CRU Winery is honored to be recognized for crafting high-quality wines that consistently receive 90+ point scores and gold medals from publications and competitions including Wine Enthusiast, Wine & Spirits Magazine and the San Francisco Chronicle. CRU’s history of acclaim is a testament to our talented winemaking team and grower partners.
Latest News:
Winemaker At CRU Winery Inspiring Others With Path And Craft
CRU Winery Celebrates 20th Anniversary
CRU Winery Announces New Vineyard Partners
CRU Winery launches scholarship with California State University System
CRU Sierra Madre Pinot Noir receives Platinum at 2021 Monterey Wine Competition
Taste the 2022 Sarmento Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with Cellar Master Melissa Smith
Jan 30, 2025 at 3:26 PM
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CRU Winery Santa Lucia Highlands Tasting Room Becomes Blue Zones Certified
CRŪ Winery is proud to share they have been designated a certified Blue Zones tasting room at their Santa Lucia Highlands location. This impressive certification recognizes CRU Winery for actively implementing lifestyle changes and environmental modifications to promote longevity and overall well-being.
CRU Winery has been active with the Blue Zones Project since 2023, with a monthly hiking series at the CRU Winery tasting room in Soledad. This series inspired the winery to complete the certification process which addressed four pillars consistent with promoting overall well-being. With this certification, CRU Winery becomes the first tasting room in Monterey County to achieve a Blue Zones certification.
As a part of the Blue Zones pillar of moving naturally, CRU Winery will once again be teaming up with Valley Farm Management and Blue Zones Project Monterey County to offer their monthly hiking series at the CRU Winery Santa Lucia Highlands tasting room. Participants will hike through the sustainably farmed Paraiso Vineyard learning more about the importance of growing wines sustainably and then end with a tasting of CRU's award-winning wines.
Jan 24, 2025 at 12:43 PM
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About Sarmento Vineyard
Located in the Monterey's Santa Lucia Highlands, CRU Winery has sourced wine from the Sarmento Vineyard and had a close relationship with the Smith Family (who own and farm the land) for over 10 years.
The Smith Family have been growing grapes in the Santa Lucia Highlands for over 40 years and are considered pioneers of the Santa Lucia Highlands. Rich Smith, the founder of Valley Farm Management, was integral in establishing the Santa Lucia Highlands as an AVA in 1991.
The Sarmento Vineyard is located in the middle of the Santa Lucia Highlands bench and sits 600 feet above the Salinas Valley floor. CRU winemaker, Jose Reyes, has been working with the Sarmento Vineyard for over 10 years. During this time, he has had the pleasure of working with various sections of the vineyard and identifying which areas of the Sarmento Vineyard produce the best grapes. Block 19, the highest point on the Sarmento Vineyard, has long been his favorite location for Pinot Noir and in 2022 he crafted the Sarmento Vineyard Pinot Noir exclusively from Block 19.
With its close proximity to the ocean and Monterey Bay, cool winds are funneled into the vineyard providing a long, cool growing season ideal for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Jan 24, 2025 at 11:20 AM
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