Byington Vineyard & Winery

About Byington Vineyard & Winery

Byington Vineyard & Winery is a premier Santa Cruz Mountains winery located high above Los Gatos at 2,000 feet elevation. Founded in 1987 by Bill and Mary Byington, the estate sits on 95 acres with panoramic views stretching from San Francisco Bay to Monterey Bay on clear days.

The winery specializes in cool-climate varietals suited to the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, focusing primarily on Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The estate vineyards benefit from the region’s unique terroir—cool maritime influence, high elevation, rocky soils, and significant day-to-night temperature swings that preserve natural acidity while developing flavor complexity.

Byington’s distinctive Italian villa-style winery building and manicured grounds have made it a sought-after wedding and special event venue in addition to its wine production. The property features both indoor and outdoor event spaces with sweeping mountain and valley views.

Visiting Information

Address & Location

Byington Vineyard & Winery
21850 Bear Creek Road
Los Gatos, CA 95033

Driving Directions: From Highway 17, take the Bear Creek Road exit and follow the winding mountain road approximately 4 miles up to the winery. The drive takes about 15-20 minutes from Highway 17. Note that Bear Creek Road is narrow and winding—drive carefully and watch for cyclists.

Distance from major areas:

• San Jose: 30 minutes
• Los Gatos downtown: 20 minutes
• Santa Cruz: 35 minutes
• San Francisco: 1 hour 15 minutes

Hours & Reservations

Tasting Room Hours:
Thursday – Sunday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Monday – Wednesday: Closed
Hours subject to change; reservations required

Reservation Policy: Byington Vineyard & Winery operates by appointment only. Reservations can be made online through their website or by calling the tasting room. Walk-ins may be accommodated if space is available, but reservations are strongly recommended, especially on weekends.

Contact Information:
Phone: (408) 354-1111
Email: info@byington.com
Website: www.byington.com

Tasting Room Experience

Tasting Options:

• Classic Tasting: Sample 5-6 current release wines ($25-30 per person, waived with purchase)
• Reserve Tasting: Premium and reserve wines ($40-50 per person)
• Private Tasting: Personalized tasting experience in private room (pricing varies, groups of 6+)
• Food Pairing: Cheese and charcuterie available for additional fee

Tasting Room Features:

• Indoor tasting bar with valley views
• Outdoor terrace seating (weather permitting)
• Panoramic viewing areas
• Picnic grounds (for wine club members and event guests)
• Photo opportunities throughout the property

Group Policy: Groups of 8 or more require special arrangements. Contact the winery in advance for large group tastings.

Wines Produced

Byington Vineyard & Winery produces approximately 8,000-10,000 cases annually, focusing on quality over quantity. Grapes are sourced from estate vineyards and select Santa Cruz Mountains vineyard partners.

Current Wine Portfolio

Red Wines:

• Pinot Noir – Estate and Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, flagship variety
• Cabernet Sauvignon – Napa Valley and Santa Cruz Mountains sources
• Merlot – Santa Cruz Mountains
• Syrah – Central Coast
• Zinfandel – Selected releases
• Reserve Reds – Limited production, estate vineyard selections

White Wines:

• Chardonnay – Estate, Santa Cruz Mountains, and Russian River Valley
• Sauvignon Blanc – Russian River Valley
• Pinot Gris – Select releases

Sparkling Wine:

• Sparkling Wine – Traditional method sparkling wine, limited availability

Pricing: Wines typically range from $25-40 for current releases, $50-80+ for reserve and limited production wines.

Wine Club

Byington offers wine club membership with regular shipments and member benefits:

Club Benefits:

• Quarterly wine shipments (customizable)
• 20-25% discount on all wine purchases
• Complimentary tastings for member and guests
• Access to limited production and library wines
• Priority access to events and releases
• Exclusive member events and pick-up parties
• Picnic grounds access

Contact the winery for current wine club membership details and pricing.

Event & Wedding Venue

Byington Vineyard & Winery is a popular wedding and special event venue in the Santa Cruz Mountains, known for its Italian villa-style architecture and panoramic mountain views.

Venue Features

Event Spaces:

• Villa Terrace: Outdoor ceremony and reception space with valley views
• Barrel Room: Indoor reception space surrounded by wine barrels
• Tasting Room: Available for smaller gatherings and receptions
• Gardens & Grounds: Manicured lawns and gardens for ceremonies and photos

Capacity:

• Outdoor ceremonies: Up to 200 guests
• Indoor reception: Up to 150 guests
• Combined indoor/outdoor: Up to 200 guests

Event Types:

• Weddings and receptions
• Corporate events and meetings
• Private parties and celebrations
• Rehearsal dinners
• Wine club member events

Wedding Services: Byington works with preferred vendors for catering, planning, florals, and other wedding services. The venue provides tables, chairs, and basic event infrastructure. Contact the events team for pricing, availability, and wedding package details.

Events Contact: events@byington.com or (408) 354-1111

Santa Cruz Mountains AVA

Byington Vineyard & Winery is located within the Santa Cruz Mountains American Viticultural Area (AVA), one of California’s most distinctive wine regions.

Regional Characteristics

Geography: The Santa Cruz Mountains AVA spans the coastal mountain range from Half Moon Bay south to Mount Madonna, covering parts of Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, and San Mateo counties. Elevations range from 400 to 2,600 feet above sea level.

Climate: Cool-climate region influenced by Pacific Ocean fog and maritime breezes. High elevation vineyards sit above the fog line, receiving intense sunlight during the day while benefiting from cool nights. Significant diurnal temperature variation (day-to-night swings of 40-50°F) preserves natural acidity.

