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Sat-Sun 11 am - 5 pm
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58 reviews for Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyards
58 reviews in English
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Review from Tomomi S.
6/20/2011 2 photos
This is one of my favorite winery in Santa Cruz mountain. Great place to have picnic and wine tasting. They have good solid wines, wonderful location and beautiful estate, staffs are friendly and it is $5 for 6 tasting - I've never been disappointed. My favorites are George's Vineyard ('06) and Cab Frank.
There are several picnic tables across from the tasting room so bring some munchies in a cooler so that you can enjoy some snacks here.
We enjoyed walking around the estate and looking at for horses and stables after tasting. Also there is a little box with some fabulous looking recipes to pair up with their wines so if you got some bottles here, look for some recipes to pair up with your wine! -
Review from Tiffany P.
San Diego, CA
11/26/2011
Cheap! I think it was just $5 for 6 tastes. Good if you want to get sloshed, but not good if you like good wine...
I was very sad to see that I didn't enjoy even one of the wines. I thought they were sour and acidic without elegance or good flavor.
The gentleman who helped us did talk a little about the wine (I wish he had done more... I love hearing about how wine is made and the stories behind each wine), but he also hovered in front of my group awkwardly, either not saying anything at all or asking us if we liked the wine. And that was SUPREMELY awkward because he really was a nice guy and so we all put on smiles and lied. =/ I wish he had either made better small talk or just left us alone instead of hovering.
I did like walking around the estate and checking out all the pictures of old planes inside the tasting room.
I love to support local wineries and small businesses; I'm so sad to report that I didn't like this one at all :( -
Review from Albert H.
8/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
We rushed in to the largely empty tasting room just a few minutes before 3pm on a warm Saturday afternoon. "Are we too late for the tour 3:00 tour?"
"Well, I can point you in the direction of the fermentation tanks, the aging room's over there... we do have a more formal tour, but only the first Saturday of the month. Did you see something on Yelp? I'm afraid we don't really do that."
Sigh.
Surely the person from your organization who *put* that information on Yelp can take it back off again or correct it?
Don't get me wrong - we had an enjoyable, uncrowded tasting, and the folks behind the bar were very nice. They'll pour one taste for free, or you can pay and sample pretty much everything. We shared a $5 tasting of some quite decent wines. They even poured us a taste of a lovely 2003 Syrah. I'd just as soon not have rushed up windy mountain roads in an attempt to get there before the nonexistent tour started.
Most bottles are $25 ( case prices are lower ), and they do have some distribution to local stores like Whole Foods. We tasted a dry Viognier, a Chardonnay, a Cab Franc ( their signature wine in some ways, they are on of the few to do a 100% Cab Franc ... I like it), a Cab Sauvignon, a red blend called Test Pilot ( after the founding winemaker, who was a test pilot at Ames before retiring ), and several Syrah's. They mentioned plans to make some Pinot Noir at some point in the not-too-distant future.
The tasting room shares a parking lot with a pretty popular set of stables, so do not be surprised if the parking lot is full and the tasting room less so. They're a decent tasting experience, the wine is good wine, and it's remarkably close to town ... just call first about the tour timing if you are really interested. -
Review from Erica S.
7/17/2011
Came here on Santa Cruz Wine Passport Day for some wine tasting. When I saw all the horse stables and barns, I almost felt like I was somewhere else, not Saratoga, California. We got to see the horses up close which was a rare opportunity. There were picnic benches nearby for those who want to enjoy wine there. We even got to see what looked like equestrian classes going on.
The staff was friendly. The memorable wines for me was their Viognier and their Cabernet Sauvignon. -
Review from Thinking Outside T.
Fremont, CA
7/9/2011
Cooper Garrod Vineyard had a fairly impressive website as far as family owned wineries go. Given the pretty pictures of their scenery and the fact that they encourage you to reserve their picnic tables, we decided that we would start our day here. We reserved a picnic table for noon, and we packed up a tasty lunch to enjoy with some friends.
Cooper Garrod was definitely up in the mountains in Saratoga, but luckily, our trusty GPS was able to navigate the terrain to get us to our destination. The sign at the turn off was for Garrod Farms, which was probably a nod to both their orchard history and their current horse riding trails. As we drove up to the tasting room, we saw about six mismatched picnic tables in a small grove of trees with a dirt floor, and not a one was occupied. Good thing we made those reservations.
