Mindful Wine Journal: Producer Spotlight
Big Basin Vineyards | Santa Cruz Mountains, CA
CCOF Certified Organic Estate Vineyard
Santa Cruz Mountains is one of the oldest winegrowing regions in California, dating back to the 1880s. In the geographic center of the mountains next to the Big Basin Redwoods State Park, owner and winemaker Bradley Brown has devoted twenty years to converting a once abandoned, overgrown 10 acre parcel into a magnificent estate vineyard and winery producing world class wines. The winery building itself was constructed on the same site as the original 1890s winery, a ‘Monitor’-style barn with a timber frame built using redwood selectively harvested from the estate. Big Basin’s steep windswept hillsides, rocky soils, and proximity to the Pacific make this an ideal site for vibrant, age worthy wines that reflect the cool-climate California coastal mountain terroir. In addition to estate fruit, Big Basin sources from several cool-climate organic sites in Monterey to complete their offering.
Editor's Note: Home to some of the oldest wineries in California dating back to the 1800s, the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA is distinguished by soaring redwoods, thick fog, and unique coastal mountain topography. In the center of the mountains next to the Big Basin Redwoods State Park, owner and winemaker Bradley Brown has devoted the last twenty years to converting a once abandoned, overgrown 10 acre parcel into a magnificent estate vineyard and winery producing world class wines. Tragically parts of the estate, outbuildings and the Brown family home all burned in the 2020 SCU Lightning Complex Fire. The winery building itself, however—built with a timber frame using redwood from the estate—was miraculously spared. (10/2020)
What we love...
2019 BIG BASIN SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS ROSE
Made in the image of the famed Grenache-based rosés of Provence, this is pale pink in color with aromas of stone fruits, dried flowers kept fresh with mouthwatering acidity. Grenache, Carignane, Mourvedre.
Try it with: This versatile rose pairs with many dishes, from grilled ahi tuna to duck confit.
2018 BIG BASIN SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS SYRAH
A dash (2%) of Viognier was co-fermented in some lots of this Syrah, similar to the great Syrahs of the Northern Rhone. The result is a brooding, dark Syrah full of wild berry fruit aromas with hints of lavender that speak to its cool-climate coastal mountain terroir. Inviting in youth, but built to age.
Try it with: Delicious now with a hamburger or juicy New York steak, this has many pairing possibilities...
Discover more @ bigbasinvineyards.com