Press

We have received some nice press attention from local, regional, and national publications.  For the full text of these articles, click on the publication name.

Metro Silicon Valley & Metro Santa Cruz, February 6, 2008 -- Pinot Country for Odd Men  Indeed!  Journalist Stett Holbrook ventured into our mountains to profile three iconoclastic pinot producers.  Jim and his beret were featured prominently: “One of several wines I tried...a beautiful, feminine, well-structured wine that leads with fine flavors and aromas of rocky earth and spice backed by delicate notes of strawberry and plum with a soft, almost creamy finish that goes on for miles...it’s clear that he’s onto something here at the southern end of the Santa Cruz Mountains.”

Good Times, October 11, 2007 -- Jim Schultze “makes what many are claiming is the finest pinot noir this side of Burgundy.”  Christina Waters, a one-woman local wine and food writer-institution visited us and managed to condense two hours of interview into one of the best descriptions of our winemaking and particularly, Jim, that has ever been written about us. Visit the link, and see a great shot of Jim amongst our soon-to-be harvested 2007 crop.

Pinot File, September 10, 2007 -- “If I were a pinot noir grape, I would like Jim to raise me and make me into a fine wine.”  Rusty Gaffney, The Prince of Pinot, wrote an insightful, detailed article about our clones, our vineyard activities, and our winemaking philosophy, as well as reviews of our wines.  This single article touched off a mini-firestorm of blogging activity, resulting in the capping of our Wine Group—talk about the power of the Internet!

Los Angeles Times Sunday Magazine, April 1, 2007 — A fun article with great pictures of Jim in his beret, and lovely pics of our vineyard.  And how nice to be featured in such a far-reaching newspaper.

Pinot File, April 1, 2007 — No, this really wasn’t about April Fool’s Day!  And he likes us, he really likes us!  
“The Reserve....will stand up to anything produced in California and is everything you could hope for in a Pinot Noir.”  And our Chardonnay: “A stunner....a Kistler-killer for half the price.”

Santa Cruz County Sentinel, March 21, 2006 — Writer Kirsten Fairchilds visited the winery and talked with us and our intern about the international flavor of our winery, as well as our unique approach to winemaking.  We made the front page!

Wine Enthusiast magazine, November 1, 2005 — High ratings and lovely descriptions of our Pinot Noirs:

01 Pinot Noir Estate Reserve  -  91 points 
"A deft and suave Pinot, racy and elegant, all silk and satin on the palate. Yet there's nothing shy about the assertive flavors. Cherries and black raspberries flood the mouth, encased in rich acids and a vivid coat of oak." Editors' Choice

02 Pinot Noir Estate Blend  -  87 points
"Light in color, light and silky in texture, this elegant wine shows pure cherry, cola, coffee, oak and vanilla flavors.  It goes down easy, with enough seriousness to stand up to fine fare."

Register-Pajaronian, June 13, 2005 – Intrepid local reporter J.D. Hillard wrote a nice profile of our participation in the Vintners’ Festival held in the first two weekends in June 2005.

"Jim described his pinot noir as Burgundian... samples of different versions reveal wines with far more body and fuller flavors than typically delicate pinots.”

Los Angeles Times, May 8, 2005 - Writer Janis Cooke Newman ventured into our mountains to write an article on local wineries that would tempt the most jaded Angelino to pay a visit.

“Judy Schultze, wearing a sticker that read, 'I'm passionate about Pinot” poured the winery's two current releases - a 2002 blend and a 2001 estate vintage.  The blend tasted of the earth, in the way that the best French wines do. The 2001 estate was, as that 19th century reporter said, 'of a grade unlike any yet presented.'”

San Jose Mercury News, April 27, 2005 - Staff wine writer Laurie Daniel highlighted the unique qualities of wines from the Santa Cruz Mountains.

“It's [Windy Oaks Estate 2001 Estate Reserve Pinot Noir] a very pretty wine, with bright raspberry notes of vanilla and spice and supple texture.  The winery also has a less-expensive 2002 Estate Pinot Noir Blend that's lighter but a good value.”

Silicon Valley Metro News, April 20, 2005 - Writer Stett Holbrook recounts his adventures at Pinot Paradise, a pinot-only event in early April 2005 featuring pinots from Santa Cruz Mountain wineries.

“Some of the most noteworthy wineries I visited at the event were Windy Oaks Estate, whose 2001 pinot noir is fantastic...”

Santa Cruz County Sentinel, April 6, 2005 - In an article on Santa Cruz Mountain pinot noir, staff wine writer Max DeNike quotes extensively from Jim regarding our vineyard and winemaking techniques.

“But Schultze, like many makers of great pinot, doesn't compromise in any regard when he makes his wine.”