The scenery was definitely not what we were expecting. Perhaps it would have been different if we had been there for horse riding, but the area for wine tasting definitely didn't match the pictures displayed on their website. All we could see was a road flanked by trees leading up to picnic area and tasting room, which was encompassed by more trees and old farm buildings. We didn't see any rolling vineyards while we were there.
After lunch, it was time to taste some wines! Their tasting room was a converted canning house, and the inside was covered with family mementos and pictures from the founder's time as a pilot. Everything was warm wood with the prize ribbons from their wines hung on the walls. They also had a fairly large selection of tchotchkes for purchase, along with wine bags and boxes.
We began our tasting, and we were definitely blown away by the staff! We were treated to an in depth history of the winery, starting with their apricot orchard roots on through present day. We learned about the family wedding that took them from just the Garrod Farm to the Cooper Garrod Vineyard, and we learned all about the founder's time as a pilot in WWII. It was truly a family affair, and we had the pleasure of meeting the daughter and granddaughter of the founders, who were both working the tasting room. Our lessons weren't limited to just their history, and we learned a lot about their wines. Each bottle that was presented came with its own story, and it was great to see so much passion for what they do.
We tasted 7 wines for $5, and each pour was a measured ounce. We tasted their current releases of Chardonnay, Viognier (oh yeah!), Cabernet Franc, two Cabernet Sauvignons, Syrah, and Test Pilot, their specialty red blend. They will only waive the tasting fee for a 3 bottle purchase or a wine club member.
While we enjoyed our time with the staff, it just was not enough to overcome their lack of scenery in the wine area or their average tasting value. Our overall impression of Cooper Garrod was pretty underwhelming, and we probably wouldn't seek out another tasting there any time soon.
For More review visit: http://thinkingoutside... -
Review from Erica K.
San Jose, CA
1/16/2012
I have been going to this winery for 7 years and have brought all of my out of town guest for the fun experience. That is why I would give it two stars from past experience. However, I went this past weekend. Three of us arrived about 4:30, about 30 minutes before they closed. We were enjoying our wine and our server was quite amusing. We started to wrap it up and pay about 5:05 and I was paying for our three tastings and was going to buy a bottle of wine when one of the women that work there came and snatched my sisters glass from her hand and said she was done. I said "excuse me, but what are you doing?". She told me it was her job to take away wine when she believes that someone has had too much wine. Well then I told her "well she is my little sister and it is my job to take care of her and not yours." She got really mad at me, showed me her badge and that she was apart of the family that owned the winery and to leave the property. By the way, my sister had a sip left in her glass when she took it away and was by no means overly drunk. I think she just wanted to leave. We were all just there chit chatting about the 49ering game. Our server gave us our change for the tasting and I was about to purchase the bottle of wine and then figured why would I help this winery. We left the tasting room and as we were getting to the car I decided that I would go back in there and get her name because no one in customer service should ever treat any customer like that. Especially when it is your own company. So I went back in the there and said "excuse me, but what is your name?" she looked at me from the top of her glasses and said "why? are you going to to report me? What is your name?" I told her my name and asked for hers again and she gave it to me. I know we shouldn't call out names, but her last name was Cooper. She was rude and I will never go to this winery or suggest it ever again. If you are looking for a good and respectable winery that values their wines and customers go to Savannah Chanelle.
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Review from M C.
San Francisco, CA
3/17/2011
Not sure what had happened to my review. I came down here before for some wine tasting and it was just OK. The wine really wasn't tasting that great, the lady had mentioned that they were in the process of making some porto. I would love to taste that considering their wine has a lot of potential for porto.
Would like to come back for their horseback riding. -
Review from wayne w.
12/27/2010 1 Check-in Here
$5 for the tastings, although the pours are pretty small. The staff there is hit or miss. The young woman pouring for us was awesome and very friendly and knowledgeable (especially for her age of 25 or so). However, there was an older woman there who was....let's say, ecclectic.
This place was the first stop on a day of wine tasting and it was decent. Fair warning though: the winery is next to a horse stable, so the smell of "nature" comes wafting through the door from time to time.
All in all, not a bad little winery. -
Review from Mike T.
Los Gatos, CA
9/11/2010 1 Check-in Here
So, THIS review is not so much a review of the wine, but rather a review of the winery. Actually, this is not so much a review of the winery, but rather a review of the tasting room. Well, as I think about it, this is not so much a review of the tasting room, but rather a review of the parking places in FRONT of the tasting room. They are GREAT!
