Wine tasting aside, part of the experience when visiting a winery and cellar door is the location and atmosphere.
We tend to seek out wineries with great views and a relaxed atmosphere. Somewhere to just sit back with a glass of wine and cheese plate or picnic.
We’ve spent time in Saratoga, California over several summers, enjoying a winery visit or two each time. Saratoga sits in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, about an hour south of San Francisco.
An easy day trip, or you can stay in Downtown Saratoga for two or three nights to fully enjoy the area at a more leisurely pace. You will need a car, or driver, to visit these wineries. The drive in itself is part of the fun!
There are many wineries to choose from so to help you narrow it down for your visit here are our four favourites we’ve returned to year on year. They all have something unique about them, great wine, lovely views and surroundings and a lot of history.
House Family Vineyards
Perched high in the hills, House Family Vineyards is ideal for lovers of red wine or Chardonnay and great views. There is a lot to love about visiting House. The drive through the hills, the view, the outdoor terrace and the wine of course.
The outdoor terrace is one of our favourite places in the entire area to enjoy a glass of wine on a warm summer afternoon. Charcuterie and cheese plates are available for purchase or when we visited you could BYO picnic snacks to enjoy. During the summer we visited, the cellar door stayed open until 8pm on a Friday and we enjoyed a BBQ dinner with our wine. Check their website for seasonal information about food offerings and hours before you go.
Be aware that parking is a bit limited and there is a reasonable distance to walk from the parking area to the tasting area, so it’s best to leave the heels at home unless you are as sure-footed as a mountain goat.
Picchetti Winery
Picchetti takes a bit of finding up Montebello Road, but it is so worth the visit.
Tastings can be taken in the cellar door and there is also a large picnic area with tables outside to enjoy a glass or bottle purchased from the cellar door.
Wines usually on offer include red, white, rosé, sparkling and dessert. We have been lucky to visit when Rosé has been available. Bring snacks or lunch, as there is no food onsite, and grab a picnic table. You may even get a visit from one of the peacocks that roam the grounds.
This historic winery is located on the Picchetti Ranch Open Space Preserve. The preserve features 3.7 miles of trails if you are keen for a hike. There are a few rules and restrictions to be aware of due to the surroundings including no dogs. All the details can be found on their website.
The Mountain Winery
This one is not a small operation, and it is more of a concert and event venue than a winery, but it ticks a lot of boxes for us. Firstly, there is a lot of history to this place, which was founded in 1901 by Frenchman, Paul Masson. Do I hear you say Pinot?
The estate helped put California on the world wine map but during the 1950s wine making ceased and a concert venue was built. It wasn’t until the early 2000s the vineyards were reestablished and today there is estate grown Pinot Noir and Chardonnay on offer along with a selection of wines from other producers.
Mountain Winery is home to the famous summer concert series each year and is the perfect spot to enjoy an outdoor concert.
When we visited, wine tastings and sales were taken from the Winery Deck. A great place to enjoy a wine tasting and one of their cheese plates. We’ve also found a range of other producers wines available and a sensational Rosé All Day flight.
Be sure to take a wander around the estate and soak in the views before you leave.
Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyards
This is a great place to sit back and relax in a natural setting. It’s tucked away at the end of Garrod Road, with great views. Cooper-Garrod is not just a vineyard and winery. It’s also a horse stable. There is an interesting story and history dating back over 100 years. Read more about the Ranch and Garrod Farms.
The wines are all estate grown and organic. Outstanding drops include the Viognier, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon. There is a great picnic area that overlooks the vines and horses.
There are two ways to settle in. The Garden Patio has a small bites menu and outside food isn’t allowed. Or, if you would rather bring your own picnic, sit in the Picnic area overlooking the vines and horses. It’s an open outdoor area, so keep an eye on the weather and be sure to book, especially on weekends.
There is live music at the winery on weekends between 2 and 4pm. And, you can book a Vineyard Tour or a Horseback Riding and Wine Tour. How unique?
We’ve only visited on a weekday though, so we had the place pretty much to ourselves to enjoy.
Planning Your Saratoga Winery Visit
All four wineries are within a short drive of each other, so you could easily visit two in an afternoon, though we prefer to choose one, settle in and make a day of it. Most cellar doors are open from around midday, and summer weekends get busy, so arrive early if you have your heart set on a table with a view.
Hours and bookings change from season to season, so check each winery’s website before you go.