A tasting room with multiple bubbly flight options?! Yes please! I knew Equinox had bubbles, but didn't know they also had a wine label and made still wines as well. They had 3 bubbly flights and 3 still wine flights to choose from, all of which offered 3 wines for a $20 tasting fee. They also offered a you pick 4 flight for $25. As a bubble lover, I of course had to go with one of the bubble flights. It was a tough decision between the sparkling white and rosé, but I ended up going with the white. Lucky for me, they also let me taste one of the sparkling rosés as well. I liked that they poured all 3 tastes at once so that I was able to compare each wine and ultimately end on my favorite of the pours. I think I typically prefer other methods than méthode champenoise for my bubbly, but it was still fun to try a variety of their offerings. They had a few different seating areas inside as well as some outdoor tables. We opted to sit inside at the bar so that we could chat with them a bit more about the wines. We were helped by Sue and one other tasting associate. Both were super nice, personable, and fun to chat with! Definitely worth the visit if you like sparkling wine! read more

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Amazing sparkling wine, perfect for champagne, fans, wonderful service and staff and an excellent part of town where you can get some tacos or food from the restaurant next-door and sit outside and enjoy your tasting. I often bring my kids and staff is quite friendly, offering them a juice or animal crackers. Note they have a new URL the correct website is https://equinox-winery.obtainwine.com/collection/wines read more

Location is good. Sparkling Blanc de Blanc is good - the other sparkling was too yeasty for me. They had oysters for purchase the day I went but I didn't try those. Order by the glass and stick to Blanc de Blanc - cheaper by the bottle if you plan on hanging out read more

We were planning to go elsewhere for beer but were intrigued by their advertisement of sparkling wines. The owner and employees are all very nice and accommodating, and allowed us to build a custom flight for the same price as the regular flights ($17). We tried the rosé (good), cuvée (good), merlot (very smooth but not flavorful), and tawny port (not a true 'port' as it was made locally, but solid). They also seem to be fine with outside food, which is perfect as there are several food options in this strip. read more

Equinox - three glasses of wine on a table - Wine Tasting Room Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Stopped to try some wine after dinner and Barry was personable and knowledgeable about wines. Enjoyed the conversation with him and will visit again when we are in the area. We bought a 2013 Merlot, read more

Fantastic wines and great Sparkling Wines. I VERY strongly recommend either of the Cioppino wines.

They are the nicest. And so accommodating. And a little bit disorganized - but I'm ok with it. My husband got me a wine club subscription for Christmas and none of our shipments have actually just come - we've had to sort of track them down, and when I went in this weekend to update my credit card I had just been dropped from the wine club. ‍ But it doesn't really matter. They fixed it and we are good. Right, the wine. I like it. It is really solid sparkling wine. They have some that I like less than others but that is the normal with wine - in general it's really well made. Bartolo their partner winery makes a really nice Merlot grape port too. And they are just so friendly. Happy to answer all kinds of questions and gab about wine for a long time - they are clearly very knowledgeable. They also are happy to leave you alone and just let you hang if that's your vibe. And they are kid friendly. They have juice boxes and cookies. And coloring books and crayons. Indoor and outdoor seating. Comfortable seats inside. Wine club is a great deal too - free tasting for you and a friend whenever! read more

A second visit in one week reflects the satisfaction we found with the wine and the knowledgeable, friendly and welcoming staff. If you do not go to Equinox, you will miss something very special. read more

Great hosts and fabulous libations. Nice Santa Cruz hidden gem! A minute from Highway 1 and two from a spectacular view of Monterey Bay.

Came by to pick up a bottle for New Years. Service was great and very friendly. Masks and cleaning between people was done. The champagne is sooo good and very dry. Bought a bottle of Blan de blancs and the rose. Could have gotten more, but was a little pricier. Each was $45. Not sweet at all which can be challenging to find. Will definitely be back after dry January;) read more

Equinox - Blanc de Blancs and rose. So good!! - Wine Tasting Room Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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We love Equinox so much, it is our first ever wine club that we joined. We don't even live in the California area, but we don't regret joining. Sparkling wine is my absolute favorite, and they really know how to do it well at Equinox. It is on par with some of the best French champagne that I have had. In my opinion they are the best kept secret in northern California wine country. There is a reason that they do the riddling for 22 other wine producers. We were on a really short trip, but we made a point of coming back twice, and not only loved our tasting but it was just a really nice place to hang out and chat with the locals. I am sad that we don't live closer so that we could patronize it more often, but happy that they ship to Minnesota. read more

After a long day in Santa Cruz, I'm disappointed that we chose to taste here instead of one of the many other locations surrounding Equinox. The man working barely acknowledged us. He poured wine and walked away to another group. With this group he told stories and jokes and was readily available for whatever they needed (two feet away from us sitting at the bar). He gave us one word answers when we asked questions about the wine. He acted like he was annoyed that we were there and taking his time away from the other group. He freaked out when a woman took over helping us and went to pour my husband a taste when he was not tasting. It was not busy. It was not crowded. He was completely unprofessional and unwelcoming. The only redeeming quality was that when we were almost done with out tasting someone took over helping us with the last taste. We go tasting often, and have never left without buying at least one bottle of wine, until we went to Equinox. To be honest, we almost didn't even stay to experience the entire tasting. I sincerely hope some changes are made. read more

