Loved this very small winery atmosphere. We were greeted by the owner/winemaker, Len, and treated…read moreto a tasting outdoors in a shady area with a communal picnic table. Most of the grapes are grown nearby and all of the wine was made by Len. This was a thoroughly enjoyable experience laced with philosophy and stories of the winemaker community in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Not to mention Bruno, the dog, who was eager to play and slightly demanding, but very sweet. Dessert wine (white port) was very unique. Portola holds Jazz concerts on Sunday evenings in the summer. I would recommend trying to buy tickets for these. Looks like a treat!

We come here every year for their jazz in the Grove series. It is such a great event. I highly…read morerecommend taking advantage of this. Where else can you grab a chair, sit out in the woods and listen to some jazz for an hour and a half while sipping wine?

TLdr; beautiful location, average wine…read more Tasting Fee is $35 per guest. Cheese and charcuterie for 4 was $80. One tasting waived if you buy $100 of wine. 2024 Leona Unoaked Chardonnay vs 2023 Leoncita Chardonnay. No contest. The 2023 in oak was MUCH better. 2024 Lucy's Rosé of Pinot Noir 2022 Hidden Block Pinot Noir 2016 Hidden Block Pinot Noir Not surprisingly, 2016 had the most complexity. Rosé is decent, if that's your thing. The grounds are scenic and the facility was modern and clean. The people working here are very nice but it gets busy so there were sometimes uncomfortably long gaps between pours.

Such a lovely vibe and amazing experience set on a beautiful property - this was my second time…read morehere and it didn't disappoint. We enjoyed an intimate experience with only one other party on a Wednesday afternoon. Service is welcoming, the wine is on point and the bites are such a great pairing for the tasting.

Wines are ok. Very dog friendly and the food looks good! Seating is a bit tight, and at times hard…read moreto find, but it was a nice local place to visit. Service was good too.

Actually it's at and put on by Autovino. Their Friday afternoon outdoor live music shows are worth…read morechecking out. The pizzas and chicken wings are delicious, too.

Spencer is a great host, their collection of wines have aged beautifully, and their tasting space…read morehas not only an attractive bar up front but also open space in the back for large parties or quiet enjoyment of their wines.

We dropped in Sunday around 4pm. Glad we made it before it closed at 5pm. Nice staff. We also met…read morethe winemaker Spencer. They are generous with the wine pours. $18 tasting fee for 5 wines. Their wines are bolder tasting and not bad. Most of the wines weren't tannic until you get to the last one. But nothing really stood out for us to buy any bottles. You can revisit an extra wine at the end. You can also bring outside food. They are dog and kid friendly. An open aired winery room. They also have tasting at the bar. Parking is on the street or in the parking lot shared with Devil's Canyon brewery. 1 bathroom inside. Give this place a try! Friends said it's better than the bland wines at Woodside Vineyard that they went to before coming here.

