What to Buy
'05 S.C. Mountains Petite Sirah Lush black cherry, ollallieberry, spicy accents $23
'06 S.C. Mountains Pinot Noir Earthly red berries, mint, hints of vanilla $36
'06 Wildcat Ridge Pinot Noir Lapin cherries, strawberries, rose petals $40
'07 S.C. Mountains Chardonnay Mountain pear and apples, vanilla, mineral accent $32
Getting There
From Hwy 1, take the River St. Exit south in downtown Santa Cruz. Turn right at Potrero St. The winery is in the Old Sash Mill on the right. |
Storrs Winery takes advantage of the long growing season in the Santa Cruz Mountains, where the cooler climate allows more time for the grapes to mature. This type of coastal terroir typically produces crisp, complex Chardonnays, comparable to those of Burgundy and Chablis, and Storrs Winery continues the tradition, releasing mountain fresh Chardonnays made from the harvests of several geographically distinct vineyards. They also produce Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Petite Sirah, Grenache, and a signature Bordeaux Red, all of which reflect the unique mountain microclimates of the Santa Cruz viticulture area.
Steve and Pamela Storrs opened their winery in 1988 after many years of getting their feet wet in winemaking operations. At UC-Davis, Steve studied viticulture and Pamela studied enology. Their first wine, a White Riesling, won the gold medal in the San Francisco National Wine Competition. Since then, their wines have gone on to win even more awards and accolades.
As winemakers, the couple firmly believes in allowing the grapes to mature fully. The wines are allowed to age with little interference, after which they are blended with great consideration, resulting in wines that are greater than the sum of their parts.
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| As farmers, the Storrs are at the forefront of sustainability. In 2001, they purchased a 60-acre ranch in Pleasant Valley and in 2007 planted an estate vineyard that's registered as organic, thereby assuming a great ecological responsibility. The vineyard has been made hospitable to resident wildlife and there's a solar panel array that powers irrigation and their home.
As of 2007, 11 acres of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay clones have been planted at this new vineyard in the Corralitos subregion. The south-facing slopes and high elevation protect the cool climate vineyard from coastal fog, creating an ideal terroir for Storrs Winery's benchmark varietals. The winery and tasting room are in Santa Cruz, but on the drawing board is a new green winery that will welcome visitors right at the vineyard.
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