Birichino Winery Tasting Room - Santa Cruz, California

Idris L.

Look no further, dear wine devotee,
For grapes with a hint of tomfoolery.
Alex and John had a brilliant scheme:
"Let’s bottle a wine that behaves like a dream."

They searched for old vines with roots running deep,

(Some planted while disco refused to sleep).

From Santa Cruz fog to European flair,
They found grapes with stories—and questionable hair.

No filters! No fluff! No winemaker ego!
Just barrels and grapes doing wild ferment-dance-tango.

No need to fine, no need to rack,
Just swirl it around and never look back.

It’s wine with perfume, and poise—and a wink,
A splash of rebellion you’ll want to re-drink.
With every pour, it’s sass meets soul,
Like a Grenache that TikToks without self-control.

And sitting cool, as smooth as can be,
Is Larry the Whisperer, our bar-side VIP.

He doesn’t pour, he doesn’t sell,
But he’s got one request he’s sworn to tell:

“Love the wine? Here’s the trick—don’t be a stranger!

Leave a Google review—Larry’s the Whisperer!”
He leans in close, conspiratorial and sly,
“Helps the winery—and gives me a reason to spy.”

So here’s to Birichino, cheeky and bright—
The wine that high-fives your tongue every night.
Serious craft with a not-so-serious spin—
Because joy, like good wine, should come from within.

Jacqueline W.

Loved everything about this place from the wine and ambiance to the crosswords and staff. Will definitely be back and looking forward to the outdoor seating in the works

Kat L.

This tiny bohemian tasting room is comfortable, unpretentious, and cute. It’s overflowing with green plants, sunlight, and interesting textiles. The atmosphere is casual and intimate and even on a week day afternoon, it’s full of chatter.
The people who work there are friendly. Tastings are only $15 for three pours. You can choose between rose, white, or reds. I went with the red and they were all unique, pleasant, and easy drinking. It makes a really nice day out to grab lunch in downtown Santa Cruz, chat with a friend over a tasting, then take a walk on the beach. I would definitely go back!

Gabriel M.

Nice wine tasting room in downtown Santa Cruz with a number of interesting varietals from all over California. There are sparkling, whites, rosés, and reds to choose from. Tasting flights consist of 3 varietals each, grouped by sparkling, mixed (whites, rosés, and reds), and only reds. Wine by the glass is available for consumption on premises, but not bottles. Indoor and outdoor tasting is available. Reservations are not required.

Stan J.

Just a wonderful time popping into this pleasant cozy establishment and enjoying some sips. It is a “tasting room” setup, specializing in “flights”, but can accommodate a little off the main fare if the tasting selection is not to your preference. But again, it is a tasting setup, not a wine bar, so the amount is limited & bottles available for purchase (at a reasonable price I might add) cannot be consumed on premises. So if you find yourself shopping downtown and want to get off you feet for a little while and enjoy a nice selection of wine for tasting, walk a couple blocks over from Pacific on Church and I’m sure you’ll enjoy their selection and the friendly staff.

Geoff W.

This is a cute little tasting room off of downtown. The wine is very tasty

KilnGod

Wines with a lighter European flare! We've been visiting since Birichino opened in Santa Cruz. Birichino had consistent quality in their wine making, always a pleasure to visit.

Patrick P.

Excellent experience, excellent wines! Left with a few favorites. I will definitely be back to visit again.