WORLD RENOWNED! 5.0…read more Living in the Bay Area, we're fortunate to have Ridge Winery right in our own "backyard." Ridge's winemakers craft some of the most exceptional wines by blending a variety of grapes into the finished product...the wine in your glass. Everywhere we dine, both on land and at sea, the Ridge name is well known and highly respected for producing outstanding wines. From the base of the mountain, the 15-minute drive up Montebello Road is a winding route to the winery. Some of the turns have a very tight radius, and you'll be sharing the road with cyclists as well as oncoming traffic, so drive with extra caution. Before your visit, be sure to reserve a tasting on their website. Tastings are available for a fee for non-members. We belong to the Trio Membership, which includes ATP, Z List, and Monte Bello Collector. Ridge also offers private release events for members, along with additional benefits depending on the membership level (see their membership page for details). These events often feature exclusive tastings and wine releases accompanied by hors d'oeuvre stations arranged throughout the property. On non-event days, our tastings are complimentary, and we're allowed to bring up to two guests. Small bites, including cheeses, crackers, pâté, and salami, are available for purchase. When the weather is just right (not too hot or too cold) the winery opens several seating areas, including the covered barn, the shaded patio adjoining the barn, and multiple patio spaces at varying elevations throughout the property. Wear comfortable shoes, as you'll be walking along short but hilly paved pathways. One word of caution: you'll notice posted signs warning, "Beware of Rattlesnakes." Fortunately, we've yet to encounter one. The winery itself is absolutely beautiful, with impeccably manicured grounds. Meandering pathways lead you through the barn, out to the patios, and up to the top of the hill, where you're rewarded with breathtaking views of the valley. You know you're perched high above Silicon Valley when you look down and spot two iconic landmarks: Apple's Ring Building, better known as "The Spaceship," and Moffett Field's Hangar One. At an elevation of 2,300 feet, these massive structures appear surprisingly small. The winery's crème de la crème is the Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon. Not only does this wine age beautifully, but it has also appreciated significantly in value over the years. We currently have a 2009 bottle that will need to be opened soon. I recommend following the guidance printed on the back label, which suggests the ideal number of years to cellar the wine before opening. During our last tasting, I especially enjoyed the 2024 Paso Robles Zinfandel, which has a recommended drinking window of about seven years. It was already drinking beautifully, but I'm looking forward to tasting it again in 2031 and comparing how it has evolved. A visit to Ridge Winery always makes for a wonderful afternoon: a scenic, twisty drive, thoughtfully guided wine tastings, spectacular views, and, of course, a few bottles to bring home and enjoy later. This review isn't intended to analyze the subtleties and tasting notes of each wine. Rather, it's an invitation to experience Ridge for yourself, learn about its wines through a guided tasting, and discover your own favorites. Compare, explore, and elevate your palate.

Beautiful winery with stunning views of the Santa Cruz Mountains and a lovely overall atmosphere…read more We had an 11:00 AM tasting reservation. Based on years of visiting wineries, we typically arrive about 10 minutes early to allow time for parking, check-in, and getting settled. We arrived at 10:50 AM, only to find the gates closed. There were about five other parties waiting outside the gate as well, which was a bit surprising. The gates were opened right at 11:00 AM. If the team is not ready to welcome guests before the scheduled start time, it would be better not to offer an 11:00 AM reservation slot. This was a first for us and could be improved with better guest communication. Once inside, we were seated promptly, and our tasting host was very pleasant and knowledgeable. However, she stepped away for about 15 minutes, and the transition to the next tasting was delayed until we had to ask for assistance. A smoother handoff between team members would have made the experience feel more seamless. We also purchased a bottle of wine and were surprised that single-bottle wine carriers were not available. Having a simple wine bag or carrier option would be a nice touch, especially for guests who are purchasing to take home. Overall, the winery has a wonderful setting, beautiful surroundings, and a great vibe. With a few improvements to guest arrival coordination, service flow, and small hospitality details, it could be an exceptional experience.

We were lucky to able to make an appointment for 3 of us on the day of. We arrived on time for our…read moreSaturday 1pm appointment. It was $10 for tasting 4 wines. 3 cabs and 1 syrah. We liked the 3rd cab on the list. The syrah tasted lighter than other syrahs I've tasted. I'm guessing there can only be at most 2 appointments at once. We were there at 1pm and another group came at 1:30pm. We all got to go on a short tour to the vineyard and the wine cellar basement. One bathroom in the house for guests to use. Driving up to the vineyard was very narrow and scary. There's 4-5 parking spaces. Very intimate and quiet tasting experience. Noelle and Bill were very friendly and welcoming. They only make about 300 wines. About 75 for each wine. Prices of the wines vary from $25-40. Their dog is very friendly. My husband got a nice extra splash for drinking his wine fast haha. Bill didn't want him to have an empty glass during the tour. Thoughtful of him! Definitely check out this vineyard if you like red wines and more intimate setting.

Thank you for hosting us today, after last minute reservations in our day off! Greatly appreciated!…read moreWonderful afternoon with great wine, tour, view, and a friendly and hospitable atmosphere. Will recommend this vineyard to many. Don't forgot to take home a bottle, enjoyed the 2019 Cabernet!