Cost per glass and bottle its a bit pricey. Good quality champ but not for this price. Great cozy little spot and great customer service read more

Equinox - cost per glass and bottle is pricey, quality is good but not for that price. it is a nice little cozy place, customer service is great. - Wine Tasting Room Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

I visited with a friend on a Saturday. We were glad to find the tasting room open in the early evening, and were drawn in by the champagne sign and the pintresty decor. I wanted to dive in and love everything about it and buy bottles, but honestly neither of the wine flights my friend or I had were good. I had the mix and she had the reds. They just tasted really sulfitey and dirty. The best of my bunch was a sparking. The rest of the patrons were nice, the service was nice and friendly, I just couldn't get through whatever it was that had me not wishing for more. I'm really hoping that I get to return and try the other sparkling flights and see if my tastebuds just had an off day with their other varietals. Ambience and business wise I would definitely come back. read more

Wow! My new home away from home. They are super welcoming and definitely the way you want to start your visit to the area. Amazing bubbles, great local reds, you will not be disappointed. The staff will blow your mind. The are amazing, and welcoming , knowledgable. Don't drink wine in Santa Cruz without stopping here first. An amazing experience. read more

Equinox - Wine Tasting Room Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Barry knows his wines! Went in for a champagne tasting to get a case for our small backyard wedding. Got three different kinds of bubbly, one still, and a port! Definitely worth going in for a flight or just a glass. Be prepared to walk away with a bottle or 11 read more

I could tell you about the delicious wine and wonderful tasting menus they have at Equinox, but there are plenty of other reviews that can do that, and much better than I. What I do want to tell you about is what happened after my girlfriend and I left Equinox. We went next door to Sones (another fabulous establishment that will be getting my 5-star review next) to have another glass of wine. We're sitting there, chatting, when all of a sudden the bottle of wine we bought at Equinox falls to the floor. Crash. Wine everywhere. This is what happens when people drink. Oh well. My girlfriend and I write it off as an unfortunate loss. The guy working at Sones at the time asked where we got the bottle from. We say from next door. He saunters off and we continue on with our conversation. It's not like it was a $500 bottle so we were fine. No less than five minutes later the woman who served us at Equinox walks in and sets a new bottle of wine on our table to replace the bottle we broke. They didn't have to do this. Dropping the bottle was 100% our fault. Yet they did. This is how you build a business. I will without a doubt stop back at Equinox every time I visit Santa Cruz not just for the tasty wine they have, but because of the good people that work there. And I highly advise others to do the same. read more

If you don't stop in here for a quick wine tasting, you will be missing out! The bf and I stopped in here after an afternoon in Santa Cruz and were blown away. Jennifer helped us with the tasting and was incredibly friendly and lovely to talk too. Her husband Barry is the wine maker and he sat and chatted with us as well. We were able to taste 4 of their most popular wines (they mixed a special flight just for us) and the wines were quite delicious. Their sparkling wines are something different from the rest and of course we had to buy a bottle to go. These bottles are worth every last penny- we will absolutely be coming back here in the future read more

Barry & Jen are the best in the business! Not only are their wines and sparklings delicious/high quality. They also happen to be some of the nicest people. The business moved to a higher foot traffic area (334 Ingalls St, C, Santa Cruz, CA 95060) but they are still the same! I attended their Oyster night on Thursday - a reoccurring event with Bill the Oyster man - and had a blast hanging out with a wide variety of friendly people. Can't speak highly enough! Glad to have stumbled upon this place. Also thank you Shelly for always being outstanding and knowledgeable in the tasting room. read more

Equinox - Perfect evening at Equinox - Wine Tasting Room Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Excellent service, great staff, educational visit, and AMAZING champagne!! Must try if you're in the area!! read more

Equinox - Wine Tasting Room Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Wow wow wow! From the pre construction wait to the first day opening we had super high expectations and Equinox did not disappoint!! To be honest It's more like a Spa. Super clean everything, the gym is never packed which I Love and they purposely don't over sell memberships so that's very considerate of its member's, steam room is a dream, rooftop pool for early morning laps. Staff is very responsive and attentive to requests. Equipment is top notch and after workout protein shakes in the Earth bar are second to none. read more

Equinox winery has a beautiful new tasting room, taking over a location previously occupied by Vino Tabi. They are no longer hidden away in an old warehouse but now right in the middle of the "wine destination" area on the westside. The tasting room is very well decorated with artwork and old photography that reflects their champagne passion and makes for a comfortable visiting experience. The winemaker is truly an expert who is called upon by many people for his skill and experience and he is also much in evidence around the place to share his stories and good cheer! Their champagne is exceptional; didn`t try the Bartolo wines yet.......next time! PS they are dog-friendly read more

