Martin Ranch Winery

Loved this place! The owners were right out there with the crowd and showed us all around. Super kid friendly and the kind of place you can hang out for an afternoon.
And they make a pretty darn good Sangiovese.

Everyone and every business screws up on occasion. Customer service should be defined by how the mistake is handled. I ordered a bottle of their premium cab online and paid for expedited delivery. This was for a special occasion celebrating the birth of our grandson. We wanted the Martin Ranch wine because Martin is the last name of the grandchild. When the wine had not arrived after ten days and the date of our departure to Sacramento was rapidly approaching, I called the winery to inquire about the shipment and found that the shipment was inadvertently misplaced at the winery and had not been shipped. Michele at Martin Ranch went out of her way to arrange delivery at our destination overnight and, as a gesture of good faith, sent a second bottle as an apology for the mistake. It arrived before we did. Thank you Martin Ranch Winery and thank you Michele. We belong to a number of wine clubs in the Napa-​Sonoma and Amador areas and found this wine to be exceptional. I foresee an annual ritual of popping a Martin Ranch wine on the child’s birthday.

There is something disjointed about this place. The grounds in places are very beautiful and yet the layout seems clumsy and not thought out. perhaps they are in a constant state of landscaping ?? … anywho… they wines were not really enjoyed by our group as a whole. The servers were not very personable either from our group discussion. We were suggested to try this winery by Sycamore Winery which is another really great wine selection, however their grounds need some upgrading as well but the wines we felt were much better. I did bump into 1 employee that really stood out. I hope I have the name correct «Bonnie «she was very pleasant and explained some of the history and the future events that we should try and attend. I wish she was pouring wine with our group we may have had a little better experience. and sometimes the experience does tend to make the wine a little tastier.

With an extra day in San Jose, my fiancé and I decided to try out a nearby vinyard. Without many reviews for any wineries in the area, we took a chance on Martin Ranch and are very glad that we did! Not only was the wine some of the best we’ve ever had (and we’ve done wine tours in Napa, Buenos Aires, Santiago, and around Italy to name a few) but the people were warm, welcoming, and very generous! If you’re in the area, make the trip to Martin Ranch. You won’t regret it! We’re already planning our return.

The wife and I stopped by here last Saturday on a lark. We were driving up to Kirigin and saw the sign for Martin Ranch on the way. I thought, «Let’s stop by that one on the way back.» So as we were driving back down the road we made the right turn down Redwood Retreat road to check it out. It’s a bit off the main road on a 2 lane twisty road far enough out that we were thinking of turning around when we finally saw the sign.
It was pretty busy as there was a winery passport going on last weekend that Martin Ranch and many other wineries were a part of. We paid our tasting fee and bellied up to one of the «bars» and started tasting some wine. I had just tasted one of their reds when I remarked to the wife, «Not bad.» Suddenly I hear a «Not bad!!!» and an older gentlemen with long white hair in a pony tail walks over to kindly give me an earful. Turns out he was the Mr. Martin in Martin Ranch. I told him not to feel insulted as I am not a huge fan of red wine. So he begins to give me an education in wine making and wines in general. We spent about 20 minutes talking about the different wines he makes, his philosophy on wine, wine storage and many other things. I’ve been to many different wineries over the years but never have I had a conversation with the actual vintner. It was quite an experience.
If you go up a ways past the tasting area there is a kids play area, a chicken coop, a good sized vegetable garden and a small pond where you can sit and relax.
All of the wines we tasted were very good and I ended up buying a bottle of Zinfandel. Their reds were all very soft and fruit forward with a delicious nose. I believe that the owners live on the property as their is a small house next to the vineyard. That must be quite the life, living right next to the vineyards where you make great tasting wine. That guy’s got it made.

My daughter and I went with some friends who are members to a bottle it yourself event. It was a cold and rainy day but we were full of happy. They had put a shelter around picnic tables. The event was very well organized. The wines were delicious. The kids had a great time playing in the playground, seeing chickens and running around the lake.
It’s a bit of a drive but it’s so beautiful back there that we didn’t really notice. Now, of course, I’m thinking about signing up to be a member… Still dreaming about that sangiovese…

Staff friendly owners are always there to welcome you all with fine red wines. Bottling event very cool and fun. Great atmosphere at the winery. Great selection of wines.