In all seriousness, today my 7 year old son and I visited the Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyards for a picnic. We kind of stumbled upon them, as we had intended to pic to our nic at the Mountain Winery, but those damned Doobie Brothers were playing, so the venue was closed to the public - I was going to Listen to the Music, but the Black Water in the China Grove that Jesus said was Alright was drained by an Evil Woman...actually she was a Dark Eyed Cajun Woman with Eyes of Silver who said go to Another Park, Another Sunday, and as an Ordinary Man I just kept Rockin' Down the Highway until I found Cooper-Garrod. When we arrived, I was pleasantly surprised to find a shady parking spot (4 stars), and fairly large stabling area, as well as a grounds area with training rings, jumping, and LOADS of horses. My son was stoked, so we parked the car, and headed out.
Just off the south side of the tasting room is a nice training ring with picnic tables, so we copped a squat, and watched a few horses run, while we diddled our Subway sandwiches. My son watched as two horses ran, and their trainer snapped the whip along their side. Within minutes the nice lady allowed my son to pet the two horses (his first time) and feed them some grass. This was magic...it was my boy's first time up close with horses. This was fabulous!
After finishing our lunch, we decided to explore the grounds a bit more. We headed up to the main training ring (just behind the tasting room...I have to keep mentioning that, since this is a winery review, right?) , walked down 2 or 3 different roads, and were invited to meet (and feed) more horses. Now, far be it me to judge anyone, but do these wealthy folks not like to feed their own animals? Nonetheless, my son was more than happy to oblige. Then headed back to THE TASTING ROOM area...where our car was parked.
From the TASTING ROOM, we headed to the adjacent stables, where we freely perused the plethora of horses that were locked behind bars. This was a real treat, as my son was able to see a true stabling area, which happened to be mostly full at the time. Several horses had their heads poking out, and allowed my son to pet them. I waited for them to ask him to feed them, but it never happened (Mr. Ed has filled my head with high expectations).
After the stables, we headed up to the north vineyard (well...this is a winery review, right?) where it was time to catch some lizards. WE WERE IN LUCK!!! There were no less than 6 lizards kickin' it in the sun on the same rock BY THE NORTH VINEYARD. Mikey caught one, which quickly went in to our empty water bottle, with plans to put him in the terrarium at home.
It was now time to head back to THE TASTING ROOM, where the car was parked. Our trip to Cooper-Garrod lasted about 2.5 hours, and I must say, it was fabulous. In all seriousness, I chose to right this review because we had such an excellent time on the grounds. While it is not the Garden of Eden, it has a beautiful, country-like feel and wonderful views, nestled in the foothills of the town of Saratoga. Whether you are a wine drinker or not, this is a GREAT place for a family picnic! EVERY person we passed during our walk invited us to meet their horses! We explained we were just visiting, and they were thrilled for us, just the same.
I can't speak for the wine (I'll review that when I'm not driving around with my son in the car), but I can safely say that if you're looking for a relaxing place that has NO Doobie Brothers, this is the place. -
Review from Darin E.
9/30/2010
My brother took me here while I was in town visiting. It is a great drive into the hills. I am not an educated wine consumer, but I really enjoyed every taste. I am not a big white wine fan, but the Viognier was a whole new experience for me. The Cab Franc was my fave among the reds. Taste for yourself.
The tasting room staff dude was really nice - we were the only ones in there and we got very nice treatment. He knows the wines and he knows the interesting history of the vineyard families Cooper and Garrod. Apparently the husband of the couple (from days of yore, Cooper?) was a NASA Ames test pilot, and didn't start selling wine till he was in his 70's.
4 stars for a nice afternoon at an interesting destination. The wine was a nice bonus. -
Review from Connie C.
San Jose, CA
1/11/2010
Cooper-Garrod was our second stop during our afternoon of wine tasting. It was a little tricky to find in the hills, but we finally came across it, along with some horses. Yes, there are riding stables, and you can go horseback riding throughout the estate and through the Fremont Older Mid-Peninsula Open Space Preserve.
The tasting room staff was very attentive to our group of 9. We all opted to do the $5 tasting. I was a fan of their '07 Viognier, which was indeed "Summer in a bottle."
The real treat was that we were graced by the one and only George Cooper, the winemaker himself. You would never be able to tell he was the ripe age of 93! He came in, chatted it up, took photos and signed a few bottles for our group, all while enjoying a glass of his own wine. Once a fighter pilot in WWII, and a test pilot for NASA Ames, he's lived an incredible life. I was able to get him to sign a bottle of the "Test Pilot" red wine for our birthday boy.
