SPARKLING WINES
Sparkling Wines
The méthode champenoise employed in making our Sparkling Wines is the same used in making traditional Champagne in France, with a 2nd fermentation taking place in the bottle. This produces tiny, well-diffused bubbles, providing a silky mouthfeel.
Blanc de Blancs
Méthode Champenoise
Napa Valley
750 ml
12.5% abv
Our Sparkling White Wine is made from 100% Chardonnay, a white grape, hence the name Blanc de Blancs, meaning a "white" wine from "white" grapes. Though it is a white wine, the bubbles add a nice refreshing & fun sensation.
The palate has the crisp acidity of a gala apple, & a marzipan creaminess indicating time spent on the lees during the traditional 2nd fermentation.
Soft & nutty cheeses are an easy, delicious pairing, as is caviar & blini. Honestly, though, we just can't resist pairing our Sparkling Wines with fried foods! Croquettes bring out the spiciness in this wine, while fried calamari play on the creamy notes of the Chardonnay.
SPARKLING ROSÉ
Méthode Champenoise California Rosé
750 ml
12.5% abv
The méthode champenoise employed in making this wine is the same used in making traditional Champagne in France, with a 2nd fermentation taking place in the bottle. This produces tiny, well-diffused bubbles which offers a silky mouthfeel. Our ‘Rose” Sparkling is made from the perfect blend of Pinot Noir (the red grape), & Chardonnay (the white grape), creating its vibrant peach hue.
Pop its cork & notice the vigorous effervescence of small bubbles. Take in its fresh aromas of ripe strawberries with a hint of spice. Upon tasting, the palate has crisp acidity & a rounded mouth with a silkiness from the fine mousse. The bright, fresh fruit follows to a clean finish with a creamy texture, indicating time spent on the lees during the 2nd bottle fermentation.
Begin your evening with this Sparkling Rosé and pair it with your favorite appetizers & fried foods! Soft, nutty cheeses are an easy, delicious pairing, as is caviar & blini.
WHITE WINES
Chardonnay
The grapes used to create our famous Chardonnay come from a small vineyard in the Santa Cruz Mountains where the soil, slope, & sea breeze contribute to a complex flavor profile.
Our Chardonnay is usually made in small batches such that just as one sells out, the next is released! This also means that, typically, only one is available for sale at a time. However, we almost always have one on our Tasting Menu, so stop by & give it a try!
2018 CHARDONNAY
Santa Cruz Mountains
750 ml
13.9% Alcohol by Vol
We use a different strain of malolactic bacteria for this wine than for the Reserve version, creating all of the texture & richness without the buttery characteristics. It was aged on the lees for 9 months in once-used French oak barrels, followed by minimal fining & filtration.
Aromas of cream & citrus, along with the silky texture of this wine, bring to mind a lemon tart. Without the oak & butter notes of our Reserve Chardonnay, the focus is on yellow apple flesh, ripe nectarine skin, & a lightly spicy finish.
Our favorite pairing for this is chicken (or veg) pot pie; the wine is rich enough to handle the crust & light creamy filling without overpowering the ingredients. If you don’t feel like cooking, classic rotisserie chicken compliments the bright fruit notes beautifully. We recommend serving cool but not cold for the best expression of flavor. If you don't have a wine cooler, take it out of the fridge about 20 mins. before serving.
2018 RESERVE CHARDONNAY
Santa Cruz Mountains
750 ml
13.8% Alcohol by Vol
2019 CHARDONNAY
Santa Cruz Mountains
750ml
13.7% Alcohol by Vol
2019 RESERVE CHARDONNAY
Santa Cruz Mountains
750ml
13.8% Alcohol by Vol
This is the second vintage of our Mount Eden clone Chardonnay after the vineyard was replanted. It was fermented in mostly new French oak, then aged on the lees for 9 months in the same barrels.
Our Chardonnay grapes come from a small vineyard in the Santa Cruz Mountains where the soil, slope, and sea breeze contribute to a complex flavor profile. This wine was aged sur lie with battonage in mostly used French oak.
