WINERIES, TAPS AND TASTINGS

The Santa Cruz area is home to not only an artisan distillery but small production vineyards and hip, coastal breweries. Passionate, friendly wine makers coexist effortlessly with brewers in both rustic and urban tap rooms.

For wine lovers, the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA is one of the oldest in the country with limitless opportunities for tasting. Opt for a rural tasting experience on the Corralitos Wine Trail, where a half-dozen boutique wineries host intimate wine tastings with knowledgeable staff. In Soquel, sip wine overlooking a vineyard and learn about sustainable growing practices in one of Santa Cruz County’s most bucolic settings. Or stop by an urban tasting room in town, for a classic California experience.

On Santa Cruz’s westside, Venus Spirits produces gin, whiskey, aquavit, reposada, and other distilled spirits – many of them infused with botanicals. Try the bar and then head next door to the Venus Kitchen where craft cocktails and farm-fresh menu items are creatively paired. A spirited courtyard nearby is home to Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing, with a popular beer garden that is pup-and family-friendly.

See below for a full list of wineries, taps and tasting rooms in Santa Cruz County!