There's a lot of history here, and worth making a stop at if you're doing a Saratoga wine tour.Listed in: Santa Cruz Mountains Wine…
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Review from Betty N.
1/11/2010 2 photos
3.5 stars to be exact.
Besides having to smell the manure in the stables nearby, it had a "cowboy rustic" charm to the tasting room. The staff were friendly and after our first three wine complimentary tastings, we opted to share a $5 tasting (six or seven tastings).
My favorites:
2007 Viognier
F-86 Test Pilot
Good place to let loose and have fun. If you're lucky, you might be able to meet and chat with George Cooper, the owner of the winery, who is 93 years old. Great man.
RECOMMEND the two Proprietor's Flights (six or seven wines) - $5 tasting. -
Review from Mami T.
San Francisco, CA
8/19/2007
2000 Cabernet Sauvignon George's Vineyard is a steal for $35 / bottle.
This wine (George's Vineyard) is from the oldest vines of the estate, and it is noticeably more complex, integrated and refined than other 2000 Cabs (Vally View Vineyard and Lone Oak Vineyard). -
Review from Antonia R.
Mountain View, CA
12/4/2010
Wandering through the hills of Cupertino/Saratoga, my fiancée remembered this estate from about 30 years ago when he would come for riding lessons. This time we came for the wine and we were impressed with what we tasted and happy with the level of service! So much we became club members to come back periodically and taste new blends.
They have ample parking and their staff is super friendly, helpful and seem to love what they do there! They are good to give you a history lesson on the vineyard and it's owner(s) as well as explain the stories behind the labels.
Their new Test Pilot we just took home today is spectacular: smooth and enjoyable! -
Review from Sharon T.
9/28/2008
Wine tasting and horseback riding all in one convenient spot, the Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyards delivers an interesting take on presenting you their wines with its rustic surroundings. DEFINITELY more "Farm" than "Vineyard"...
To start off, my personal experience here today was NOT the greatest, but I got exactly what I came for, so I'm not going to fault the place for my dropping my camera and getting dirt in it. But if you intend to get photos, do come early because there will not be much time given for photo-ops while on the horse, and LEAVE THE CAMERA AT THE CHECK-IN DESK. Your SLR kit or personal digital will thank me for it. Even IF you do not drop your camera like I did, the horses on the trail will kick up so much dust that it will be covered in it no matter how much you try to protect it, and they don't want you to be fumbling around with camera bags when your attention should be on the reins and where you're going. Moving on...
I like wine, the bf doesn't care much for it... I like horses and nature, my bf is a city boy. So today, he put up with everything like a patient bf, and I give him total brownie points for it. His horse, Trojan, was a grumpy fellow that had to trail behind because he did not like other horses... I know, because Trojan tried to kick my horse. =(
One thing you should also know is that you will not just be slowly going up a mountain on your horse the entire time. I was taken by surprise when my horse went into a sudden sprint up a steep road to catch up to the others, and that's when I dropped my camera. There was a friendly man on the trail that walked back to retrieve it for me, and I was very grateful that he appeared out of nowhere to help.
We continued on the trail, and the views were amazing with low clouds over the city, tucked between hills and vineyards. I was grateful to get off my horse for some wine though, because Sultan was a little sprinter. [My ass hates me right now...] At least I can say I have some riding experience now, because being on top of a horse while someone guides you by the reins is not considered riding. Now I know... and I've been able to stay on my trusty steed for close to a full gallop to know I am not too noob of a rider now. Yup.
On to the wine... oh, the wine... I am an avid fan of reds. I did not like any of them that was included with the wine-ride package. That doesn't mean the wines are not good. The were light with ashy notes, where I like my cabs heavy. The young woman presenting the wines did start us off with a Chardonnay by saying, "This Chardonnay has converted red wine followers, from what I've been told..." - and she did not lie. I loved it. I never thought it possible, but I found a white wine I took fancy to. The tasting included various types of cheeses and croissant sandwiches, and a fruit plate... and the standard water and crackers.
My experience here was not bad. I only wish I was a bit more prepared for what to expect. So my tips are:
1.) Don't bother taking your camera equipment w/ you unless you have a death wish for it.
2.) Wear shoes. They weren't too happy I was wearing boots, but I had no problem with it.
3.) BRING SUNGLASSES AND A SCARF to wrap around your face if you don't want black boogers and temporary moments of blindness due to dust in your eye. Come here with a cowboy mentality, and you'll be well prepared.
I'll re-write this when I have some more time to make this a more entertaining read. So this is just FYI... =DListed in: Grab life by it's short and…
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Review from Alex B.