Martin Ranch winery is as good as it gets! We have been wine club members for about 6 years. We found the winery during a Passport weekend, and that was the beginning of a beautiful relationship. The wines are great. You can taste the passion they have for winemaking. They have two labels, one for Dan, the husband, and one for Therese, the wife. Their styles are very different from one another’s. For instance, the Chardonnay. JDHurley, Dan’s label, is a double gold medal winner. It is fruity and fresh. Therese’s Chardonnay is more complex and «buttery.» Both are so yummy. The Viognier is the best white wine I’ve ever tasted. It is so layered and beautiful. I can’t get enough! My favorite is the Sangiovese Reserve. It spent 4 years in oak. Oh man, it is to die for! And the Malbec… it’s perfect! I can’t wait for the Barberra that is currently aging. The price point for their wines is surprising low. The wines are worth twice the price! But even better than the wines is the way guests are welcomed and treated like family. Dan and Therese are the nicest people. They are both very engaging. Dan will often take guests in the Barrel Room for a special tasting. He is a wealth of knowledge. And David, the assistant winemaker and staff member, is just the most laid back friendly young man. The vineyards and surrounding area are breathtaking. Martin Ranch is nestled back, at the end of Redwood Retreat Road, surrounded by redwood trees and the Santa Cruz mountains. You can feel the stress leave your body as you enjoy the wine and ambiance. They are child friendly and dog friendly (with rare exception during some events). They also have fantastic olive oil bottled under Therese’s label.
The grounds include a beautiful organic vegetable garden, a rose garden, a wonderful chicken coop, a large pond that has frogs and fish, and a play area with swings. There are lots of picnic tables and shaded areas.
Guests are encouraged to bring a picnic and buy a bottle or two, and enjoy the afternoon. As Wine Club members we can bring 4 friends and we all taste free of charge. We also have access to some small batch wines, not available to the general public. And we get a discount on our purchases. Most of our friends are Wine Club members too. It’s a great way to spend an afternoon. There are not many places that are as beautiful, welcoming, and as tasty as Martin Ranch Winery.

This is the most beautiful winery I have ever been too! My daughter in law talked me into accompanying her to a tasting. I was having a terrible and stressful weekend and didn’t want to go.
I’m so glad I did! It is beautiful, the staff are just wonderful and the wine is awesome. Next time I will bring a picnic lunch and my dog and just enjoy the beauty of the place. Completely turned my weekend around.

This winery is fun! They’re only open the third weekend of the month. There is definitely a following here as it was crowded and lots of people were setting up picnics. 10 dollars to taste 5 wines, and you can also taste their wine-​club wine at a separate tent. They have a pond which is nearly empty because of the drought and a playground. The wines were wonderful… I like sweet wines but these non-​sweet wines may just have converted me. None were so harsh that I had a hard time swallowing it. Delicious on the nose and never over powering going down
I have no idea wtf I’m talkin bout I’m drunk

After being introduced to their Syrahs (grown in two different climates) at the Silicon Valley’s Wine Escape, I knew I wanted to explore more of their offerings. This time a bottle of the Riesling carpooled home with me.

My parents are wine club members here and we initially tried Martin Ranch at the Lis Altos Art & Wine Festival. We came as guests of wine club members today for tasting. They were very welcoming and the wine was fantastic. The winery is beautiful and the tasting room is outdoors with picnic tables so you have an amazing view of the vineyard, my only complaint is that they really need misters or fans around the tasting area. I definitely recommend trying their Chardonnay!

