Big Basin Vineyards - Tasting Room & Tapas Bar

Love this place!! It has everything you need for a fun afternoon. The rosé is lovely, and we always get the beef empanadas because they are INSANELY good. The location is great, and the service is friendly, attentive, and laid-back in the best way. We always can’t wait to go back!

Such a cozy place with decor. My favorite thing I had the night I visited was the Genovese flat bread! I am a big fan of wine, so means a lot when the food doesn’t leave my mind at all tasting room. I’ll be back!

Such a cute place to go wine tasting, the ambience is amazing! My friend and I sat by the fire and enjoyed all the delicious wine! Ed was amazing and knowledgeable. We’ll be back!

Everything about this place has us planning our next visit. Decor inside, gas fireplaces outside and amazing wines and food. You do not want to miss Juan’s empanadas. We had the Syrah and the Viognier which were both excellent. Sean is also such an asset to the entire vibe. His hospitality is enough to return weekly. Thanks for the amazing date night setting.

Stopped in on a Sunday afternoon to relax and enjoy a bottle of wine. Kristine was out server as we sat in a quiet corner relaxing for a couple of hours. Local wines are good in a flight or just enjoy by the glass or bottle. And don't forget to bring a bottle home.

We’ve now been to both the winery in Boulder Creek and the tasting room in Santa Cruz. The ambience at both is wonderful. The tasting room has great food and a beautiful outdoor space for our dog. Ed is always great, friendly and super attentive. Highly recommend all the wine, but especially the Grenache!

Great location for the tasting room. The actual vineyard is very beautiful. The wine is superb. Great value for members, otherwise tastings are pricey. So become a member and enjoy all the perks. They have a great selection of vinyls to listen to which gives the place a great vibe. Great inside and outside area to enjoy. Cheers.

My +1 really wanted to try a wine bar while we were out here. The ambiance was nice, the wine was fine, the food was good, but service was "meh" and it didn't really come together like it should have. I gave 4 stars because 3 was too low, but I really wanted to give like a 3.5. We came in on a week night and the place was empty except for one person sitting at the bar, who didn't stay long after we got there. We literally stood around for a few minutes until a person on a computer in a dark back room noticed we were there and greeted us. He offered us the couch and cleared an empty bottle and some plates that had been left behind by other customers. My +1 wanted to try the mid-tier flight selection that started with chardonnay (her favorite). I'm more of a cabernet kind of guy, but they didn't have one so I tried a glass of their house blend, which was close enough. We also asked for their warmed olives and a beef empenada. The wine was decent, the olives were good, and the empenada was tasty (but they forgot the chimchurri sauce!), but we had to remind the guy serving us that my +1 had ordered a flight. A group of 4 came in a bit after us and I think the guy kinda forgot about us a couple times between them and whatever he was doing on the computer. And like other reviewers had mentioned, the food offerings were good, but nothing was really paired up and it was pretty random. Overall, the place was quiet and we had the corner of the room to ourselves, but it felt like the guy serving us was more interested in the computer, and the lack of paired wines/foods was surprising. I feel like a little effort in both areas would go long ways into what could be easily 5-star experiences.

Stepping into Big Basin Vineyards Tasting Room & Tapas Bar in downtown Santa Cruz feels less like entering a wine bar and more like entering a gentle hymn to place, palate, and provenance. From the signature redwood bar to the quiet murmur of conversation beneath warm lighting, the room sets the stage beautifully for the journey ahead. Their wines, birthed from ocean‑influenced mountain vineyards, are more than just sips -- they are distilled landscapes. Big Basin's commitment to minimal intervention and organic farming ensures that each vintage "speaks" -- from the minerality in their Chardonnays to the dark-spice resonance of their Syrahs and Grenaches. What makes this tasting room truly sing, however, is the food. Under the steady hand of Chef Juan Garay--who began with a pop‑up empanada venture during the pandemic--each small plate is conceived as a musical partner to the wines, not a foil. His spinach‑ricotta empanadas, drawn from a cherished family recipe, arrive warm and tender, accompanied by a bright, herbaceous chimichurri that cuts through creaminess. The beef and chicken empanadas bring fullness and savory depth, harmonizing beautifully with a GSM blend rich in spice and berry. He also gives us trios of dips (roasted red pepper, olive tapenade, hummus), Portuguese tinned seafood, and cheese and charcuterie boards that feel just right -- generous without excess, deft without fuss. I recommend their events and theme night options: "Wine & Oysters" popup, Wednesday Wino Bingo, and Sip and Play Thursdays. The coastal salinity of the bivalves seemed a perfect echo of the vineyard's maritime edge, while the wines ranged from brisk, citrus‑tinged whites to more textured, tactile bottlings. The vertical tastings (such as the Odeon & Altitude series) further underscore their ambition and pride in vintage expression. In this space, food and wine are not separate acts but collaborators -- and the effect is nothing short of transcendent. If one must choose whom to thank for this alchemy, Chef Juan deserves full acknowledgment for elevating small plates into something memorable. But no less credit belongs to the winemaking team and vineyard stewards: their organic, low‑intervention philosophy gives the wines vigor, nuance, and a kind of geographical voice. Pair that with a tapas menu designed to echo, enhance, and converse with those wines -- and what emerges is not just a tasting room, but a true destination for lovers of wine, place, and hospitality. Highly recommended -- and I can't wait to return.

