Wine Tasting In Saratoga, New Location

Wine Tasting In Saratoga, New Location

By June Smith, Neighbor https://patch.com

Al Drewke, owner/proprietor of Roudon-Smith Winery has signed a lease on a new tasting room located at 14572 Big Basin Way, Saratoga, with plans to open on June 13. Hours are Thursday through Sunday from 2 to 7 p.m. with tasting by appointment available on other days.

The room, with occupancy space for a maximum of 38 people, will also be available to corporate business events such as team-building or product roll-out celebrations. Drewke says they will do special events on a periodic basis. In the near future, prepared meats and cheeses may be offered so folks can nibble as they enjoy a glass or bottle of Roudon-Smith wine. A tasting fee of $10 will be waived if the party purchases two or more bottles, and Wine Club members receive a free tasting for themselves and two others.

Roudon-Smith Winery has historically been dedicated to the production of exceptional wines from selected vineyards of the Santa Cruz Mountains and other regions of California. In 1972, Amdahl engineers Bob Roudon and Jim Smith along with wives Anna-Maria and June initially founded the winery as a second career. Production was later ramped down, and when the partners were ready for full retirement in 2003 the winery was sold.

The winery doesn’t own their own vineyards and the goal is to find and maintain great fruit sources. Drewke prefers to seek out small California Central Coast growers in order to form long term relationships.

Current wines available by winemaker Mikael Wargen are:

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot – Santa Cruz Mountains

Merlot, Cab Sauv, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Zinfandel, RSW Cuvée (formerly known as Claret) – Santa Clara Valley

Tempranillo, Grenache Blanc – San Benito County

Duet (Bordeaux style blend of Cab Sauv, Merlot, and Cab Franc), Rosé – Central Coast

The new tasting room will have a soft opening on June 13 with a formal opening later in the month. Drewke plans to fine-tune his hours when he sees how traffic works and then possibly expand to 12 – 6/7 p.m. on Saturday. “I am pleased that I am retaining three members of the current tasting staff and will personally be in the tasting room one day a week. I feel that direct contact with my customers is important,” he says.

Winery 408-313-5229

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