There is one thing I would break up over, and that is if she caught me with another woman. I won’t stand for that — Steve Martin
A day without sunshine is like, you know, night — Steve Martin
No, Steve Martin doesn’t own this winery but he would feel at place here. Tucked away down Redwood Retreat Road about 3.5 miles from Watsonville Road, the drive to get here is truly spectacular. On an overcast Fall day with intense redwood and pine greens combined with the beautiful oranges, reds and browns of the other trees changing color, it must be heaven on Earth to live and farm out out here.
Pity the wines do not live up to the scenery. Interestingly enough, one of the two winemakers, owner Dan Martin, admits as much on his website that he pushes the oak balance on his wines because his customers demand it. I’d say dial it back because out of the four reds I tasted, none of them were worthy of the $ 30-​$ 40 price points they were asking for and they all were bludgeoned to death of any varietal characteristics so that the Syrah tasted like the Cab which tasted like the Zin.
The one wine I purchased here was an interesting Sauvignon Blanc that started with some lovely upfront fruit, had a full mid-​palate but then ended with a very weird veggie finish. I had to buy a bottle to see what this would taste like with a meal and study that finish a bit more.
Service here was a bit strained… they are only open the third weekend of each month plus it was passport weekend. They do ask that you sign in and they then give you name tags but no one in the cramped tasting area (two tables shaped like an L in a small square sized area) ever used your first name. It just seemed like a waste of paper.
However, the views are lovely and even if the wines are not made to my taste; you may like them if you like a lot of oak in your vino. They are certainly not as pretentious as The Winery That Shall Not Be Named but I would come back in the future to see if over time, more balance is achieved and the wines can earn those lofty price points.

Well it’s almost the 4^th anniversary of my «first to review» review of this winery, so I thought it was time for another update. Ignored the gloomy skies this morning to go down to Gilroy to pick up my last Wine Club allocation and taste some new wines.
It was a little chilly but totally worth the trip. Every person that works at this place is so friendly, including the winemakers Dan and Therese. Dan shared a barrel tasting from a sauvignon blanc that is currently in barrels made from acacia wood. How cool is that? Pretty darn tasty, too. Can’t wait until it is bottled. I learn something everytime I go.
As usual the other visitors were also friendly, both club members and casual visitors. Met some nice folks and their sweet dog and got me some canine lovin’ while I enjoyed my picnic and good wine. The Winery had moved barrels out of the warehouse to shield visitors from the wind and provide a warm inside area for tasting.
I just noticed J.B.‘s review from yesterday and almost wonder if he stopped at a different winery. I’m not sure how the miscommunication about his ability to buy wine club wines could have occurred. This is a relatively small winery and it is not unusual for small production wines to be available only to club members first (or rarely, only to club members). If he really only likes white wine, the list of wines available right when you sign in could have provided a clue that Martin Ranch is red-​wine-​focussed. I do love Dan’s Sauvignon Blanc and his occasionally dry rose, and look forward this first effort at Chardonnay (which I barrel tasted last fall — YUM) but the vast majority of their wines are red. Still kicking myself that I did not buy more of the Nebbiolo last year.
Great wines, great winery, great people!

