The Santa Cruz Mountains have been growing exceptional wine since the 1860s, and somehow the wine world still barely talks about it. This episode heads south of San Francisco to sit down with Cole Thomas, owner and winemaker of Madson Wines, who traded a marine biology track at UC Santa Cruz for grape stems after meeting Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard's Jeff Emery at a campus seed exchange. The conversation digs into why fog-slowed wind — not fog itself — keeps the west side cool enough for savory, high-acid Pinot Noir, how the same appellation ripens Cabernet on its sun-baked east side, and where to eat, surf, and taste on a weekend in town.
This Week's Wine: 2024 Madson Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir
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Wines & Producers
Ridge Vineyards — the region's most recognized name, known for its Monte Bello bottling
Mount Eden Vineyards — historic estate on the former Martin Ray property
Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard — Jeff Emery's winery, where Madson's earliest vintages were made
David Bruce Winery — replanted one of the original 1860s Jarvis Brothers vineyard sites
Restaurants & Bars
Duarte's Tavern, Pescadero — 1800s Highway 1 roadhouse; order the cioppino and a Bloody Mary
Manresa Bread, Santa Cruz — bakery near Madson's downtown tasting room
Home, Soquel — recommended by Cole
Hook & Line, Santa Cruz — downtown sustainable-seafood spot
Mentone, Aptos
Bantam, Santa Cruz — wood-fired pizza
Bad Animal, Santa Cruz — bookstore, wine bar, and restaurant in one
Tanuki Cider, Humble Sea Brewing, Santa Cruz Mountain Brewery, Verve Coffee, Cat & Cloud Coffee — the westside "Wine Ghetto" cluster right around Madson's tasting room
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