3/7/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Tasting fee was $5. The wines were just OK - nothing special compared to Sonoma/Napa wines. The site was beautiful, though. Horses, flowers, barns, hay, old cars.... my husband took a lot of great pictures!
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Review from Paul S.
San Jose, CA
5/10/2009
Now I have to say to all of my fellow Yelpers who felt thrown off by the fusion of oenophiles and equestrian fanatics, just enjoy it. It is an unexpected pairing that works quite well here. When I think of the Bay Area and its hilly surrounds, I think of both of these things. It makes good sense that they were married here.
Although I did not get a real in-depth look into the inner workings of the winery, (possibly soon), I am impressed with the product. Fruit forward wines which emphasize the inherent flavors of the grape, and lean away from the masking effect of lengthy aging in oak. The Cabernet Franc was very nice, but the standout for me was the Chardonnay.
Bright, crisp, very pleasant. A brief note of sweetness which is immediately followed by pectin-rich fruit flavors like pears and apples. Wonderful wine, backed by a friendly and knowledgeable staff who were taking the weekend crowds in stride.
Parking is limited, but don't give up. CG is worth the effort. Please also see my separate review for their riding stables ("Garrod Farms Riding Stables"). -
Review from Anna L.
2/24/2008 4 photos
Wow, this is a cute spot nestled in the outskirts of the Santa Cruz (?) mountains in Saratoga. The drive was beautiful, and surprisingly close to my home (15 min). I was bummed that the rains were horrible, but I am looking forward to trying the Eco-tour hike they hold in April (this past Sat was cancelled due to the weather).
*It definitely felt more like a horse stable than a winery, but the service was great and we enjoyed ourselves while we were there. The Viognier and Merlots are sold out for the season, so I was bummed.
*If you are in to red wines primarily, they have some that are nice full bodied reds, yet soft on the palate.
I kinda want to go horseback riding there also... hehe, I don't know if drinking and Riding are a good combo though! -
Review from Rob M.
San Mateo, CA
7/17/2006
Cooper Garrod Winery is one of those places that makes me feel inspired. The winery is run by a guy names George Cooper who was in the US Air Force in WW2 and then was a test pilot for NASA until 1973. He then retired but decided to devote himself to his hobby of making wine. Thirty years later he has a thriving business making high quality wines. His walls are adorned with photos of his test flight days yet the focus is still on the wine and the quality. The Claret & Viognier in particular are not to be missed. Most of the employees are family members and very knowledgable about the wine and the winery.
Another interesting thing of note is the Garrod Family Riding Stables that offers horse riding lessons. I haven't tried it but I like how it contributes to the overall farm nature of the site. -
Review from Tiffany W.
Fremont, CA
10/8/2007
Cooper-Garrod was our second and last stop of the day during a mini Sunday afternoon wine tasting trip with my coworkers. One of my coworkers is really into wine, and brought us to Cooper-Garrod and Ridge today. Cooper-Garrod is a nice little winery with the wine tasting area that looks like a small barn. Along with the winery, there is a stable next door for horseback riding.
This winery was pretty packed when we got here, more packed than when we had gone to Ridge. I liked the inside of the wine tasting room a lot. It wasn't modern or chic looking, but more of a nice, old feel to it. They had a lot of pictures on the wall, including pictures of some of the people who had opened up the winery. And also a bunch of pictures that sort of made up a mini-history timeline.
We tried a bunch of wines here, and I loved their white wines. I ended up buying a bottle of their Viognier for $20, which isn't too expensive at all. The staff here was excellent , very nice, and very helpful with explaining the different variety of wines, and also a little bit about the history of the winery.
Overall, I enjoyed my visit to Cooper-Garrod a lot. Considering I'm still pretty young and barely just got into drinking wine, I was very excited to find out that we had so many wineries in the area. -
Review from Jeff P.
Oakland, CA
4/20/2008 3 photos
Cooper-Garrod has a lovely setting in the mountains above Saratoga. They also have horseback riding here so you are likely to see horses walking about. It possesses a long history in wine & fruit growing and the military. You will be told all about this within your first 180 seconds in the place. The tasting room is rustic and chock full of history bric-a-brac and knick knacks.
All of the wine at Cooper-Garrod is estate grown & bottled. The wines here are, unfortunately, a bit inconsistent similar to those at Picchetti. The main difference is that the wines here are much more reasonably priced and the sales push is lot less here as well. -
Review from Angela B.