*** I am upgrading my original rating from a 2 star to a 5 star:
Through my friend Tom From FindVino he told Therese Martin of our experience and she agreed that we should have been able to purchase the chardonnay. She has offered us the bottle at a discount and it is being dropped off to my home Thursday for purchase! Is that not the best?! Obviously she knows how to treat their clients. And I appreciate it.
Martin Ranch has class, customer service and gets it. it is obvious to me that I was visiting on the wrong day and look forward to going back.
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I so badly wanted to like this winery. We have been told countless times to go and try their wines.
After an attempt to taste a few weeks back and unbeknownst to us they only have tastings on certain days/​times. (they were“closed”)Driving up and seeing the beautiful grounds and helpful owner we knew we would come back.
We went back on the day they were having tastings and I was immediately billed $ 10.00. I swear everything was about me giiving them $ to taste there wine before anything. Left me with a bit of a negative feeling but I understand. They need to earn money and we were assured that we could put it towards a purchase… why not charge us on the way out? …one transaction instead of two… seems easier but there wine, their rules.
The wines they were pouring were mostly red, I am moslly a white wine drinker and their chardonnay was good and I decided that I was definitely going to purchase that bottle. I did not care for any of the reds. Again I am not an expert.
I at one point asked for a dump bucket, pretty standard at a winery and one girl working there seemed a bit pissed that I asked and said «soon soon we are bringing them out soon just use the sink for now»
Here is the negative. The gal pouring our wine NEVER TRIED ANY OF THEM! I couldn’t believe it. How can she talk about the wine if she never tried it?
Our pours I swear were really very little. The stoppers they were using were not working and Im sorry those tasting sizes were little. At one point one of the pourers took it off because he agreed they were really not pouring enough at all.
When we decided to leave and purchase a bottle of the chardonnay and one bottle of something red, the gal at the cc machine would not et me buy the chardonnay because I wasn’t in their club. I just thought that was pretty negative. I have been to other wineries that will allow that or make an exception. These guys did not. And remember when I paid you $ 10 for a taste you assured me I could buy wine and get a credit for the tasting.
We ended up just buying one bottle of the red we chose.
Just not a pleasant experience for me and as we were going to other wineries throughout the afternnon we talked to other people that felt the same way.
On a positive note their grounds are beautiful. Very nicely designed and put together. The vibe is casual and relaxed. the wine makers/​owners were there and were accessable.
I just don’t think it was our day and I doubt we will go back anytime soon.

The Martin Ranch gang are the greatest! Everyone is friendly open and very comfortable to be with. I am in love with their reds… Which one do I like the best… Depends upon the mood!!!
It is totally worth the trip along Redwood Retreat Road, beautiful drive and spending an afternoon there is relaxing and good fun for everyone!

Tucked back and away and very secretive and open select days this wonderous winery was open for the SCC Passport.
It was like following the yellow brick road or chasing a rabbit you were kinda wondering where this winery was once you started to head down the road and when you arrived you were relaxed and welcome and there is a great wine to be found here with amazing deals too.
the four stars only bc I didn’t take part of the great deal but I look forward to finding out more about this great winery soon… when they open to the public again

Had a great time yesterday on a warm and beautiful spring afternoon with old friends. The nibbles were great and the surroundings lend themselves to a slow and peaceful conversations without politics and the economy.
The wines were okay; but, nothing to write here about as they were slightly above average not great (88 points). The owners are excellent hosts and made a very nice gesture of coming around to all the picnic tables to say hello with firm handshakes and talk wine.
If you are looking for an adventure and a very nice drive along country roads — then this is a place to consider. There is another winery just up the canyon which we chose not to visit.

Slightly off the beaten path, it’s worth the extra 10 minute drive to hit Martin Ranch. I found this winery during Spring Passport ’10, and really not that great. I found a better winery down the street from them and bought there.
They poured about 8 wines for the passport-​holder, and I only liked two of them. The Grenache was very good and the other was Therese Syrah and Cabernet. Very intense and complex fruit from Corralitos.
Their wine is just too pricey at 40 or 50 bucks on a bottle from Santa Clara, especially when you can buy a bottle of Au from the Grocery Outlet for only $ 3 and it’s just as good if not better.

Slightly off the beaten path, it’s worth the extra 10 minute drive to hit Martin Ranch. Of all the wine I tasted during Spring Passport ’10, they definitely make some of the best.
The nametag policy they employ is a little weird, but just roll with it because they really just want to be on a friendly, first-​name basis with all their customers. It’s very hospitable and fun, although you kind of feel like you’re at a convention.
They poured about 8 wines for the passpot-​holder, and I was really impressed with 3 of them. The Grenache was very good, but I was sad it was only open to wine club members. I understand why they would want to drive wine club purchases, but I’m po’. I would have bought a bottle, but I was unable to because of the classist policy. Time tough.
The two other standouts in my mind were the Therese Syrah and Cabernet. Very intense and complex fruit from Corralitos.
Their wine is honestly miles ahead of a lot of the places around, but the price certainly reflects that and then some. It’s a hard sell, to spend 40 or 50 bucks on a bottle from Santa Clara, when that precedent has clearly not been set elsewhere.