The Mount Eden clone of Chardonnay which we process in a traditional malolactic fermentation & sur lie aging produces a beautiful golden colored wine beaming with ripe fruit flavors and a wonderful silky texture.
This clone of Chardonnay always results in a deeply colored, golden wine. This year, it has a particularly tropical profile with notes of pineapple, mango, & starfruit. A buttered-biscuit note hints at the traditional malolactic fermentation & sur lie aging.
We fine and only minimally filter our Chardonnay to preserve the flavors from each of these processes, and recommend serving slightly below room temperature as storing in a refrigerator may be too cold for this expressive wine.
This particular vintage, exhibits bright aromas of apricot and lemon zest and on the palate, warm apple pie with a buttery crust comes to mind.
Butternut squash ravioli tossed in sage & toasted pecans makes a picture-perfect match for this toasty, yet silky wine. If you’re looking to pair a local sweet treat, the Mt. Tam triple crème from Cowgirl Creamery is a great choice. This is an intense wine, so we recommend that it be served a little warmer by only refrigerating 20 mins. before serving.
Our 2019 vintage of Chardonnay, perfectly balances the oak and fruit notes characteristic in Chardonnay. Ripe gala apples, lemon tart and a hint of baking spice illuminate this wonderfully expressive wine.
Pasta dishes with a cream based sauce are a perfect pairing for this wine as are roasted poultry and vegetables. For a little comfort food flare, try it with a warm chicken pot pie.
Pinot Gris
The grapes used for this release come from the same block in the Santa Cruz Mountains as those used for our esteemed Chardonnay; the combination of the sea, slope, & soil produce perfect growing conditions for this variety. This fruity-earthy wine will satisfy the light, refreshing taste you crave in Summer!
2021 SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS PINOT GRIS
750 ml
12.5% Alcohol by Vol
For this, our second vintage of Pinot Gris, we have the grapes undergo a cool fermentation, and age this wine on neutral oak to intensify flavors and then aged sur lie to round the palate.
This dry, light-bodied wine has aromas of white peach and crushed gravel, and a tasting profile composed of a melody of fresh peach and apricot notes with a hint of minerality at it’s back end, creating a uniquely refreshing wine. It pairs well with your favorite salty cheese or seafood dish, or simply try it on its own on a warm summer day.
Sauvignon Blanc
The grapes we use for our Sauvignon Blanc hail from the famed Kick Ranch Vineyard in Sonoma. The vineyard, which sits on a stretch of rolling hills made of soils derived from ancient bedrock and volcanic loam, produces wonderfully refreshing and layered wines.
2021 Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc
Kick Ranch Vineyard
750 ml
12.2% Alcohol by Vol
Kick Ranch is a 40-acre premier vineyard resting on the western slope of Spring Mountain in the Mayacamas Mountains. This sustainably farmed property is part of the Fountaingrove District along the eastern reaches of Santa Rosa. The vineyard sits on a stretch of rolling hills made of rich soils derived from ancient bedrock and volcanic loam.
This delicious wine boasts incredible layered aromas of guava, gooseberry, & crushed granite. On the palate, it has a sweet tropical nature to it with notes of mango, starfruit and pineapple which contrast wonderfully with it’s herbal tartness.
RoSÉ
Rosé wine typically comes from a mixture of both red and white grapes to create a unique pink colored wine that is neither a red or a white, albeit some Rosé wines such as our still variation, are made entirely from red wine grapes with a limited amount of skin blended in to achieve that signature pink color!
North Coast, Sparkling ROSÉ, NV
750 ml
11.8% Alcohol by Vol
The méthode champenoise employed in making this wine is the same used in making traditional Champagne in France, with a 2nd fermentation taking place in the bottle. This produces tiny, well-diffused bubbles which offers a silky mouthfeel. Our ‘Rose” Sparkling is made from the perfect blend of Pinot Noir (the red grape), & Chardonnay (the white grape), creating its vibrant peach hue.
Pop its cork & notice the vigorous effervescence of small bubbles. Breath in its fresh aromas of ripe strawberry & a hint of spice. When it’s time to taste, we note that the palate has crisp acidity & a rounded mouth with a silkiness from the fine mousse. The bright, fresh fruit follows to a clean finish with a creamy texture, indicating time spent on the lees during the 2nd bottle fermentation.