3/29/2010
So, several weeks ago, my boyfriend opened a bottle of '97 Cooper-Garrod cab to go with a very fancy filet mignon we were having, and we were all stunned by how amazing it was. "You know," he mused afterward, "I really need to go back there."
So a few weeks later we did. The scenery is gorgeous, the tasting room is all rustic, and the folks pouring could not have been more friendly and knowledgeable. We had several very good cabs, and a really nice cab franc. The prices are reasonable, and bonus that it's a much shorter drive from the city than most of our other favorites. Pretty sure we'll be back (in less than 11 years). :) -
Review from Diana E.
Sunnyvale, CA
6/27/2008
One of the few Santa Cruz Wineries I had not had a chance to visit. One Sunday I decide to locate it. Well, no one told me that it was at the end of the road to nowhere. Not all that bad if you like horses. Somehow with that name and what others I had mentioned to me previously in my wine class, they thought it was good. Yes, so wine drinking is truly subjective.
So I truck out to the middle of never never, finally find it. Hmmmmmmm, WTF horses, big A.. farm. Hmmmmm, where is the Tasting Room. People on horse walking by. Then I see signs, horses this way, tasting room that way. So now I wander down the path since I now discover I could have parked closer and possibly avoided the land mine of cow poop to find this wooden house that resembles an old school post office. I go in, not too inviting. I'm so not impressed. There are medals up, and I say well can't be too bad let's give it a try.
As I am tasting, which for me is more spitting than anything when I"m driving, I'm struggling to understand the characteristics of what they are telling is supposed to be in my glass. I'm bewildered. Still trying to give it the benefit of the doubt, I take my glass and wander around a rather dusty like T.R. When you grab a map and things flap off uh oh.
Well, the wine it's doing it for me, but I did find a few things that did. FREE Recipes, now we're talking. So I go through the recipe box while still trying to determine if the wine I just sample would go better with food, hmmm perhaps, that's what wine is suppose to do. So, being the trooper I buy a bottle of Merlot and pick up an anniversary present for some friends. Sterling wine bottle holder with nice decorations. Unique. I'm pleased with it. So, now I think to myself I should grab a bite to eat with the hope that this wine I have purchased will have some redeeming possibilities. Well, sorry folks, I left it on the table for the wait staff.
I so wasn't feeling it. I have seen the CG name many times and also represented in many events but, this one definitely did not work for me. Now, if you're looking for a local place to go riding this is your place. Picnic, I'm not so sure unless you're used to horses, sorry to say I'm not.. I'd say it's worth checking out, for yourself. But, I don't think I'll go back. -
Review from Mike E.
San Jose, CA
11/5/2007
A definite little gem in the hills above Saratoga. The Claret and George's Vineyard Cabernet were outstanding. Surprisingly, however, although I'm usually a red drinker I ended up leaving with a bottle of their Voignier. It has a very nice apricot/peach scent and taste but still dry, not sweet. The only way I can describe it is that it is similar to an apricot ale,only in wine form. Very unique.
The only wine I didn't like here was their Syrah. Syrahs are normally one of my favorites but this one just didn't do it for me. The describe it as having " memories of a great campfire" but it was more like drinking a campfire than remembering one. Just way too smoky for me. That's justy my taste though. Apprently it's won awards so you may like like it.
The stables next door are prettty nice too. I brought my 4yo little girl up here for a pony ride and she loved it. Normally "pony rides" are 5 minutes long and they go around in circles inside of a pen. Not here though. They actually get the little ones in helmets and take them for a 1/2 hr trail ride. The smile on my little sweety's face was worth way more than the $25 it cost. -
Review from Kara B.
East Bay, CA
5/26/2010
I was here during the "Passport" event, so I'm not sure if this skews things at all.
I really wanted to like this place because its close to my house, has horses, have a good picnic area, and is next to hiking trails.
Honestly I did not like any of their wines, not a one. I paid extra to get extra tastings, cause I hoped that the "premium" wines would taste better, but alas they didn't. My friends said it tasted like horse shit, I'm not sure I would go that far, but not a one tasted good to me. Normally if I don't like a wine I still drink it and don't pour it out, but all of theirs, I poured out.
The staff was not very friendly either. I tried to make small talk, but that didn't work.
I wouldn't go back here for the wine, but I will be seen hiking on the trails behind the farm. Or perhaps I'll take a horse ride, but definitely won't be drinking their wine again. -
Review from Ede S.