Love, love, love everything about Big Basin wines! We have been wine members for over 10 years. We were thrilled when this tasting room opened. The staff is always so welcoming and knowledgeable. A special mention goes out to Ed today! Thank you Ed for sharing the wines in a way that feels like friends sharing their new favorites with friends!! It was great to have gluten free options on the menu and the GF flat bread was fantastic. The fire pits outside are cozy and the wine bar inside has a cool vibe. If you are searching for a great wine tasting experience where you may just find your new favorite wine - definitely check out Big Basin!

First timer at Big Basin Vinyards. The atmosphere is welcoming and comfortable. The wines are so good! I don't typically gravitate towards whites but even those are divine. Laurie was so kind and knowledgeable about the selection. I'll definitely be back. If you come on a Wednesday don't forget your wig.

We did a tasting at Big basin wine bar in Santa Cruz on Saturday afternoon. It was a very laid back and chill atmosphere. There were several tables filled and most people were eating food as well as drinking wine. I enjoyed every wine I sampled and because of that, I really want to visit the winery property. I definitely will return here. Great location and the food looked good, too.

Great welcoming feel for our first time with our fur baby great service, wine tasting was amazing, charcuterie board was delicious, overall the ambiance was very relaxing!

We came to Santa Cruz as a spontaneous trip. So glad we stopped at this place. The service was great. The staff is very attentive. We got the cheese board to pair with our wine and so glad we did. It was delicious! The atmosphere is great indoors and outdoors. And they are dog friendly which made the experience so much better. If you are in the area, definitely stop by. You won't regret it

Cute patio area that caught our eye when walking to the Wharf. Service was great and ambiance was very cool. I was not a huge fan of the white wine tasting but in talking to the staff member I learned I tend more toward warm weather wines (as opposed to cold weather wines which are common in Santa Cruz).

From the moment you walk in, you can tell this place has something special--and a big part of that is Ed. He's not just cool; he's the kind of effortlessly genuine, laid-back cool that makes you feel welcome instantly. Whether he's recommending the perfect wine flight, cracking a great joke, or just checking in with a warm smile, Ed brings the whole vibe together. You can tell he knows his stuff, but he never makes it feel over-the-top or pretentious. It's like visiting a friend who's got great taste and just wants you to have a good time. The atmosphere is amazing, the wine is fantastic--but honestly, it's Ed who makes the whole experience next-level. If you haven't been yet, go--and when you do, make sure to say hi to Ed. He's the kind of guy who turns a great night into a memorable one. There's something truly magical about a Margherita pizza. The simplicity is its brilliance--each bite is a celebration of flavor. The juicy, sun-ripened tomatoes burst with natural sweetness, perfectly balanced by the creamy richness of fresh mozzarella. Then comes that aromatic touch of fresh basil, bringing everything together in a harmony that's both bold and comforting. The crust? Lightly charred, airy, and crisp--holding all that goodness with just the right chew. It's not overloaded or trying too hard. It's just... right. Honestly, no matter what's on the menu, I'll always choose a Margherita. It's that delicious. Classic, authentic, and endlessly satisfying--it doesn't just taste good, it feels good. The custom flights of red and white wine were an absolute treat--each glass a new chapter in a delicious story. The reds were deep, bold, and full of character--from smooth, fruit-forward notes to rich, velvety finishes with just the right touch of spice. Every sip invited reflection, perfectly warming and complex. Then came the whites--crisp, refreshing, and surprisingly layered. From zesty citrus tones to creamy, oaky elegance, each one was like a breath of fresh air. They danced across the palate with balance and brightness, making it impossible to pick a favorite. The variety was thoughtful and exciting--tailored to offer contrast but with a sense of harmony. Whether you're a wine lover or just curious, these custom flights were more than just a tasting--they were an experience worth savoring.

