First-time visitors to Santa Cruz County usually have beaches in mind. But once they discover wines of the Santa Cruz Mountains appellation, one of the oldest in the state and known primarily for pinot noir and chardonnay, they’ll be herding their four-legged buddies into some of the dozens upon dozens of winery tasting rooms sprinkled throughout the county. DogTrekker.com has rounded up some options heading north to south on Highway 1.
It starts with the Bonny Doon Vineyard Tasting Room in Davenport and continues to Sones Cellars in Santa Cruz, Nicholson Vineyards in Aptos, Alfaro Family Vineyards & Winery in Corralitos, Wargin Wines in Watsonville and Annieglass, a combination gift gallery and wine bar, also in Watsonville.
But that’s just the tip of the winery iceberg, so to speak, as Santa Cruz County is home to more than 100 wineries in all. In the town of Santa Cruz, Surf City Vintners, near the famous Beach Boardwalk amusement park, is a micro-winery collective with a dozen dog-friendly tasting rooms in a trendy retail complex that also includes several patio restaurants that welcome customers’ four-legged sidekicks.
The foothills outside Soquel are another good place to center a visit. With a visit to Poetic Cellars, on 33 redwood-studded acres, comes a romantic theme supplemented by ocean views.
Photo Credit: @bonnydoonvineyard
