Wrights Station Vineyard is a picturesque winery located in the Santa Cruz Mountains, California, at an altitude of 1,800 feet. The vineyard has a unique northeast-facing orientation, which protects it from direct sunlight in the afternoon and allows it to retain the natural acidity of its fruit. The vineyard sits on a slope overlooking the Los Gatos Creek and the soil is a complex mix of sand, clay, and slate, likely influenced by the nearby San Andreas Fault.
The vineyard was first planted in 1981 with Chardonnay, which is some of the oldest in the region. The Chardonnay is planted on AXR rootstock and the Wente Clone 4 scions produce large clusters of fruit. The mountain climate of the vineyard preserves the fruit’s natural acidity, giving the Chardonnay flavors of citrus, apple, and pear, with hints of tropical fruits. These Chardonnay vines are non-irrigated, which intensifies the flavors of the berry.
In addition to the Chardonnay, the vineyard also planted Pinot Noir in 2000 and 2001. The Pinot Noir is planted on a mix of 101-14 rootstock and grafted onto aged Chardonnay rootstock. The Pinot Noir grapes are predominantly Clones 667 and 777, with a selection of Pommard completing the roster. The fruit flavors of the Pinot Noir are typically bold, with notes of cherries and dark berries, and the wines produced from these grapes are rich and rewarding.
The winery has taken the original 1947 farmhouse and renovated it into an elegantly appointed tasting room. As you enter the tasting room, you are invited to relax in the living room, lounge on the enclosed porch, or utilize the dining room for an intimate winemaker dinner or corporate meeting. Of course, if it’s wine you’re interested in, you can stroll up to the tasting bar, which is fashioned from reclaimed barn wood, and sample a selection of handcrafted estate and other wines sourced from local vineyards. From the bar, you can enjoy the spectacular views of the vineyard below and the ridges of the Santa Cruz Mountains in the distance.
The winery itself was originally a space for chinchillas and horses, but it now serves as a laboratory, fermentation room, and a space for aging and storing Wrights Station wine. The entry room of the winery is highlighted by three chandeliers made from wine barrels and serves a variety of purposes, including being a laboratory and fermentation room. The second room of the winery houses the barrels, which are a mix of ages and cooperages and provide the wine with a complex diversity of flavors. The tank room of the winery holds temperature-controlled tanks for blending, storing, and bottling the vintages.
The winemaker at Wrights Station is owner Dan Lokteff, who was previously the winemaker at Storrs Winery in Santa Cruz. He holds a wine making certificate from UC Davis and strives for minimal intervention during the winemaking process to allow the vineyard to express itself and show the brilliance of Santa Cruz Mountain fruit.
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Marina Means
3 months agoStand out winery - we had a wine passport for the area that gives you tastings at a lot of local wineries within the Peninsula - Santa Cruz County and Wrights was one of our favorites. The wines were delicious, the service was super friendly and their location is serene among the trees and vineyards. Also the drive off of 17 was really easy. Would go back and definitely recommend.
Dina McMahon
a year agoA beautiful and spacious winery with multiple rooms, patio with a view of the mountains, vineyards and redwoods. I recently planned and designed a small event here in the Dining Room which can accommodate small groups and large if you use the patio. There is also other bigger rooms for weddings and corporate events. Carol and Dani were amazing venue coordinators and all staff was very friendly. The moment you walk in here you feel comfortable and happy and they offer you one of the best local wine! DINA'S DELUXE EVENTS recommended
Teri Bocko
a year agoSo impressed with this Vineyard after capturing a wedding there this summer. The tasting room has such charm to it with a really cozy ambience overlooking the vineyards. The wedding space felt really special, guests walk down to the hidden redwood grove and can have a beautiful and quiet place for their ceremony and reception. It's like a big secret forest hidden by all the beautiful vines. Just perfect, what a hidden gem for weddings in the Santa Cruz mountains!
Carolyn Lê
4 months agoWineries are great—but Wrights Station Winery stands out among the rest because of their hospitality, the enchanting views, the wine, and their natural ability to exude warmth and welcoming vibes. We stumbled upon Wrights Station years ago while on a work assignment to research lost railroad tracks that connected San Jose to Santa Cruz. Wrights Station has a rich, fascinating history involving Chinese railroad workers, the military, TNT, the 1905 earthquake, and the legacy of local entrepreneurs and pioneers that influenced Santa Cruz and the SC mountains. Wrights Station Winery was once a rail stop for families on picnic excursions from the South Bay to Santa Cruz. Today, it is *the* perfect picnic excursion. The winery itself is situated on a sunny hill surrounded by vines and redwood trees. Dan the winemaker is often seen interacting and serving guests. It’s dog friendly. There are fun events and pop ups throughout the month. A beautiful venue for hosting. Amazing deals for wine club members: 4 free tastings 2x a month, discounts, special events, and more. My partner loves wine, and I find wine and wineries intimidating. We take all our friends and out of town guests here. Wright Station has something for everybody. Dani in particular is warm and delightful. We always look forward to seeing her and she makes us feel right at home.
Monica Multer
2 years agoA wonderful place to sip wine in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The views are unparalleled and the patio is amazing. They also recently opened up a redwood grove in the lower part of the vineyard that is perfect for private events. The rolling hills covered in endless vines is gorgeous. I really enjoyed their Chardonnay personally but all of their wines were very good.