My family and I made a reservation for a Saturday afternoon and were seated promptly. They have a cute outdoors area with nice fireplaces for groups. We were greeted with some rosé while we browsed the tastings menu. We did the Exploratory and Reserve tastings, which our server explained nicely with each pour. Halfway through we decided to take a peek at the food menu and the arancini caught our eye. They use local Far West Funghi lobster mushrooms in that dish, and paired with the aioli, it was AMAZING. While waiting for our food, we were given some complimentary snacks as the chef was cheffin' the arancini up to perfection! Overall, this was one of our best wine tasting experiences and we would recommend to our friends!

Lovely service and delish wines! Friendly staff to boot. Oh, and bread with olive oil was a great compliment to our flight.

A what beautiful glass of rosé wine from the tap. The wine is fruity delicious and refreshing. I've tried tons of rose' had my personals on their beautiful wooden counter and I needed to have it all in the photo. This wine is just as beautiful as my wares. The food is absolutely delicious. Please jump online and check out their menu as well . ED is usually here on the weekends.

First time visitors of Big Basin Vineyards and it was awesome! Ed was fantastic, very knowledgeable and sat down to explain each of the wines from our summer flights for the newbies to the vineyard world that we are! highly recommend sitting outside with the fire pits. Ed creates a welcoming visit and do yourself a favor ordering the pinsa, it was incredible!

Had a great visit at Big basin winery with Ed, enjoyed a few delicious small bites, and me and all my girls enjoyed different flights. Such a cute wine bar in downtown Santa Cruz right next to the beach, good vibes and wonderful staff. Affordable but high quality and definitely recommend to friends visiting and locals too. 10/10

I've been to a lot of wine tastings and this has to be one of the coziest and friendliest ones I have ever been to. Everyone was so welcoming and not to mention the seating area outside with the fire pit made me want to stay all day. They have great food options and a nice variety of wines. They even offered to take our pictures without us having to ask. Will definitely be the go-to spot from now on.

Ths pizza + prosciutto was amazing! Ed was so phenomenal in terms of wines, histories and helping us pair what is best. He lit an outside fire for us and took the time to make sure we had fun. Thank you For such a phenomenal experience!

I was on a little vacation in Santa Cruz and stumbled across this wine gem! Our hotel pointed us in this direction and we are excited to have found them! It is an unassuming location with ample street parking nearby on the way to the beach. We got some food to go with our tasting and while their kitchen is small, everything was delicious. This place has a great selection of local wine and our server Ed was knowledgeable and all staff were attentive and friendly! There is a nice outdoor patio with lawn games! I highly recommend a visit to enjoy delicious wines and a great vibe!! I will make this a stop on a return visit to Santa Cruz!

The service was excellent, as was the comfort level (plush outdoor seating and blankies) for enjoying our sunset wines. We sat outside at one of their fire pits with our doggie. We did 2 different flight tastings with a side of their warmed bread and house olive oil to complement. It was a lovely experience and we would definitely return and recommend.

We devoured it all! Everything was so delicious on the Charcuterie board, and I couldn't believe it was less than $30! That three cream soft cheese... O.M.G!!! Spread that on everything! lol The empanadas were amazing topped with a perfectly zesty little salad. I can still taste it. Mmm The Margherita Pinsa with prosciutto was light and tasty. Thanks for the recommendations Ed! Your service and kindness was truly appreciated after a long day of fun at the beach! We definitely will be back!

