When I travel, I try to look for local wineries, wine bars or wine shops. I think it’s a fun way to get to know a new city or area.
When we were dog-sitting Callie in the Bay Area, I looked at Google Maps out of curiosity and stumbled on the urban wineries in San Carlos – only a few miles away.
With several tasting rooms a few steps from each other, they form an urban wine trail. It makes for a fun afternoon of wine tasting if you’re in the area.
On the outside, some of the tasting rooms look very industrial and minimal, but on the inside, they are so charming and welcoming.
I love this mural at Russian Ridge almost as much as I’ve enjoyed their wine. I feel it perfectly captures the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Russian Ridge Winery is small and family-owned, producing less than 1000 cases annually. Their grapes are sourced from single vineyards from across California’s wine regions including Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and Paso Robles.
We tasted 5 wines including a Chardonnay Blend, Barbera from Amador County, Syrah from Santa Cruz Mountains, Malbec from Santa Clara Valley and Concerto which is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot all from the Santa Cruz Mountains.
If you’ve been following along you know I’ve grown to enjoy Chardonnay both in the oaked and unoaked style. Their Chardonnay was lovely but didn’t wow me. However, their red wines did. I really enjoyed the Barbera, this was my second one from Amador County.
If you watched my IG Live with Scott Harvey Wine, Scott went into detail about why Amador County is one of the best places to grow Barbera.
Russian Ridge Winery
919 Washington St
San Carlos, CA 94070
Phone: (650) 851-9690
Website: www.russianridgewinery.com
Instagram: @russianridge
