Press

Vinous
October 2019
“…perfumed, savory wines with a good bit of energy that often need a few years in bottle to be at their very best. Readers will find plenty of delicious, compelling wines here.”

International Wine Report
June 2019
International Wine Report scores our 2019 releases, finding much to love…

Six Nation Wine Challenge
2019
Big Basin Vineyards 2016 Coastview Vineyard Syrah wins a Gold Medal in the Shiraz/Syrah Class!

View From the Cellar
July-August 2019
First time reviews from John Gilman, who seeks to celebrate the world’s great traditional wines and the inspired artisans who produce them.

Vacation Idea
22 Best Things to Do in Saratoga, California
Our tasting room made #2 on the list of things to do in Saratoga. Be sure to stop by for a flight after your relaxing walk at Hakone Gardens.

Jeb Dunnuck
Regional Report: Santa Cruz Mountains and the Santa Lucia Highlands
“As with the rest of California, 2016 was a great year for both regions, with yields back up to around average and the wines showing more rounded, supple, balanced styles…with the Santa Cruz Mountains releases leading with more obvious structure and minerality. Both regions are a treasure trove of awesome Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays.”

Wine Enthusiast
February 2019
Matt Kettman reviews 2015 Rhones and 2016 Pinot Noirs and Whites, calling our 100% whole cluster Lester “stunning”.

Slow Wine Guide
Slow Wine Guide to the Wines of California 2019
We are proud to be recognized by the Slow Wine Guide as representing “benchmarks in quality” with our 2014 Rattlesnake Rock showing “an expression of place, originality, and history”. Be sure to come see us at the Slow Wine Tasting in San Francisco on March 4, 2019

PinotFile, December 2018
2018 California Pinot Noir All-Americans
2016 Big Basin Coastview Vineyard Monterey County Pinot Noir 96… “a gifted wine….sleek and polished….swagger and finesse in one package.”

Conde Nast Traveler, December 3, 2018
Best Wine Regions to Visit in 2019
Excited to have the Santa Cruz Mountains named as one of the wine regions not to miss in 2019! And we wholeheartedly second their recommendation of a hike at Big Basin Redwoods State Park followed by a relaxing trip to our Estate Vineyard!

Piedmont Post, November 7, 2018
The Wine Corner: “Pierre’s Top Ten – the best of the best”
Pierre DuMont tasted every Wine and Spirits Top 100 wine and picked his top ten. Big Basin’s Rattlesnake Rock Syrah is one of them!

UNITED Hemispheres Magazine, November 2018
Silicon Valley – your one-day must-do itinerary
Justin Goldman recommends a visit to our Saratoga Tasting Room in the popular inflight magazine!

Robb Report, October 30, 2018
Silicon Valley’s Backyard Wine Region Goes Digital
Our 2014 Rattlesnake Rock Syrah is “one of the wines worth hunting down” in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

PinotFile, October 12, 2018
California’s Big Basin Committed to Whole Cluster
“Whole cluster fermentation of Pinot Noir can be a risky proposition but Big Basin Vineyards is committed to it “big time,” and the results are stunning. “

Wine and Spirits Magazine, August 2018
Top 100 Wineries of 2018
“Big Basin Vineyards has proudly earned a place among Wine & Spirits Magazine’s Top 100 Wineries of the Year. “

Wine and Spirits Magazine, August 2018
Top 100 Tasting 2018
“Big Basin Vineyards’ 2015 Coast Grade Pinot Noir was selected as one of the Top 100 Wines in the World by Wine & Spirits Magazine”

Vinous, August 2018
Santa Cruz Mountains — The Gorgeous 2016’s
“The wines are wonderfully detailed and finely sketched to a degree I have not seen in the past.” – Antonio Galloni

Wine Enthusiast,
Summer 2018
“Wine Enthusiast’s Matt Kettmann reviews Big Basin’s 2014 Rhones and 2015 Pinot Noirs and Whites, calling our 2015 Homestead Block Roussanne an “epic bottling”.”

Wine & Spirits Magazine, April Issue
Year’s Best Pinot Noirs
5 of Big Basin’s 2015 Pinot Noirs were included in the ‘Exceptional’ category!