My +1 really wanted to try a wine bar while we were out here. The ambiance was nice, the wine was fine, the food was good, but service was "meh" and it didn't really come together like it should have. I gave 4 stars because 3 was too low, but I really wanted to give like a 3.5. We came in on a week night and the place was empty except for one person sitting at the bar, who didn't stay long after we got there. We literally stood around for a few minutes until a person on a computer in a dark back room noticed we were there and greeted us. He offered us the couch and cleared an empty bottle and some plates that had been left behind by other customers. My +1 wanted to try the mid-tier flight selection that started with chardonnay (her favorite). I'm more of a cabernet kind of guy, but they didn't have one so I tried a glass of their house blend, which was close enough. We also asked for their warmed olives and a beef empenada. The wine was decent, the olives were good, and the empenada was tasty (but they forgot the chimchurri sauce!), but we had to remind the guy serving us that my +1 had ordered a flight. A group of 4 came in a bit after us and I think the guy kinda forgot about us a couple times between them and whatever he was doing on the computer. And like other reviewers had mentioned, the food offerings were good, but nothing was really paired up and it was pretty random. Overall, the place was quiet and we had the corner of the room to ourselves, but it felt like the guy serving us was more interested in the computer, and the lack of paired wines/foods was surprising. I feel like a little effort in both areas would go long ways into what could be easily 5-star experiences.

This place has so much potential! Loved the interior set up. Plenty of places to sit at the wine bar and elsewhere. Service was very friendly, attentive, and I could tell that they were passionate about their wines. The snacks that we ordered were tasty and great to munch on while sampling the wines. A couple of things that my group agreed on were in need of improvement: -Pricing. $35 for a reserve tasting was quite expensive when you consider other wineries in the area. I really enjoy red wine but could not justify the price tag. You need to buy 2 bottles to receive $20 off of your tasting. -Quantity of the pours. We felt like for $25-$35 tastings that the pours were pretty light. I ordered a glass for around $20 and it was definitely smaller than expected. It prevented me from ordering another glass. Overall this is a cool place to eat food and taste wine, if you are willing to pay.

We have been here three times to try their wines. First of all, their wines are delicious. We really enjoy the offerings they have and feel their price points per glass and per tasting are fair. The ambiance and the service is good, but their staff definitely drinks while they are working. This doesn't inhibit them from doing their job but they definitely enjoy the offerings of their work place. Today we had a unique experience; the manager (I'm assuming) told my fiancé and I that it wasn't proper etiquette to bring outside food and eat it here. He stated they have their own menu. He said it could interfere with other guests experience, but we looked around and saw nobody. We were caught off guard because last time we came, our server mentioned to us that we could bring outside food. Also their 'food' menu offers snacks and empanadas. Not a hearty food option for drinking. I asked if he didn't want us to eat our food and he stated it was fine but it definitely made us feel unwelcome. I would advise eating beforehand to ensure you have a full belly when drinking. Most of the staff is friendly, music is good, space is clean, definitely check them out.

I have mixed feelings.... To start, it's a really nice spot, with nice wine, and nice food. It's definitely all high quality and clean and professional. But... I was really hoping that the food/wine pairings would be something that really enhanced the flavor of the wines. And we'll, they just didn't. Now don't get me wrong, the food was good. The wine was good. But they just didn't do anything magical in complementing each other. We did the portfolio tasting which I found the Pinot noir to be the best part of. The Chardonnay was also solid. We got 4 items from the menu - each one designed to go with one of the wines in the flight. The cheese and charcuterie board was definitely yummy. Especially the cheeses. The mushroom tartare was a little weird - a bit sweet which was strange for me. The empanada was quite good The trout salad was excellent - favorite food of the day. But again, didn't seem to especially enhance the wines. Also, there was supposed to be fixe prixe menu of their new food, but they hadn't gotten it together so I was a little sad about that. And lastly, I know it's just the industry, but why does wine tasting have to be so darn spendy? $30 for what amounts to like one glass of wine? Really?

The rose was good, and I like that they offer food options. Next time I'd like to do a tasting and try the others. The service was great too!

We popped into Big Basin Tasting Room for a small bite to eat and wine. The food was great, the wine was outstanding - we bought a bottle to take home. The people were fantastic, especially Ed, whose recommendations and attention went above and beyond. I highly recommend!

