Windy Oaks Estate
Windy Oaks Estate
5
Saturday
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
What people are saying
Family Winery with Engaging Owners and Stellar Wines
5.0 of 5 bubblesJul 2018
Owners Jim and Judy Schultze launched this winery in 1996 and have been producers of consistently outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The wines have brought them many accolades from the wine press. I am a wine writer and have visited many times to walk the vineyard with Jim and taste his special wines. I consider Jim, the winemaker, to be one of the most accomplished vintners in the Santa Cruz Mountains. More recently, Jim's son, Spencer, has become the assistant winemaker. The Schultze's other son, James, works in the winery tasting room and manages the winery's two other tasting rooms in Carmel Valley and Carmel. Like many Santa Cruz Mountain wineries, Windy Oaks Estate is hidden among towering forests and one must traverse a narrow two lane road to reach the winery. However, the winery and vineyard are open only on weekends so traffic is not a concern. The winery is a 30 minute drive south of Santa Cruz. When you arrive, you will find an unpretentious winery and comfortable tasting room. Walk the 30-acre vineyard to the top of the hill and take in a panoramic view of Monterey Bay in the distance. The presence of this large body of water creates the perfect microclimate at Windy Oaks for farming Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Start with the dry Provence-style Rose made with Grenache, move to one of the three Chardonnays, and finish up with a tasting of the many Pinot Noir offerings. The Pinot Noir style is refined, elegant and engaging. Sampler Tasting is $15 and Pinot Noir Tasting is $20. A small price to pay for wine of this high quality. Consider buying a bottle or two and have a picnic at the top of the vineyard. Windy Oaks Wine Group members enjoy many benefits including discounts on wines (see website).

Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.


5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles10 reviews
Excellent
8
Very good
2
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0

johncA3803KR
Los Gatos, CA37 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2019
very friendly team, very knowledgeable about the wines. we enjoyed our afternoon. bit of a windy road to get there but worth the drive
Written 3 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

princeofpinot
North Tustin154 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2018 • Couples
Owners Jim and Judy Schultze launched this winery in 1996 and have been producers of consistently outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The wines have brought them many accolades from the wine press. I am a wine writer and have visited many times to walk the vineyard with Jim and taste his special wines. I consider Jim, the winemaker, to be one of the most accomplished vintners in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

More recently, Jim's son, Spencer, has become the assistant winemaker. The Schultze's other son, James, works in the winery tasting room and manages the winery's two other tasting rooms in Carmel Valley and Carmel.

Like many Santa Cruz Mountain wineries, Windy Oaks Estate is hidden among towering forests and one must traverse a narrow two lane road to reach the winery. However, the winery and vineyard are open only on weekends so traffic is not a concern. The winery is a 30 minute drive south of Santa Cruz.

When you arrive, you will find an unpretentious winery and comfortable tasting room. Walk the 30-acre vineyard to the top of the hill and take in a panoramic view of Monterey Bay in the distance. The presence of this large body of water creates the perfect microclimate at Windy Oaks for farming Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Start with the dry Provence-style Rose made with Grenache, move to one of the three Chardonnays, and finish up with a tasting of the many Pinot Noir offerings. The Pinot Noir style is refined, elegant and engaging. Sampler Tasting is $15 and Pinot Noir Tasting is $20. A small price to pay for wine of this high quality. Consider buying a bottle or two and have a picnic at the top of the vineyard.

Windy Oaks Wine Group members enjoy many benefits including discounts on wines (see website).
Written 4 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Helena
Kristianstad91 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2017 • Couples
A really great tasting and fantastic surroundings. A nice laid back feeling. A gem in the hills :) Would definetly come back!
Written 15 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

LoveToTravel524
Santa Cruz, CA1 334 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2017 • Couples
We live in Aptos so it was a lovely 30-minute drive out to the winery. Their Sampler Tasting was $15pp and the Pinot tasting was $20 pp so we decided to just buy a bottle of their Chardonnay ($28) to enjoy with our picnic lunch. It was very good. They have a number of tables on their patio with a friendly server.
Written 7 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Reenie
Olympia, WA41 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2016 • Couples
Fabulous private dinner! Atmosphere and ambience beyond compare. Dinner and wines were outstanding. Joined the wine club
Written 2 April 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MONTYHADES
Visalia, CA755 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2015
This place took a while to find but it sure was worth the trip, I only tasted the Pinot Noir tasting menu and that's what I needed! The wine it's young but tasty, I got me couple of bottles for later consumption, but over all the wine is great! Next time I will go in with more time. If you are in town you should visit this winery! Plus the owner was there and made it better!
Written 13 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

raymond p
West Orange, NJ262 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2013 • Friends
If you would like to see a down to earth winery with great pinot - this is it. Not commercialized like many others in Ca. A real family operation. Jim & Judy make everyone feel welcome. If your local also visit the Corralitas meat and grocery store. Great sausage and marinated strip steaks.
Written 24 May 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

John O
San Jose, CA141 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2013 • Solo
On a friend's recommendation, I went to Windy Oaks January 2013, as part of SCMWA's Passport Day. I took the way in from San Jose via Gilroy & Watsonville. Getting there via Santa Cruz would have been easier.When I arrived, I was told they left the Passport program, but they would honor my passort anyway.

Family operation at the top fo the mountain. The rutted dirt driveway to the tasting room from the county road might be difficult in wet weather without 4WD. Open Saturdays only, noon to 5:00.

The trip was well worth it. Tasting room abuts the estate vineyard, and there's a short trail to the top from where you can have a picnic and see the Monterey Bay on a good afternoon. Family and one family friend working the teasting room. Not a bad wine was poured--all excellent examples of the best of Santa Cruz Mountain pinot noir. I left with a varied selection.

May be a challenge to your GPS, but well worth the trip.
Written 7 May 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ImaCATraveler
Morgan Hill, CA17 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Excellent setting and especially nice with their new tasting room. The wine is fantastic so we are club members. Very much a family operation that we appreciate.
Written 29 December 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Shaymur
Fremont, CA1 058 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
The Windy Oaks winery is located several miles up a winding country road. Make the effort to call and visit. They feature Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Behind the tasting room there is a walk through the vineyard to the top of a hill with a wonderful view of the Salinas valley and Monterrey Bay Area. The wines are very good. The winery is open to the public on Wine Passport Days and Corralitos Wine Trail Days.
Written 15 September 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing

WINDY OAKS ESTATE: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Windy Oaks Estate

Windy Oaks Estate is open:
  • Sat - Sat 12:00 - 17:00


Restaurants near Windy Oaks Estate: View all restaurants near Windy Oaks Estate on Tripadvisor