Begin your evening with this Sparkling Rosé paired with your favorite appetizers & fried foods! Soft, nutty cheeses are an easy, delicious pairing, as is caviar & blini. This North Coast Rosé Sparkling Wine is an exquisite start to a balmy summer evening.
2021 California ROSÉ
750 ml
13% Alcohol by Vol
Our first ever still Rosé is built on the natural harmony of the structure of our Cabernet Franc and the roundness and aromatics of our Malbec. This idyllic blend maintains just enough sweetness to balance it’s crisp tartness.
RED WINES
Cabernet Franc
When we first decided to plant vines, we had our soil & climate analyzed to find the perfect grape variety for our vineyard. As it turned out, the unique combination of rocky soils & bay-influenced weather is ideal for the closely related Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc varieties, both of which are well known for their contribution to the classic blends of Bordeaux. And while we could plant other varieties, why bother? It would only take away vineyard space from the Cabernet and the results just wouldn't be as good.
Our Cabernet Franc is planted in the northernmost corner of our vineyard in the highest elevation & poorest soils. From that adversity comes a small yield of exceptional grapes, proving time & time again that character develops from challenges.
2018 LIVERMORE VALLEY CABERNET FRANC
750 ml
14.4% Alcohol by Vol
While we have long-made single-variety Cabernet Franc from our estate grapes, we don’t have very many & can’t produce more than a few barrels a year. For the past few years, we’ve been looking for additional sources of Cabernet Franc grapes. This is our 2nd vintage from this Livermore vineyard. It spent just over 2 years in oak & produced 75 cases.
This wine is a textbook Cabernet Franc with rich aromas of dried strawberry, cocoa, fresh blueberry, & a little savory roasted bell pepper mixed in. It has a silky feel now, and, if it is anything like our estate Cabernet Francs (we think it is!), it will continue to evolve for many years with a slowly lengthening of a soft, smoky finish.
Enjoy this wine with grilled salmon, olives, or smoked ham. Rosemary-centric roast pork emphasizes the earthiness in the wine & contrasts the strawberry nose, or it makes a simple & fun pairing with a nutty Asiago or Manchego. It’s also strangely delicious with scrambled eggs for those days when you don’t want to cook more than that.
2017 ESTATE CABERNET FRANC
Club Only
750 ml
12.9% Alcohol by Vol
Our vines that produce our Estate Cabernet Franc were planted in the northernmost block of this hilltop vineyard at the highest elevation & in poor soils. Yet, from this adversity comes a small crop of exceptional grapes, full of character.
Although sometimes used as a blending grape to soften other varietals, we believe our Cabernet Franc stands alone, exhibiting its signature silky texture. Notes of molasses and baked strawberries protrude this deliciously-complex wine which has a wonderfully long finish.
Anything grilled with a good char matches the smoky notes of this wine & contrasts with the bright fruitiness well. Tri-tip or Portobello fajitas are one of our favorite pairings, with roasted green bell peppers & onions to bring out the perfect sweet/savory balance in this wine.
Cabernet Sauvignon
When we first decided to plant vines, we had our soil & climate analyzed to find the perfect grape variety for our vineyard. As it turned out, the unique combination of rocky soils & bay-influenced weather is ideal for the closely related Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc varieties, both of which are well known for their contribution to the classic blends of Bordeaux. And while we could plant other varieties, why bother? It would only take away vineyard space from the Cabernet and the results just wouldn't be as good.
We actually have two separate vineyards in the Milpitas Hills: one that is visible from the winery which is planted with Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc; the other, known as the “Cinq Chevaux Block,” is about a half-mile further up the hill & is planted with only Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes from these two blocks have been blended, kept separate, aged the same, or treated differently depending on the year & the grand plans of our winemaker.
2017 ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON
750 ml
13.2% Alcohol by Vol
Our 2017 Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon was aged in new French oak barrels for just over 2 years, then bottle-aged for several months before release. Only 3 barrels were produced, so if you like this vintage, make sure to stock up while it lasts!