We just opened a 2017 Chardonnay from this place. (note: it was the only wine we could buy as the rest were just awful). I absolutely do not understand any positive reviews for this winery. All were really acidic with very little fruit. I expect wines with a beginning a middle and an end This chardonnay had only acid, no fruit, nothing but one note. I expect nothing is made to be aged at all and this wine did not hold up. Do not waste your time or money at this winery and more importantly, DO NOT be seduced by a lovely environment, the ambiance does not excuse the awful wine,

I've been a BBV wine club member continuously since 2009, and I have enjoyed seeing Bradley's wines evolve with time. I was sad when they closed their old tasting room in Saratoga, but I've always enjoyed visiting the estate winery in the Santa Cruz Mountains. I enjoy the winery so much, I only visited the Santa Cruz tasting room for the first time today, Easter Sunday. I loved the space (much roomier than the old Saratoga venue), and the food menu. The wines are excellent as they always have been, and the service was outstanding. Sarah (Sara? Sorry I didn't catch the spelling!) was my gracious hostess, and she helped make my tasting and club shipment pickup a real joy. If you're looking for great wines, small plates, and company in Santa Cruz, stop by the BBV tasting room for a treat.

Fom a customer viewpoint, I can see a lot of positives, such as a a lovely tasting room and good wines and food. However, there seems to be no understanding of selling anything or running a business. My friend was seriously interested in becoming a wine club member. She asked for a wine club brochure and was told it was "complicated" as there were many tiers, and the employee literally left it at that and never followed up. It was if they are decidedly trying to warn guests from becoming wine club members or avert them from joining a wine club. Odd. The tastings were really small. The food was very good though maybe little salty. One of our friends ordered a glass of wine that never came. I tink it is a good place, but needs more hustle, such as more generous tastings, upselling of wine clubs, attentive service, and so on to stay in business.

Cute spot in SC! Great selection of wines and service is good. We had a cheese board and warm bread, which hit the spot. Will be back!

Excellent service. The whole team was great and the wine was delicious. I recommend the reserve flight to start to try the reds

We showed up to taste some wine after dinner. Their kitchen was closed, but they still had snacks on hand-- warmed olives and truffle chips. The two main staff members there were super welcoming and hospitable. Wine was poured as we sat just to say hello and welcome. We sat on some comfy couches inside and each tried different flights. We enjoyed the wine, and again, the staff were very pleasant and hospitable, but also not overly invasive/in our space too much, so we also had time to connect with each other. Highly recommend, and we will be back.

I highly recommend a visit to this urban tasting room outpost of Big Basin Vineyards. I have been a club member for years and deeply impressed the attention to detail with which owner, Bradley Brown, invests in his business. As a request to my Yelp friends: I would love your social media support for my Stealth Presidential Candidacy in 2024. Please share my videos and other social media messages with like-minded allies. May today be the day you choose to believe. Bradley Daniel NARANCH

Beautiful, comfortable, modern decor. Good service. Great wine and food. Loved the trout salad.

We had a wonderful experience here. We also love the estate vineyard so it was great to see this location stood up to the expectations of the winery tasting room. The food was super good and well paired with the wine. The staff was incredibly hospitable and attentive. We tried the empanadas from Panchos Empanadas which were baked and beyond delicious! Can't recommend them enough. We also tried the spiced nuts and the three dips paired with companion bread. A really great experience overall. I will definitely be back. Also note that parking can be a bit tough.

This was our favorite tasting spot in Santa Cruz. The wine was great, the servers were very knowledgeable and the food..........it was amazing! We kept ordering more and more because we couldn't believe how good it was. A must stop if you're in the area.

Exquisite wine, beautiful ambience, and excellent service. This is by far my favorite vineyard and tasting room in Santa Cruz. Not only is the wine the best, the art and decor makes it very romantic for an intimate date, and they also have a large outdoor area with fire pits for bigger groups.

Awesome place. Beautiful redwood and photos throughout, great wine, delicious locally sourced bites to eat. I might be a bit biased, but who isn't?

My wife and I popped into this place pretty randomly on a Friday night. It's got an excellent, open air vibe with a pateo. They serve AMAZING snack plates (with plenty to choose from) along with local wine. We dressed casually. We don't drink and they had several options for us (mocktails/sparkling water and more). The live music was out of this world (artist: EYES LIKE LANTERNS). The staff was marvelous. Christina and Juan were super friendly people and provided excellent service. Can't believe I've never been to this hidden gem, highly recommended!

The wines weee very good. The cheese and charcuterie board was okay I wish it offered more for the price. I enjoy the ambiance and there was a good amount of seating. The reason for the low view was due to experience. I enjoy learning about the wines how they're made, the history, what to expect etc. For this wine bar they pretty much give you the wine with not explanation and the menu does so much either. I feel that is part of the wine tasting experience and that lacked.