The best champagne service I Santa Cruz, thank you Shelly! Recommend the sparkling flight and stick around for the reds. Well worth it, hit west end for happy hr afterwords. read more

Equinox is quickly becoming my favorite tasting room on the West Side, which is saying something given how much good wine you can find in this area. Both times I've been the wine maker has ended up pouring for us, giving us both insight and humor as we taste his delicious wines. His enthusiasm for what he does is obvious in both the time he spends with customers and the quality of his wine. They have some really lovely bubbles, if that's your thing, as well as some reds that are a great value for how yummy they are. I highly recommend stopping by! read more

We had a wonderful visit at Equinox. Jennifer and Barry are charming hosts and happy to share their interesting story and details of their winemaking. Well made and tasty methode champenoise sparkling wine. Nice outdoor patio and social distancing. Great spot. Can't wait to go back! read more

Chill and relaxed atmosphere. We were able to bring the offspring to hang out and enjoy some bubbly. Also applied the tasting fee to our bottles so,boom, winners! read more

Barry is the OG of Santa Cruz sparkler makers, with everything from light, fresh rose bubbles to aged, complex offerings. The tasting room off of Swift St in Santa Cruz is welcoming and stays open later than most since, you know, champagne is a great way to kick off your dinner plans. He also makes delicious and interesting still wines...but, I rarely make it past the bubbly. If you're lucky, Barry will pour your tasting himself. read more

Great tasting room! They were so nice, and allowed us to taste even though they weren't open yet! We really enjoyed their sparkling wine! She also gave us great recommendations for other tasting room! We will definitely return with other friends when we have more time. read more

Great wine in a cool location! The staff is friendly and knowledgable without being pretentious. Will definitely be coming back! read more

Equinox - What a babe - Wine Tasting Room Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

I wrote a note directly through the website but haven't heard anything back from anyone acknowledging that they've received an inquiry regarding their customer service, or in this case, lack of. This was our 2nd time to attempt to try Equinox's tasting. This 2nd time was through an article I read from Edible Monterey Winter Issue Release Party at Equinox that I had to register for through Eventbrite. I registered for 2, myself and my daughter. This was on Thursday, December 14th, its between Thanksgiving and Christmas and we're always looking for a local wine to serve to our guests. I'm very proud of the wines Santa Cruz has to offer. As I said, this was our 2nd time to attempt the tasting at Equinox. Both times, we walked in, the sales people behind the bar were very entrenched with their current patrons and didn't even look up with a hello, I'll be right with you. We stood around like idiots for about 10 minutes and then walked over to one of your competitors and had a glass of wine. Every winery has their tastings set up differently. The cost, how many tastings, the whole thing. I couldn't tell you what Equinox's is. I understand that they have their members, and regulars. But to not acknowledge potential customers when they walk in, make them feel at home is pretty inexcusable. Especially when you make them sign up through a 2nd party like Eventbright. I would have thought that you would have had a list and could check people off so you would know if your members came or new people came. And if new people came, wow! Potential new members! Maybe I'm over analyzing this, you know, this making money thing. And as I said, I wrote to ? through their website and still haven't been acknowledged. What do I want, a simple, come back, let's start over and have you taste how wonderful our wines are. Let me tell you about our wines, let me educate you of the differences of each wine. I live in the neighborhood, I live down the street. I would be a regular! If only I could get someone to acknowledge me to taste your wine........ read more

Don't get all the buzz. Stopped in for a tasting and everything was just kind of bland. Bubbles were OK inconsistency, minerality very weak, fruit nondescript.We far prefer many other Northern California sparklers and any run of the mill French cremant or champagne or for that matter many Spanish sparklers. There are many of these that are priced 1/3 to 1/2 of what is charged at the tasting room and are far, far superior. And dare we mention all selections are incredibly overpriced, very poor QTP ratio. read more

Terrific wine, nice and comfortable surroundings and the owners could not have been more gracious and accommodating. We walked in on a day that was blazing hot and they seated us in a cool spot with a fan, served us chilled bottles of Italian water, crackers and handmade wine crackers .... that was all before they generous servings of wine flights that were delicious, diverse and interesting. Woudl highly recommend. read more

It is so very exciting to have methode champenoise made right here in Surf City!! Barry and Jennifer are always a good time to be around, possessing so much information! I personally love the toasty notes found in these balanced bubbles. The blends portray years of skills. A great place to hang out, or purchase a gift. The tasting room is clean and inviting. I'm pretty sure you can find live music here on the weekends. Cheers! read more

Cute tasting room and friendly staff! The staff was accommodating to our walk in bachelorette party and the sparking wine was delicious. Would recommend especially if you like champagne. read more

This place was great! We are regulars to the restaurant next door and decided to come do a tasting tonight while we waited for our table. Service was excellent, they were so great to us and our kids, and plied them with juice and colouring books. The wine was very good, the space was cozy. The staff were all amazing and friendly. We will be back for sure! read more