windy oaks estate

If you would like to see a down to earth winery with great pinot - this is it. Not commercialized like many others in Ca. A real family operation. Jim & Judy make everyone feel welcome. If your local also visit the Corralitas meat and grocery store. Great sausage and marinated strip steaks.

On a friend's recommendation, I went to Windy Oaks January 2013, as part of SCMWA's Passport Day. I took the way in from San Jose via Gilroy & Watsonville. Getting there via Santa Cruz would have been easier.When I arrived, I was told they left the Passport program, but they would honor my passort anyway.Family operation at the top fo the mountain. The rutted dirt driveway to the tasting room from the county road might be difficult in wet weather without 4WD. Open Saturdays only, noon to 5:00.The trip was well worth it. Tasting room abuts the estate vineyard, and there's a short trail to the top from where you can have a picnic and see the Monterey Bay on a good afternoon. Family and one family friend working the teasting room. Not a bad wine was poured--all excellent examples of the best of Santa Cruz Mountain pinot noir. I left with a varied selection.May be a challenge to your GPS, but well worth the trip.

Excellent setting and especially nice with their new tasting room. The wine is fantastic so we are club members. Very much a family operation that we appreciate.

The Windy Oaks winery is located several miles up a winding country road. Make the effort to call and visit. They feature Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Behind the tasting room there is a walk through the vineyard to the top of a hill with a wonderful view of the Salinas valley and Monterrey Bay Area. The wines are very good. The winery is open to the public on Wine Passport Days and Corralitos Wine Trail Days.