Big Basin Vineyards

Big Basin set out to create wines that reveal the complex nuances of the vineyards that inspire them – cool climate, ocean influenced, mountain vineyards. Big Basin Vineyards is located on the steep hillsides of the Santa Cruz mountains, established in 2002, with the mission to restore an ancient vineyard on the same site planted 100 years before.

Working organically since day one, with the help of cover crops and organic compost, they have rescued the previously poor and eroded soil, planting vines 1,300 feet above sea level on mostly mudstone/sandstone soils. As well as producing wine from these ocean influenced, windswept sites, they also work with a large site in the Gabilan mountains, 2200 feet above sea level, planted on decomposed granite soils. Although not certified organic, this is also farmed organically and sustainably to meet the Big Basin philosophy. In the cellar, work is conducted gently and with minimal handling, with the only addition, at most being a drop or two of sulphur.