Located south of San Francisco, the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA runs along the coastal mountains bordering the Pacific Ocean. It was one of California’s first appellations to be defined not by political boundaries, but by elevation and geology, setting a precedent for terroir-driven classification. Vineyard elevation ranges from around 400 to 3,000 feet, creating a variety of microclimates. Strong maritime influence from the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay brings cool, foggy mornings, warm afternoons, and distinctly cool nights. This promotes slow, even ripening, preserving acidity while building complexity and structure. This American Viticultural Area (AVA) has over 80 wineries, many of them small, independent growers. The most widely planted grapes are Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay, each showing a distinctly cool climate character. Wines are known for freshness, bright fruit, pronounced minerality, and balance, with many bottlings, especially Cabernet Sauvignon, showing excellent long-term aging potential. Santa Cruz Mountain is home to Monte Bello Vineyard, often referred to as “America’s First Growth,” a historic site that helped develop the region’s reputation for world-class, age-worthy wines.
Discover Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon and Martin Ray Cabernet Sauvignon today.
Author: Maytte Rivera