This wine is bursting with black cherry & baked raspberry. It has a faint spicy, clove aroma complemented by a chocolate-y texture. Ripe, bold tannins create a decadent mouthfeel & long finish. Though we expect it to peak around 2023, that doesn't mean we don't love it now! Especially with the right pairing.
This is a hearty wine that deserves a worthy pairing. Try it with braised short ribs or beef tenderloin (especially with a fruit-based reduction) for a full, rich meal that's sure to impress. Or, if you're on the hunt for simpler fare: meatballs, sharp cheddar, or aged Gouda make excellent matches.
2018 ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON
750 ml
13.4% Alcohol by Vol
Our 2018 Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon was aged in mostly new French oak barrels for just over 2 years, before bottling. Our rocky-hilltop vineyard landscape creates the perfect environment for this grape to thrive.
Our 2018 vintage has a slight spice aroma at first and continues with bright fruit notes of raspberry and plum. It’s reminiscent of a baked fruit tart on the plate with ripe, bold tannins which create a decadent mouthfeel & long finish. Though we expect it to peak around 2024, that doesn't mean we don't love it now, especially with the right pairing!
This is a bold wine so it should similarly be paired with a bold meal. Try with roasted beef tenderloin (especially with a fruit-based reduction) for a full, rich meal that's sure to impress or, if you're on the hunt for simpler fare: meatballs, sharp cheddar, or aged Gouda make an excellent match.
2018 Cinq Chevaux Cabernet Sauvignon
750 ml
14.5% Alcohol by Vol
We actually have two seperate vineyards in the Milpitas Hills; one that is visible from our winery which is planted with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, and the other know as the "Cinq Chevaux Block" which is about a half-mile further up the hill and is planted exclusively with Cabernet Sauvignon.
This wine was aged for over two years in new and once-used French oak barrels giving it a palate similar to the bold Cabernets found in Napa. Big and rich dark fruit flavors innundate the palate; black currant, blackberry and plum are front and center and at its finish, a smooth cacao-like velvety softness.
The Cinq Chevaux Vineyard has always produced top quality Cabernet Sauvignon grapes thanks to the almost daily attention throughout the growing season by the owners Doug and Debbie Weiland. We are proud to produce this handsome wine from such a special site and are excited to present this vintage after not producing one in 2017.
As with most Cabernets, this wine pairs incredibly well with beef. You can't beat it alongside a hearthy steak dinner, but for dessert, try it next to a rich dark chocolate based cake.
Malbec
While this grape is mostly known as an Argentinian specialty, it is definitely starting to gain momentum in California. We only get Malbec grapes in years when our friends in Livermore think they have enough for both of us to make wine. It tends to come & go quickly, so, if we’re serving it in the Tasting Room, be sure to give it a try!
2018 LIVERMORE VALLEY MALBEC
750 ml
12.9% Alcohol by Vol
These grapes are from the same vineyard as our ever-popular Livermore Cabernet Franc. After a cool fermentation, it went into mostly-used French oak. We love the intense raspberry fruit character of this wine so much we want to just barely complement it with a little spicy oak, & not overwhelm it.
We think the bright fuchsia highlights in this wine are very characteristic of California Malbec, & we love the look of it. A slightly smoky, raspberry candy nose is followed by a palate full of blackberry, clove, & almost bubblegum. Its long, ripe, tannic finish suggests a wine older than it is. We are excited to taste how this wine continues to evolve & mature, just as our 2016 Malbec.
For a local cheese pairing, try Point Reyes Original Blue from Cowgirl Creamery or Humboldt Fog from Cypress Grove. Taking inspiration from its Argentinian connection, we tried this Malbec with empanadas, and - we have it say - it’s now one of our favorites! Slow-cooked tri-tip, cubed yellow potatoes, diced onions, & green olives in your favorite marinade make a delightful filling.
Merlot
A unique combination of factors exists in this hillside vineyard in the Santa Cruz Mountains that allows for the production of award-winning Merlot wines year after year. The perfect blend of sun exposure & ocean influence creates a long growing season where the fruit ripens slowly with an excellent balance of acid & sugar. The resulting wines are consistently rich in flavor with good acidity & deep color.
