Winery FactsCinnabar NameIn the 14th century, alchemists believed they could miraculously transform ordinary metals into silver and gold with the help of the mineral cinnabar. As a result, this purple-red derivative of mercury was highly coveted by medieval nobility. Time has proven them wrong, but their conviction endured in the heart of Founder Tom Mudd. By allowing rainwater to permeate his mountain vineyards and foster extraordinary grapes, Tom captured the magic of alchemy in his handcrafted wines, a tradition that continues today. AppellationSanta Cruz Mountains Mailing AddressP.O. Box 245, Saratoga CA 95071 Shipping Address14612 Big Basin Way, Saratoga, CA 95070 TelephonePhone: 408.741.5858 InternetWeb: www.cinnabarwine.com Tasting Room:Open 11am – 5pm daily (408.867.1010) and located at 14612 Big Basin Way, the 1,300-square-foot retail shop is less than five miles from Cinnabar’s wine estate in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The upscale décor is contemporary and inviting with warm wood tones including furniture that is made from recycled railroad ties. . Year Founded:Twenty-three acres of hillside were cleared for planting in 1983. The first commercial vintage was 1986. The winery building was completed in 1987. OwnershipThe Mudd Family. Before starting Cinnabar, Tom Mudd (1942–2007) was a senior research engineer at SRI (Stanford Research Institute, International) and had 10 years of experience growing grapes and making wine at his one-acre vineyard in Woodside. ManagementWinemaker George Troquato and General Manager Suzanne Frontz LocationThe estate is situated above Silicon Valley at 1,650 feet of elevation in the Santa Cruz Mountains (the first California region to be planted with vines by European settlers in the 1800s). Cinnabar is the last link in what Paul Masson called the Chaine d'Or (Golden Chain). This unique grape growing region begins in Woodside and extends south along the west side of San Francisco Bay. It includes Ridge Vineyards, Mount Eden Vineyards and Cinnabar. Vineyards27.1 acres planted: 13 acres cabernet sauvignon, 6.2 acres pinot noir, 5.5 acres chardonnay, 1.3 acres cabernet franc, .8 acres merlot, .3 acres petite verdot (estate area: 55 acres) WineryThe state-of-the-art production facility was designed by Founder Tom Mudd. Caves were later built into the hillside to provide natural cooling for wines aging in barrel. Wines ProducedA Family of Santa Cruz Mountains Wines (Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay) as well as a line of Central Coast Wines (Paso Robles Merlot, Monterey Chardonnay, Central Coast Pinot Noir and the Bordeaux-style blends Mercury Rising and Mercury Rising Blanc) and a collection of limited-production Tasting Room exclusives. Total production: 17,000 cases Distribution |