5/2/2008
This small, family-owned winery has a free wine tour every first Saturday of the month at 11:00 ONLY! The tour is around an hour long, and since it's free, it's definitely worth it! They ask that you make reservations beforehand (but I think that's all for formalities sake. My bf and I showed up right at 11 and just ran up to join the group tour).
The tour was pretty typical, they show you the grapes and how it's grown, you go into the barrel room, yada yada yada. Afterwards they let you taste basically all their wine. I really enjoyed the experience; and I think we went home with a merlot. (I also placed myself in a wine tasting mood the night before by watching "Sideways".)
The only downside of it is that the air smells like horse dung. Not a good place to have a romantic picnic with your s/o... -
Review from Matt H.
1/5/2009
Not a fan of any of their wines. The wife and I always go hoping that something would be different, but at the end of the day end up not buying anything. The tasting room is wonderful but the wines are not...
Points for horses and kid friendly things around... although I'm not a fan of parents bringing their kids on wine tasting trips. -
Review from crystal h.
Milpitas, CA
10/5/2009 1 photo
$5 for the tasting of 4 wines and plus 3 complimentary ones. The wine pours were a small amount, but you can ask for more if you want more.
Service- very attentive and friendly.
They provide free wine grapes, cheese, crackers, and bread in the back. The cheese and bread was so stale! Must have been out there for like 2 days?! The wine grapes were pretty sweet!
They even got horseback ridings here! I think it was about $40-50 for an hour. -
Review from Kevan M.
12/4/2009
Cooper-Garrod has a great setting and great story to go along with it. It's in a hilly wooded area on the outskirts of Saratoga. There are horses walking around everywhere - I counted at least 15.
The tasting area is in a rustic ranch-style building. Overall the wines were decent. I opted for the reserve tasting ($5). The wines tended to be big & fruit-forward. The service was passable but awkward. -
Review from Ralph D.
Fremont, CA
Cooper-Garrod Vineyards is located in the Santa Cruz Mountains outside of Saratoga. This place is a must visit if only to check out the combination horse ranch & winery. Cooper-Garrod has an old fruit storage shack from its days as a fruit ranch for a tasting room, and horse stables that offers horse riding lesson and trail rides. I don't know if I'd mix both activities, but Cooper-Garrod is a great find. The tasting room is quaint and has tons of kitch on sale. The staff were friendly and very proud of the history of the vineyard. Cooper-Garrod pours a lot of Cabs. I found the Cabernet Franc to be pretty tasty.
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Review from Diana L.
Mountain View, CA
6/22/2008
The wine here was pretty good. There are three wines for free tasting, and I believe you pay five dollars for tasting of five additional wines. (I don't quite remember how many.) I would definitely recommend going for that additional tasting as the better wine was part of this latter part of my tasting experience here.
The tasting room is an unassuming wooden cabin that reminds me a bit of a clean saloon with trinkets for sale dominating the floor space instead of rickety tables and chairs. The people behind the bar were all friendly, young, and laid back. We enjoyed chatting with them about the wine and winery as we did our tasting.
This vineyard is actually a part of a ranch, so there's a stable filled with horses for horseback riding. I think some of my friends were interested in coming back for that particular activity. :-) I like horses and everything, but I'm not a fan of their smell that came wafting around every so often. Ah well, I suppose you're coming here for the wine anyway, so it's okay. :-) -
Review from Wayne K.
Mountain View, CA
6/15/2008
COOL:
- Horses in stables to see. One of the horses took a liking to me.
- The "Old West" theming of the entire place was super cool. The styling of the buildings matched this theme and there was an old car parked there too, sitting next to an old school gas pump.
- Friendly guy who did the tasting with us. Friendly woman who showed us a horse.
- Fun, quaint gift shop.
- Free wine tasting.
LESS COOL:
- No sweeter wines.
- None of the wines was super awesome or cheap.
- It's no fun to walk around outside since everything smelled like horse. -
Review from Karen C.
San Jose, CA
8/30/2009
When I hear wine-people talk about Cooper-Garrod, they always mention the Estate Cab Franc. I had to try it for myself and lucky for me, this weekend was very ample for some wine-tasting and savoring in the SCM.
The winery is situated among the beautiful hills in Cupertino/Saratoga area. It's a bit of a trek to get out of here, but the tasting room and wine is so worth it! It's nothing fancy, but often, embellishments are just overrated. The staff was personable and welcoming, they spent a good amount of time sharing information about the owners and winery.