The Press – SF Chronicle, March
The New Audacious Face of Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir
“Winemaker Bradley Brown loves Rhone varieties, but he also excels with Pinot Noir. At his high-elevation estate, you’ll taste some of the most exciting wines from the Santa Cruz Mountains.”

The Press – SF Chronicle, March
Big Basin – Saratoga: Refined and Soulful Wines
“Since winemaker Bradley Brown founded Big Basin Vineyards in 1998, he’s been producing some of the Santa Cruz Mountains’ most refined, soulful wines. He excels in the modern, leaner style of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that is becoming more commonplace in the region, but Brown is also one of the leaders in Rhone-style wines, especially Syrah, Grenache and Roussanne.”

Wine & Spirits Magazine,
February Reviews
“Crisp red-apple-skin notes meld with rich crushed-strawberry flavors, while an iodine note, a scent of kelp, adds some coastal complexity.”

Drink Insider, February 6
Santa Cruz Mountains Terroir: Exploring the Wines of Big Basin Vineyards
“Deep within the Santa Cruz Mountains, amongst the woods and ancient Redwood trees, Bradley Brown is crafting some of the best wines of his life. His wines are fresh, full of energy, delicious – and they may just be some of the most exciting domestic wines I’ve tasted recently.” – Terry Lozoff

The Press – SF Chronicle, February 5
Big Basin Vineyards – Boulder Creek: Syrah with a side of Redwoods
“When you come to the estate to taste, you’ll sit outside, looking up at Rattlesnake Rock’s rows of Syrah, Grenache and Roussanne… The setting alone would be worth the journey, even if the wines weren’t excellent. Good thing the wines are excellent.” – Esther Mobley

PinotFile, January 21
Recently Tasted Pinot Noir & Other Wines
“I am always intrigued by the Pinot Noir wines from Big Basin because they offer considerable nuance and individuality.” – Rusty Gaffney

The Press – SF Chronicle, January
The 52 California Wineries you need to visit in 2018
“Big Basin has a small tasting room in downtown Saratoga, but on weekends it’s worth the trek to its stunning winery in Boulder Creek”

PinotFile, December 2017
2017 California Pinot Noir All-Americans
“….a glorious wine….vibrant and refreshing….”

Vinous, August
Santa Cruz Mountains – The 2015s and 2014s
“Once again, I came away deeply impressed with the wines I tasted during my annual visit to the Santa Cruz Mountains. Rugged hillside sites and an extraordinary range of microclimates confer tremendous personality to Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah and red Bordeaux varieties. There is little doubt the finest Santa Cruz Mountains wines are world-class in every way.” – Antonio Galloni

Jeb Dunnuck,
August Issue
“Bradley Brown’s Big Basin Vineyards is certainly one of the top estates in the Santa Cruz Mountains.”

Wine Enthusiast,
June Issue
“Winemaker Bradley Brown manages to capture all of the redwood forest-like spice of this region in his lithe bottlings.”

The SOMM Journal, June-July
Islands in the Sky: Discovering what makes Santa Cruz Mountains Wines so Special
Conversations with Bradley Brown of Big Basin, along side Nathan Kandler of Thomas Fogarty Winery and Vineyards, and Jeff Brinkman of Rhys Vineyards, representing the region’s iconic tradition of bold, brazen winemaking.

PinotFile, February
Big Basin Vineyards Whole Cluster Goodness Again
“Last year about this time I wrote about the compelling 2013 Big Basin Vineyards Pinot Noirs crafted by winemaker Bradley Brown. Bradley is one of a cadre of California Pinot Noir winemakers using significant amounts of whole cluster inclusion in their ferments. I am attracted to Pinot Noir crafted with whole cluster inclusion because I find the wines have more interesting aromatics, flavors and textural nuances. As Bradley told me, “Whole cluster changes the fermentation kinetics to slow things down and adds greater potential for intra-berry fermentation. The benefits are more beautiful aromatics and a layer of dense tannin that lends weight and structure to the wines.”

