Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard has been making European-style, food-friendly, cellar-worthy wines since 1975. They were formerly located on the site of one of the oldest operating vineyards in California, originally established as the Jarvis Brothers Vineyard in 1863. Ken Burnap was well-known for making Pinot Noir that can age beautifully for three decades. In 2008 they launched a second brand, Quinta Cruz, which features only varieties that originated on the Iberian Peninsula but are now grown here in California. These Portuguese and Spanish varieties include Tempranillo, Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Verdelho, Souzao, Graciano, and Tinto Cão.
Jeff Emery is the current proprietor, winemaker, truck driver, mechanic, wine sales dude, and basically anything else he needs to be to make this small business work. He first came to Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard in July of 1979 and ended up working with Ken Burnap, the winery’s founder, in what can best be described as an old-fashioned apprenticeship. Jeff took over the business in 2002 when Ken retired.