from the four pack he’s offering - these are seriously special, age-worthy wines that drink more like Europe than California. Also DO NOT sleep on the 2003 he’s offering - that wine still has decades ahead of it and was one of the best Pinots I’ve had this year.
Brad
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Wow Brad! Thanks for the purchase and the great write-up. Honestly it is because I opened that 2003 Vine Hill Reserve Pinot Noir when you were visiting and I saw how nice it was showing I got the idea to offer it as a special release for Berserker Day.
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Is the 2017 Luchessi “Reserve” Cabernet Sauvignon in cellartracker yet? Do you know @JeffEmery?
Definitely not on Cellar Tracker as the world didn’t know it existed until I released it for this Beserker Day package. Those of you who were nice enough to purchase it from us will be the first ones to taste it in the general market. And thanks for that!
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Late to the party but in for the Iberian varietals sampler pack. My local wine tasting (read: drinking) group is in on it with me, and we’re looking forward to trying these unusual single varietals. Such a fun offering, thank you!