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, October
The Santa Cruz Mountains
Jeb Dunnuck had the opportunity to taste of number of our wines on his last trip to the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Vinous, July
Brilliance in the Santa Cruz Mountains
“If I had to name the greatest estates in California, at least two, possibly three, would come from the Santa Cruz Mountains. These rugged hillsides above Silicon Valley are home to some of the most distinctive, pedigreed Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs and Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines readers will come across.” – Antonio Galloni

Wine Enthusiast,
June Issue
Wine Enthusiast’s Matt Kettmann was able to taste through a line-up of nearly all of Big Basin’s 2016 releases. He very much appreciated the wines with six getting Editor’s Choice designations and all of the wines 90 or higher point scores.

PinotFile, March
Big Basin Whole Cluster Goodness
“One winery among the 62 members of the Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association (SCMWA) that stands out is Big Basin Vineyards. Iconic wineries of the Santa Cruz Mountains such as Mount Eden Vineyards, Rhys Vineyards, Thomas Fogarty Winery and Windy Oaks Estate Vineyards and Winery have built their much-deserved reputation, but Big Basin Vineyards has ascended over the past 18 years to join this upper echelon of mountain Pinot Noir royalty.”

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, October
The Santa Cruz Mountains
“I continue to love the wines from Big Basin’s Bradley Brown, the style has shifted towards the fresher, leaner end of the spectrum. Nevertheless, they certainly shine for their purity of fruit and tight, focused profiles.” Jeb Dunnuck

Vinous, July
Santa Cruz Mountains: Scaling The Heights
“Standing high atop the North American Plate the eye is drawn to the gorge below and the forest that lies on the San Andreas Fault. Across the valley, the Pacific Plate comes into view. The hustle and bustle of Silicon Valley is visible down on the valley floor. A seemingly endless stream of cars moves through the freeways like ants; industrious, but also totally silent. We are in the Santa Cruz Mountains, one of the most unique wine producing regions anywhere in the world.” – Antonio Galloni

PinotFile, April 7
Tastes of World of Pinot Noir
In PinotFile’s article on the recent World of Pinot, Wine Critic Rusty Gaffney described our most recent Pinot releases as “…gorgeous and nuanced.”

In Pursuit of Balance, February 23
New York City Seminar Video and Photos
We recently participated in our first IPOB tasting in New York City. Photos of the event can be seen here. We were also fortunate enough to be selected to participate on a panel discussion titled “Getting It Right: Triumphs and Failures In the Pursuit of Balance; a video of the seminar can be seen here.

Wine Enthusiast, March
California’s Best Syrahs
Wine Critic Matt Kettmann described our 2011 Rattlesnake Rock and Old Corral as “Big Basin wines are incredibly unique and delicious. They’re aromatic in lavender, violet and white pepper, and full of energetic verve, perhaps the most striking evidence that Syrah should continue as a Central Coast star.”

SF Chronicle,
Pride of the West Coast – The Chronicle’s Jon Bonne picks the top 100 wines of 2014
Jon Bonne recently selected our 2012 Lester Family Vineyard Pinot Noir as one of the top 100 wines of 2014. He had this to say about it “A big shift in styles at Bradley Brown’s winery outside Saratoga, here seen in one of Santa Cruz’s little-known vineyard gems, the Lester site near Corralitos. It’s full of spice: cypress, peppercorn, violets, with bright cherry and a lovely, deep bass tone akin to salted licorice.”

Edible Silicon Valley,
Soulful Wine: A Vineyard Hike and Tasting at Big Basin Vineyards
Mary Orlin visited Big Basin Vineyards and wrote this piece for Edible Silicon Valley.

In Pursuit of Balance,
Announcement of 2015 Member Wineries
Big Basin Vineyards has been selected to join 32 of California’s top Pinot Noir and Chardonnay producers to be represented at In Pursuit of Balance. In Pursuit of Balance seeks to promote dialogue around the meaning and relevance of balance in California pinot noir and chardonnay.

The Wine Advocate, August
Issue 214
In this issue, Jeb Dunnuck reviews the 2012 whites and Pinot Noirs, as well as 2011 Rhones. “Located high up in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Big Basin Vineyards is run by Bradley Brown. He releases numerous estate wines, yet also makes a number of wines from other top vineyards in the Central Coast. These 2011s show the freshness and focus of the cooler vintage, and his 2012s offer beautiful purity, with more fruit forward profiles.” – Jeb Dunnuck

Vinous,
July Issue
Antonio Galloni tasted through the 2012 Pinots,the 2011 Rhone blends and some of the 2012 Rhone blends from barrel.

Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar,
May/June Issue
Josh Raynold’s tasted through Big Basin’s a selection of the 2012 vintage wines.

Vinous,
November Issue
In this follow-up tasting to his July reviews, Antonio Galloni tasted through two additional 2011 Pinots and the 2010 Rhone blends. “Proprietor Bradley Brown crafts some of the most compelling, small-production artisan wines in California’s Central Coast. With each passing year, the wines are more refined and polished, making Big Basin one of the most dynamic up and coming wineries in the state. The 2012s are the most promising young wines I have tasted from Big Basin.” – Antonio Galloni

Vinous,
July Issue
Antonio Galloni tasted through a selection of Big Basin’s 2011 and 2012 Rhone blend barrel samples, and upcoming releases from the 2011 vintage including Pinots, whites and Homestead. “Proprietor Bradley Brown crafts some of the most compelling, small-production artisan wines in California’s Central Coast. With each passing year, the wines are more refined and polished, making Big Basin one of the most dynamic up and coming wineries in the state. The 2012s are the most promising young wines I have tasted from Big Basin.” – Antonio Galloni

Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar,
May/June Issue
Josh Raynolds tasted through Big Basin’s 2009 Rhone blends and 2010 Pinots with every wine receiving a 90+ point score and wonderful reviews.

The Rhone Report, December
Issue 14
“Located in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Bradley Brown continues to fashion some of the top Syrahs and GSM blends in California. While his wines emphasize fruit and texture, they maintain seamless, elegant profiles, as well as solid backend structure that will allow them to age gracefully. All of these wines were followed for multiple days and benefit substantially from decanting, and time in the glass. They are highly recommended.” – Jeb Dunnuck

Loam Baby – A Wine Culture Journal,
Issue 2
Winemaker Bradley Brown was interviewed by R.H. Drexel in this new e-zine written for passionate wine enthusiasts. “I’ve come to visit Bradley Brown because I have been told by colleagues that he makes one of the best Grenaches in the United States, and I want to taste it….Bradley typically blends his Grenache with Syrah, in a bottling he calls “Grizzly”, a tremendously elegant Rhone blend, but he tastes me on stand alone lots of 100% estate Grenache. Suffice it to say, I’m blown away.” – R. H. Drexel

Wine Advocate,
Issue 202
“I tasted a bevy of gorgeous wines with proprietor Bradley Brown this year. These new and upcoming releases are impeccable and strongly suggest Brown is one of the up and coming stars of the region. I can hardly wait to see how his wines develop in the future. Most of the 2010 Pinots were harvested during the first week of October, on the late side that year. The wines spent 16 months in French oak, between roughly 40-60% new. The 2009 Syrahs were picked during a broad window that started in early October and lasted much of the month. Brown gave his 2009 Syrahs about 27 months in French oak, from 50-86% new. I also tasted a number of wines from barrel, most of them 2010 Syrahs and Syrah-blends. Today, those wines are very promising, as the cold 2010 vintage seems to have brought out the maximum in varietal definition and nuance.” – Antonio Galloni

The Rhone Report, November/December
Issue 10
“Located at the top of the Santa Cruz Mountains, these serious wines are made by Bradley Brown and show thrilling levels of fruit and structure. While certainly not shy, they stay balanced and fresh on the palate, and display beautiful purity of fruit. All of the wines benefited from substantial air time and in most cases showed even better on the second day after opening.” – Jeb Dunnuck

Uncorked, November 4
Bradley Brown’s ‘Idiot Savant’ Syrahs
Wine writer Laura Ness chronicles what got Bradley into winemaking and how his approach is evolving over the years.

Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar, November/December
Issue 159
Josh Raynold’s tasted through Big Basin’s 2008 Rhone blends and 2009 Pinots with every wine receiving a 90+ point score and wonderful reviews.

