A Place Like No Other
Nestled high in the coastal ridges of the Santa Cruz Mountains, Tarwater Creek winds through woodland between Skyline Boulevard and Highway 1. The creek gives its name to both the land and our estate—raw, elemental, and steeped in time. Small natural seeps of oil and tar remain, a quiet reminder of the earth’s living geology. The creek feeds into Pescadero Creek, crossing mineral-rich soils and redwood groves shaped by these ancient forces.
The Land Speaks
The marine layer drifts inland from the Pacific, while elevation gives us crisp days and cool nights. Beneath the roots, the soils—weathered and complex, touched here and there by traces of natural tar—yield grapes that reflect character, not convention. The geology tells a story of contrast: sandstone, mudstone, and subtle seams of dark bitumen that give the land both tension and depth.
Our Story in the Landscape
Here, we don’t impose style—we collaborate with nature. The creek, the hills, and the redwoods are partners in the work. We farm deliberately, harvest attentively, and intervene as little as possible. The story of this place runs deep—on the Tarwater Trail Loop and through Pescadero Creek Park you can still find the marks of early logging roads, shingle mills, dairies, and redwoods older than memory. Each bears witness to a landscape that endures.
Visit & Experience
For those drawn to a sense of place, the region offers quiet adventure. The Tarwater Trail Loop—about five miles of forest and canyon—crosses the creek itself, letting you stand where the land still breathes its ancient rhythm. Though our focus is wine, we invite you to explore the geology, the climate, and the wilderness that together give it meaning.
Why It Matters in the Glass
To taste our Pinot Noir is to taste this place: the fog-kissed days, the cool nights, the hillside soils with their whisper of tar, and the vines that thrive in their patient rhythm. “Tarwater Creek” is more than a name—it’s a reminder of what endures below the surface: fluid movement, elemental energy, the balance of earth, water, sun, and shade. Each bottle reflects that harmony, offering subtlety, depth, and an unmistakable sense of origin.
Quick Facts
Location: La Honda, California, in the Santa Cruz Mountains
Setting: South-facing vineyard above Tarwater Creek; cool coastal influence meets full-day sun
Sun Exposure: Extreme sunlight from sunrise to sunset—often 10° warmer than downtown La Honda—creating crucial heat for varietals that struggle in constant fog
Geology: Mudstone, sandstone, natural tar seeps; creek corridors shaped by time
Climate: Fog-moderated mountainside with hot, bright days; dry summers and wet winters
Trail Access (for visitors): Near the Tarwater Trail Loop and Pescadero Creek Park