Soils: Diverse soil types including Franciscan shale, sandstone, limestone, and volcanic soils. Rocky, well-drained soils force vines to struggle, concentrating flavors.

Signature Varietals: The Santa Cruz Mountains is particularly known for Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Cool-climate conditions favor elegant, balanced wines with natural acidity and refined tannins.

Other Notable Santa Cruz Mountains Wineries:

• Ridge Vineyards
• Mount Eden Vineyards
• Thomas Fogarty Winery
• Savannah-Chanelle Vineyards

Explore more Santa Cruz Mountains wineries.

Visitor Tips & FAQs

Planning Your Visit

Best Time to Visit: Spring (April-May) for blooming wildflowers and mild weather, or fall (September-October) during harvest season. Summer can be warm, winter may have rain. Clear days offer the best views.

What to Wear: Casual wine country attire. Layers recommended as temperature can vary with elevation. Comfortable walking shoes if exploring the grounds. The terrace and grounds may be warm in summer sun.

Duration: Plan 1-2 hours for a typical tasting room visit. Allow extra time if you want to explore the grounds, take photos, or enjoy a picnic (wine club members).

Accessibility: The winery has some accessible features, but the property includes uneven terrain and stairs in certain areas. Contact the winery in advance if you have specific accessibility needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need a reservation to visit Byington Winery?
A: Yes, reservations are required. Book online or call (408) 354-1111.

Q: How long is the drive from Los Gatos?
A: Approximately 15-20 minutes from downtown Los Gatos via winding mountain roads.

Q: Are children allowed?
A: Byington welcomes families, though the tasting room experience is adult-focused. Children must be supervised at all times. Call ahead for large family groups.

Q: Can I bring a picnic?
A: Picnic grounds are available for wine club members and event guests. Non-members should inquire about picnic availability when making reservations.

Q: Are dogs allowed?
A: Well-behaved, leashed dogs are typically welcome on the outdoor grounds but not inside the tasting room. Confirm current pet policy when booking.

Q: Is there a fee for wine tasting?
A: Yes, tasting fees range from $25-50 depending on the experience. Fees are typically waived with wine purchase (usually 2+ bottles).

Q: Can I purchase wine without a tasting?
A: Yes, wine is available for purchase online or at the tasting room without participating in a formal tasting.

Q: Does Byington ship wine?
A: Yes, Byington ships to most states where direct wine shipping is legal. Shipping restrictions apply to certain states.

Q: What are the views like?
A: On clear days, views extend from San Francisco Bay to Monterey Bay, with panoramic vistas of the Santa Clara Valley and surrounding mountains. The property sits at 2,000 feet elevation offering dramatic perspectives.

Q: Is Byington Winery good for weddings?
A: Yes, Byington is a popular wedding venue featuring Italian villa-style architecture, manicured grounds, and mountain views. Capacity up to 200 guests for combined indoor/outdoor events. Contact events team for availability and pricing.

History & Ownership

Winery History

Byington Vineyard & Winery was established in 1987 by Bill and Mary Byington, who purchased the 95-acre mountain property with a vision of creating a premier Santa Cruz Mountains estate winery. The Byingtons built the distinctive Italian villa-style winery and planted estate vineyards on the steep mountainside.

The winery’s elevation at 2,000 feet places it well above the fog line, providing ideal conditions for cool-climate varietals while offering unobstructed views of the surrounding valleys and bays. Over the decades, Byington became known for both wine quality and the property’s stunning event venue capabilities.

Current Ownership: Byington Vineyard & Winery continues operating as a family-oriented estate winery and events venue. The property has maintained its focus on Santa Cruz Mountains terroir-driven wines and hospitality.

Recognition & Awards

Byington wines have received recognition in regional and national wine competitions, particularly for estate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay bottlings. The winery has built a reputation for consistent quality in cool-climate varietals suited to Santa Cruz Mountains terroir.

Nearby Attractions

Combine your Byington Winery visit with other Santa Cruz Mountains and Los Gatos area attractions:

Nearby Wineries

• Savannah-Chanelle Vineyards – 5 minutes away, also features mountain views
• Testarossa Winery – 15 minutes, historic Novitiate building
• Cinnabar Winery – 20 minutes, estate wines and tasting room

Los Gatos Area

• Downtown Los Gatos: Dining, shopping, and wine bars (20 minutes downhill)
• Vasona Lake County Park: Walking trails, lake, picnicking (25 minutes)
• Old Town Los Gatos: Historic district with restaurants and boutiques

Santa Cruz Mountains

• Castle Rock State Park: Hiking trails with panoramic views (30 minutes)
• Highway 9 Scenic Drive: Winding mountain road through redwoods
• Santa Cruz: Beach town, boardwalk, pier (40 minutes)

Wine Shipping & Online Sales

Online Wine Shop: Byington wines are available for purchase through the winery’s website for direct shipping where legally permitted.

Shipping Information:

• Ships to most states where direct wine shipping is legal
• Shipping rates vary by location and order size
• Climate-controlled shipping available during extreme weather
• Wine club members receive discounted or complimentary shipping

States with Shipping Restrictions: Some states prohibit or restrict direct wine shipping. Check the winery website or contact them directly to confirm shipping availability to your state.

Order Contact: orders@byington.com or (408) 354-1111

Additional Resources

Social Media: Follow Byington Vineyard & Winery on social media for updates on events, new releases, and seasonal hours.

Newsletter: Sign up for the winery’s email newsletter to receive news about special releases, events, and promotions.

Website: Visit www.byington.com for current hours, reservation booking, wine purchases, and event information.

Note: Information on this directory page is updated periodically. Hours, pricing, and policies may change. Please contact Byington Vineyard & Winery directly or visit their website to confirm current details before planning your visit.

Last Updated: January 2025