The wine itself did not disappoint either. The Cabernet Franc is as great as everyone said it was-- perfectly balanced, approachable, and drinkable now. I've seen other wineries try to sell their mediocre Cab Francs for twice this price, so $25 is a total steal. We also enjoyed the 2003 George's Vineyard Cabernet--oaky, balanced, with a nice velvety finish. The Captain's Cuvee is sure to be a big crowd pleaser--plush and fruit forward.
Great prices, great service, worth your time to visit. -
Review from Min L.
Stanford, CA
2/17/2008 2 photos
This place is absolutely charming. My friends and I were served by the owners (not unusual) and they were knowledgeable about their wines, and friendly. We even got to meet George, the guy who started this place, and the namesake of their fantastic 2000 George's Vineyard Cab (which truly is a steal for $35).
I used to come here when I was young for horseback riding lessons, and the horses today remain some of the most beautiful ones I've seen.
After tasting their wines in the warm and humble tasting room, I'm starting to appreciate what good wine is, and it puts into perspective that touristy-heavy and overpriced Napa isn't all that great.
I got the 2000 George's Vineyard Cab, and the 2005 Viognier (which tasted like honey, amazing). See http://www.flickr.com/....
I'm a fan, and am taking my dad here for wine tasting for his birthday. They also have tours on the first weekend of the month (call in to check). -
Review from Brian C.
Cupertino, CA
4/16/2009
ARE YOU JOKING!? They have greattt wine! Their cabernet - franc has a sense of sophistication, not just the normal astringency attained from grape skins. Also, their chardonnay was amazing, with a fruity lustful flavor as well. It reminded me of Paris wines. WOW...I never would've thought I'd find wines like these. However, their cabernet sauvignon was alright.
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Review from Louise W.
Saratoga, CA
Updated - 12/18/2010
The website is back! Cyber theft! But they survived!
Their wines are so good!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/4/2010
The wines are great! We often buy them by the case.
The website is gone. The site … Read more »
Comment from Bill C. of Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyards 10/7/2010
cyberterrorism on Sunday night: took action, got it back, no… More » -
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Review from Lynn W.
3/7/2009
This is a beautiful location. It's just down the road a bit from the Mountain Winery so you get the nice views. I love animals so I loved seeing all the horses and people brought their dogs. There is a nice picnic spot with seveal tables under some lovely trees. If you want sun, you have it, but if not there is shade as well.
The tasting room is nice and has a warm feeling. There are lots of old pictures on the wall depicting the valley, the old orchards, and the way it used to be before it became the Silicon Valley.
They offer you the first three tasting for free then it's $5 for the next 3. The Chardoney was nice, light, nothing spectacular. I like the Syrah the best. It seemed to have a more fruity taste, more jam, to it and I liked that. However, I was not impressed with anyone working in the tasting room. The women that started our pour barely said anything about the wine and walked away as soon as she poured it. We had to flag someone down to continue our pour with the rest of the wines. It was close to closing time but that should not be an excuse. I could see they were having trouble with the credit cards going through and had to do a transaction by hand. But there were 3 other people behind the counter that had the personalities of a wet mop. NOT good if you are trying to sell wine. The couple that was next to my group tried to start a conversation with an older man that was pouring some wine for them and he just gave them a blank look and a one word answer.
This is a great setting but my suggestion is that they need people with a bit more personality to be pouring the wine. They might sell more wine if they did. -
Review from Sandra S.
San Jose, CA
7/3/2011
I have to say that the wines here were decent....HOWEVER, the staff was awful. They are lucky to be getting 2 stars from me. 25 friends were on a wine tour bus and had some mechanical trouble. We called because we needed a detour and they said they would accommodate us. In retrospect, I wish they would have denied our request. The woman Barbara that was pouring there was rude and unfriendly.Although there were other employees, we were stuck with the same unfriendly woman. I considered buying their savignon blanc but decided against giving them any of my money.
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Review from Janine E.
Seattle, WA
4/30/2007
One of the things I miss about living in Santa Cruz is that I can no longer purchase Cooper Garrod's Cabernet (one of my favorite wines of all time) at Costco....actually I have not been able to get Cooper Garrod anywhere down here in SoCal. *sigh*
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Review from Gary H.
Burlingame, CA
11/17/2010
Part of the appeal at this winery are the horse stables adjacent to the tasting room. The wines are very drinkable. The fact that all their wine grapes in their wines are grown on the estate is pretty impressive considering the area and terrain is not typical to the industry. I recommend their Viogner and Cab-Franc. They specialize in what some would consider "Dinner" wines; nice wines to drink during a family dinner.
