Windy Oaks Estate
Windy Oaks Estate
5
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5.0
12 reviews
Excellent
10
Very good
2
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Ed S
Minneapolis, MN555 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
Last year we joined their wine club. This year we wanted to have a private tasting with two other couples. They couldn't have been more accommodating and helpful. They set up a special room for us and we had a wonderful tasting of their wines. They offered to bring in food from a local deli (we paid for it) but it was a treat to have lunch during the wine tasting. After the tasting, we rode to the top of the hill for a view of the vineyard and ocean. The owner who helped put the tasting together was so helpful and friendly. I would highly recommend taking the drive to visit the winery. You won't be disappointed.
Written 28 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
johncA3803KR
Los Gatos, CA35 contributions
June 2019
very friendly team, very knowledgeable about the wines. we enjoyed our afternoon. bit of a windy road to get there but worth the drive
Written 3 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
princeofpinot
North Tustin135 contributions
July 2018 • Couples
Owners Jim and Judy Schultze launched this winery in 1996 and have been producers of consistently outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The wines have brought them many accolades from the wine press. I am a wine writer and have visited many times to walk the vineyard with Jim and taste his special wines. I consider Jim, the winemaker, to be one of the most accomplished vintners in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
More recently, Jim's son, Spencer, has become the assistant winemaker. The Schultze's other son, James, works in the winery tasting room and manages the winery's two other tasting rooms in Carmel Valley and Carmel.
Like many Santa Cruz Mountain wineries, Windy Oaks Estate is hidden among towering forests and one must traverse a narrow two lane road to reach the winery. However, the winery and vineyard are open only on weekends so traffic is not a concern. The winery is a 30 minute drive south of Santa Cruz.
When you arrive, you will find an unpretentious winery and comfortable tasting room. Walk the 30-acre vineyard to the top of the hill and take in a panoramic view of Monterey Bay in the distance. The presence of this large body of water creates the perfect microclimate at Windy Oaks for farming Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Start with the dry Provence-style Rose made with Grenache, move to one of the three Chardonnays, and finish up with a tasting of the many Pinot Noir offerings. The Pinot Noir style is refined, elegant and engaging. Sampler Tasting is $15 and Pinot Noir Tasting is $20. A small price to pay for wine of this high quality. Consider buying a bottle or two and have a picnic at the top of the vineyard.
Windy Oaks Wine Group members enjoy many benefits including discounts on wines (see website).
More recently, Jim's son, Spencer, has become the assistant winemaker. The Schultze's other son, James, works in the winery tasting room and manages the winery's two other tasting rooms in Carmel Valley and Carmel.
Like many Santa Cruz Mountain wineries, Windy Oaks Estate is hidden among towering forests and one must traverse a narrow two lane road to reach the winery. However, the winery and vineyard are open only on weekends so traffic is not a concern. The winery is a 30 minute drive south of Santa Cruz.
When you arrive, you will find an unpretentious winery and comfortable tasting room. Walk the 30-acre vineyard to the top of the hill and take in a panoramic view of Monterey Bay in the distance. The presence of this large body of water creates the perfect microclimate at Windy Oaks for farming Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Start with the dry Provence-style Rose made with Grenache, move to one of the three Chardonnays, and finish up with a tasting of the many Pinot Noir offerings. The Pinot Noir style is refined, elegant and engaging. Sampler Tasting is $15 and Pinot Noir Tasting is $20. A small price to pay for wine of this high quality. Consider buying a bottle or two and have a picnic at the top of the vineyard.
Windy Oaks Wine Group members enjoy many benefits including discounts on wines (see website).
Written 4 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helena
Kristianstad92 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
A really great tasting and fantastic surroundings. A nice laid back feeling. A gem in the hills :) Would definetly come back!
Written 15 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MONTYHADES
Visalia, CA724 contributions
July 2015
This place took a while to find but it sure was worth the trip, I only tasted the Pinot Noir tasting menu and that's what I needed! The wine it's young but tasty, I got me couple of bottles for later consumption, but over all the wine is great! Next time I will go in with more time. If you are in town you should visit this winery! Plus the owner was there and made it better!
Written 13 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SCWriter
Santa Cruz, CA19 contributions
Apr 2024 • Solo
A hidden gem with a great view and amazing wine. Love that's it's family-owned for 30+ years, got to wander a bit in the 18 acres of hillside land and was rewarded with a great view of Monterey Bay! Cute tasting room and patio, too.
Written 6 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LoveToTravel524
Santa Cruz, CA1,362 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
We live in Aptos so it was a lovely 30-minute drive out to the winery. Their Sampler Tasting was $15pp and the Pinot tasting was $20 pp so we decided to just buy a bottle of their Chardonnay ($28) to enjoy with our picnic lunch. It was very good. They have a number of tables on their patio with a friendly server.
Written 7 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reenie
Olympia, WA40 contributions
Apr 2016 • Couples
Fabulous private dinner! Atmosphere and ambience beyond compare. Dinner and wines were outstanding. Joined the wine club
Written 2 April 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
raymond p
West Orange, NJ245 contributions
Feb 2013 • Friends
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.
Written 24 May 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John O
San Jose, CA125 contributions
Jan 2013 • Solo
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.
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.
Written 7 May 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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