2017 SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS MERLOT
750 ml
14.5% Alcohol by Vol
This is the first vintage of Merlot we’ve released in a couple years, after not getting grapes in 2015 as a result of spring storms. It was aged in American oak for two years, giving it a rich vanilla aroma, then it was then laid down for six months in the bottle before release.
Everyone has that friend that "won't drink Merlot." Well, cover up the label & pour them a glass of this. Rich with ripe cherry, raspberry, blueberry, & a chocolate-y finish, this wine is much more than a stereotype. A subtle fruit & a friendly texture make it approachable for now, but for a more smoky, layered offering with notes of tobacco & earth, try it in a few more years. This is not your mama's Merlot.
Lamb brings out the depth & earthiness of this wine, while the fruit forward palate & silky mouthfeel make a rich pairing with cream-based sauces. Classic cheese pairings include Camembert, Gruyere, & Pecorino Toscano.
2018 SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS MERLOT
750 ml
14.5% Alcohol by Vol
These Merlot grapes were grown on a small hillside vineyard in the Santa Cruz Mountains, where the perfect combination of sun exposure & ocean influence creates a long growing season. We aged it in American oak for two years before we bottled it, giving it it’s signature oaky vanilla and caramel characteristics.
Our Merlot is rich with ripe fruit flavors; cherry, raspberry and even hints of blueberry inundate the plate leading to it’s long finish with notes of spiced orange and tobacco.
Pair it with smoked meats and roasted vegetables to bring out it’s subtle earthiness or alongside tomato-based sauce dishes to accentuate it’s silky nature.
Montage
"Montage" is a Big Dog Vineyards’ proprietary name we use for our red blends. Our vineyard was originally planted with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc with the intention of possibly blending the two, but we ended up liking both so much separately that we never tried a blend, until 2011 that is. When all was said and done after the 2011 harvest, there was only enough Cabernet Franc to fill 40% of a barrel, and thus was born the first Montage, a 60/40 Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc blend.
Since then, we have experimented with a few different blends, staying in the Bordeaux grape family. Each year is a little different, according to what nature gives us, and what we think tastes best.
2018 San Francisco Bay Montage
750 ml
14.2% Alcohol by Vol
Our Montage blend is different every year, as we try to capture the best of each grape and each vineyard, while showing off the character of that particular year. This, our fifth vintage of our Montage blend is composed of 67% Merlot, 17% Malbec and 16% Cabernet Franc giving it a slight leathery, bright fruit aroma. It’s palate is smooth, bursting with hints of red cherry, mulberry and warm baking spices.
It’s excellent on it’s own but pairs superbly with pizza and pastas with a red sauce base. For a little sweet kick, try it with a warm cherry pie for dessert!
We hope you enjoy the best 2018 had to offer!
Pinot Noir
It is said that top-quality Pinot Noir only grows in special pockets of the earth where particular combinations of soil & climate coax magic from this delicate grape. The Santa Cruz Mountains contain such a place & this mountain vineyard garners top awards each year.
Our very first vintage of Pinot Noir was 2013, for which we used a blend of two different clones: Dijon & Pommard. Since then, we have experimented with different blends of the Dijon, Martini, & Pommard clones.
2018 SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS PINOT NOIR
750 ml
12.6% Alcohol by Vol
With less than 100 cases produced of each, these wines are as rare as they are wonderful. After a cool fermentation, this wine spent 16 months in a combination of new & used French oak to enhance notes of vanilla & spice, but also to allow the crisp fruit to shine through.
The Dijon clone of the grape, which is used for this wine, has a floral hibiscus aroma with an herbaceous, strawberry rhubarb character. A soft palate is driven by a bright cranberry acidity that leaves the mouth watering for another taste.
You've probably already guessed from our description that we love this wine with Thanksgiving food! It is a sublime pairing for turkey, pumpkin, cranberry sauce, you name it! But you don't have to wait until November to enjoy it, try it with your favorite roast poultry recipe, or next time you're grilling portabellas.
