Big Basin Vineyard

Santa Cruz Mountains AVA

Owner:Big Basin Size: Varietals: Syrah (Rattlesnake Rock block, Old Corral block), Grenache (West block)

From the winery's website: Big Basin Vineyardswas founded in 1998 on an historic site in the Santa Cruz Mountains next to Big Basin Redwoods State Park. The old ranch property was first settled in the late 1800s. Wine grape cultivation had been started by French immigrants by the early 1900s and continued until 1965 when the property was sold by Justin Lacau, who had named the property "Frenchy's Ranch", to a timber company. By the 1990s, all that remained of the vineyards were redwood stakes and scattered vines hidden by brush and poison oak bushes. The new owner's mission has been to restore this historic vineyard site using modern, sustainable viticultural methods. Drainage and erosion problems have been corrected, while the soil has been nurtured the soil with organic composts and cover crops. Over 90% of the estate is being preserved in its natural state.

Grapes from this vineyard are used by Big Basin