Visiting Big Basin’s tasting room in downtown Saratoga is certainly the most convenient way to taste Big Basin’s wines. The alternative, trekking out to its winery and estate vineyard in Boulder Creek — open only on weekends — requires a considerable drive down winding roads. It’s worth it for the views, the chance to walk through the Rattlesnake Rock vineyard and the nearby hiking trails, but the storefront tasting room in Saratoga is a fine place to taste too.
Since winemaker Bradley Brown founded Big Basin Vineyards in 1998, he’s been producing some of the Santa Cruz Mountains’ most refined, soulful wines. He excels in the modern, leaner style of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that is becoming more commonplace in the region, but Brown is also one of the leaders in Rhone-style wines, especially Syrah, Grenache and Roussanne.
The Saratoga tasting room, adjacent to the one that Lexington and Mindego Ridge wineries share, is small and bright. On a recent visit, a Willie Nelson album was spinning in the record player. The staff is friendly and knows how to wave the flag for the fresh styles of wines in which Big Basin specializes. The wines are so delicious that you’ll likely emerge a convert. You’ll be able to take a self-guided vineyard tour and make an appointment for a private tasting ($40), which is personalized and includes charcuterie and cheese with each wine.
WHAT TO TRY: Start with Big Basin’s Chardonnay, which is one of the Santa Cruz Mountains’ best; it’s rich but nervy with tense acidity. The hits keep coming from there: the savory Woodruff Family Vineyard Pinot Noir; the restrained, barely fruity Gabilan Mountains Grenache-Syrah-Mourvedre blend; the floral, peppery Old Corral Syrah.
INSIDE INFO: If you’re an aspiring green thumb, check out the Hakone Estate Gardens, just a five-minute walk from Big Basin’s tasting room.