Wine Advocate,
Issue 196
“Bradley Brown crafts gorgeous artisan wines from his vineyards in the Santa Cruz Mountains and Monterey County. The wines are fermented with ambient yeasts, see no racking and are bottled unfined and unfiltered. The Pinots are aged in 50% new medium toast barrels, while some of the Syrah and Syrah-based blends see higher amounts of new wood. Brown is gradually moving towards reducing toast levels and amounts of new oak. The 2008s are big, rich wines marked by the low yields of the year that are the result of the spring frost. Vintage 2009 was a flashier, more overt year until a heavy rainstorm hit on October 13. The 2009s generally are lower in alcohol than the 2008s. As good as these wines are – and they are often outstanding – my feeling is that Brown has just scratched the surface of his potential.” – Antonio Galloni

SF Gate, July 15
A New Geography for Santa Cruz Mountains Wine

SF Gate, July 15
Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir: Chronicle Recommends

Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar,
May/June Issue
“Big Basin has become a consistently reliable source for extroverted but balanced pinots and syrahs that show exotic perfume (lots of whole clusters here) and flamboyant but seldom overblown fruit from low yields. Owner and winemaker Bradley Brown told me he picks late, from cool, high-altitude sites worked organically. He uses only native yeasts, which tend to draw out the fermentations, thus building complexity.” – Josh Raynolds

Wine Advocate,
Issue 192
“I have consistently enjoyed these wines from Big Basin winery. They are big, beautifully balanced and impeccably well made efforts displaying lots of purity. Sadly, production varies from only 70 cases of the Frenchies, to 300+ cases of the Rattlesnake Rock.” – Robert Parker Jr.

Backcountry Wines, July
Big Basin Vineyards: The Wild West
An interesting and in-depth view of Big Basin Vineyards and winemaker Bradley Brown’s passionate drive to create great wines.

Local Getaways, July
Santa Cruz Mountain Wine Getaways

Wine Spectator,
2011 Issue
James Laube tasted both the 2007 Mandala and 2007 Odeon and gave high praise to both wines.

The Rhone Report,
November Issue
“Another stunning lineup of wines by Big Basin’s Bradley Brown. His ’07s show the structure and depth of the vintage, while the ’08s are fleshly and ripe.” – Jeb Dunnuck.

KCBX Radio,
Interview with winemaker Bradley Brown

Santa Cruz Sentinel, May 26
Wine’s modern makers: Santa Cruz County vintners walk a fine line, combining old traditions with new technologies
Big Basin Vineyards was featured in the Santa Cruz Sentinel cover story

The Rhone Report,
February Issue
“The 2007 Big Basin Vineyards Syrah Mandala spends 20 months in 40% new French oak barrels and offers up stunning cassis and blackberry fruit, smoked meats, graphite and spice notes. This opens up with air and shows impressive complexity and a perfumed, bright character.”

SF Gate, September
Metro Silicon Valley
Big Basin Vineyards was featured as the “Staff Pick” for best Syrah – “Big Basin Vineyards is making a name for its earthy, spicy and complex Syrahs.”

SF Gate, December 26
Most Memorable Wines of 2008
The 2005 Rattlesnake Rock was selected as one of 20 “Unexpected Pleasures.” Writer Jon Bonné concluded that we had “…found a perfectly expressive site for it – and may have given the southern Santa Cruz Mountains a reputation for spectactular Syrah.”

Wine and Spirits Magazine, December
Big Basin was named one of Wine & Spirits Top 100 Wineries in 2008. This designation honors wineries from around the world that have delivered the best performances in W&S tastings throughout the year.

AM New York, April 2
“The Imbiber” column
“The ’05 Rattlesnake Rock Syrah is a tempestuous little beauty, to be sure. Bold blueberry flavor intermingles with mocha and sharp spice for a veritable medley of divergent tastes.”

Wine Spectator Magazine, March Issue
Big Basin Vineyards was featured as one of ten “Promising New Producers” making Syrah in California.

Wine and Spirits Magazine, February
High-Country Syrah, a story about Syrah in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Wine Spectator Magazine, March Issue

Big Basin Vineyards was one of eleven California wineries considered “Highlights” of 2007. “Owner and winemaker Bradley Brown had guidance from Rhone specialist John Alban for his winery and vineyards, located in the rugged Santa Cruz Mountains. The wines are big and bold, but production is limited.”