2018 SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS PINOT NOIR RESERVE
750 ml
13.4% Alcohol by Vol
After a cool, partial whole-bunch fermentation, this wine was aged in tight-grained French oak for just under a year. This is the first time we have gotten grapes from this particular section of the vineyard, and, we have to say, we're thrilled with the result!
Our Reserve version of our Pinot Noir comes from the Pommard clone of the grape which has a slightly fuller, strawberry jam texture, with a spicy clove & vanilla character giving an overall effect similar to a holiday pastry.
We always love this wine with Thanksgiving food! It is a sublime pairing for turkey, pumpkin, cranberry sauce, you name it! But you don't have to wait until November to enjoy it; try it with your favorite roast poultry recipe, or next time you're grilling portabellas.
Zinfandel
Our Zinfandel grapes are sourced from a small, family-owned vineyard located in the acclaimed Templeton Gap sub-appellation of Paso Robles. The head-trained, forty-five-year-old vines are now cultivated by third-generation growers & are strictly dry-farmed, meaning that they are not irrigated & rely mostly on rainfall to water the vineyard. This yields a smaller, more intense crop.
2019 PASO ROBLES ZINFANDEL
750 ml
14.6% Alcohol by Vol
We are excited to present a new vintage from this exceptional vineyard. After a partial carbonic maceration, this wine underwent high-temperature fermentation using natural yeasts for maximum extraction & expression of terroir. Almost 2 years of barrel maturation was split between neutral & new Appalachian oak.
This wine has a beautifully deep ruby color, matched by bold aromas of tart cherry & chai tea. The style of fermentation gives this wine a characteristic intensity of red fruit & baking spices. Its aftertaste & texture is reminiscent of dark chocolate, beckoning for another taste.
For a simple and elegant combination, try this wine with aged Gruyere. Though some red wines can make tomato based sauces bitter, this is our go-to for sipping with marinara or pizza, while burgers, barbecue, and char-grilled veggies play on the spicy, warm notes. If you’re looking for something sweet, try it with dark chocolate peanut butter cups. Weird AND delicious!
DESSERT WINES
Vin Doux Naturels
"Vin Doux Naturel" means “naturally sweet wine” & refers to a fortified wine whose sweetness comes from the sugar in the grapes. Similar to the way Port is produced, we make our dessert wine by stopping the fermentation halfway through by adding grape spirits. This preserves some of the unfermented sugar from the grapes & combines it with heightened alcohol from the brandy. We then barrel-aged it for a few years, allowing for complete integration of the brandy & introducing new flavors like coffee & hazelnut.
2015 ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON, VIN DOUX NATUREL
CLUB ONLY
375 ml
20.0% Alcohol by Vol
Similar to the way Portuguese dessert wines are produced, we made this dessert wine by stopping the fermentation halfway through and then barrel aging for five years, allowing for complete integration of the flavors & introducing new characteristics like coffee & hazelnut.
2012 ESTATE CABERNET FRANC, TAWNY
CLUB ONLY
375 ml
20.0% Alcohol by Vol
In 2012 for the 10th vintage of Big Dog Vineyards, our Founder, Mark Capalogan, created a single barrel of Vin Doux Naturel from our rare, estate-grown Cabernet Franc grapes. Rather than bottling it he decided to hold this special wine in that barrel for 10 years to achieve our first & only tawny-style dessert wine. Enjoy the richness that a decade of aging brings. This wine is as rare as it is delicious & we're ecstatic to finally release it!
2005 MUSCAT CANELLI, VIN DOUX NATUREL
CLUB ONLY
375 ml
20.0% Alcohol by Vol
"Vin Doux Naturel" means "naturally sweet wine" reffering to a dessert wine whose sweetness comes from the sugar in the grapes.
Similar to the way Portuguese dessert wines are produced we made this dessert wine by stopping the fermentation partway through. Then, we left it to mellow for a decade in French oak for complete integration of its components and to develop depth & complexity, With just 27 cases made, this unctuos dessert wine boasts flavors reminiscent of spiced peach, poached pear, dried fig, amaretti cookies & orange peel to name a few.