We are firm believers at Cinnabar that a brand is only as good as its people and product. At our Tasting Room in Saratoga, our staff is warm, well-versed, and excited to talk about the remarkable process of winemaking. Ron was hired in June of 1983 to help clear Cinnabar's original property and plant the first Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes.
He had a hand in every aspect of Cinnabar's creation-from the construction of the winery to helping make the first barrels of Cabernet in 1986, which went on to receive 93 points from Robert Parker. He lived on Cinnabar's property, raised his family there, and managed the vineyards until the Mudd family sold them in 2007.
He had a hand in every aspect of Cinnabar's creation-from the construction of the winery to helping make the first barrels of Cabernet in 1986, which went on to receive 93 points from Robert Parker. He lived on Cinnabar's property, raised his family there, and managed the vineyards until the Mudd family sold them in 2007.
Services
Check out our latest releases, as well as previous vintages that age gracefully with every passing season. All handcrafted by the Alchemists, George Troquato and Alejandro Aldama, who have been making Cinnabar wines their magic touch for more than 25 years. Aromas of pineapple, citrus and honeysuckle.
Artisan cheeses, charcuterie, crackers, olives, and non-alcoholic beverages are available for purchase. No outside food allowed. Seating is available on a first come, first-serve basis, provided there is not a private event (tasting room may be closed to the public). There is NO outside food or alcohol allowed on the premises that has not been purchased or provided by Cinnabar Winery.
Cinnabar does not have a commercial kitchen or provide formal dining options, but guests may work with their caterer of choice to provide passed appetizers or buffet-style fare. Guests or caterers are required to provide plates, napkins, utensils, and glassware (or plastic cups) for non-alcoholic beverages.
Cinnabar's Alchemist Wine Society (AWS) reveres winemaking as a form of modern-day alchemy-the blending of science with a touch of nature's magic. Enjoy special access to pre-released Cinnabar wines in February, May, September, and November for AWS members only. Receive an exclusive invitation to our AWS Release Parties to celebrate the new wines during each release month.
Reviews (25)
Katie C.
Dec 04, 2021
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In town for Thanksgiving and staying with family nearby, my boyfriend and I decided to pop by the tasting room the day before Thanksgiving, about 39 minutes before closing. We loved a few of the wines, to our surprise, but were even more impressed with our by-chance chat and time with Ron, the owner and vintner. He was down to earth, engaging, and gave us a smokin deal on a few bottles (which we bought having not tried them). We know our wine and what we like. After trying a bottle and being happily floored, we planned to go back and considered getting a few mixed cases of the '18 SLH Pinot
Suzan Sander
Dec 04, 2021
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John Huan V.
Nov 22, 2021
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If you found my review helpful, please like it 👍🏼. I will confess that the wines and atmosphere caused me to give them 5/5 stars. I love wine and their wines are overall good. There are some "okay" wines but not any were horrible. I especially love their Syrah wine because it was delicious! Caution - they are usually packed so come early if you can.
Amanda B.
Oct 30, 2021
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The poorest wine tasting experience I've ever had. Despite the tasting room not being busy at all, we were not given ANY information about the wines. One of thEe wines on the list did not tell the wine style in the name, and when the lady poured it, she didn't even bother to tell me what the blend was. The 2 women working there stood about and chatted and made no effort to talk about the wines we were tasting, and seemed unknowledgeable or didn't care. The glasses they use for tasting are small, thick walled glasses and felt really cheap, not the nice glasses with their logo on it
Scotty J. Retro Geek
Aug 14, 2021
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Rachel M.
Jul 03, 2021
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We went in for a wine tasting today. The waitress could not spare more than 2 sentences to describe the wine we were tasting. The only full sentence was at the end when they asked if we would like to purchase more bottles.
The wine itself was okay but it would have been a much better experience to just sit on the patio outside.
The wine itself was okay but it would have been a much better experience to just sit on the patio outside.
Amy L.
Apr 27, 2021
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I made a reservation this past weekend for a friend's birthday out on the patio. Make sure to call and reserve since it gets relatively busy on Saturdays and Sundays!
At the moment, Cinnabar doesn't offer any tastings due to COVID, but sell by the glass and bottle. That was fine with us as we just wanted a spot to hang and drink together. We ended up ordering a bottle of their chardonnay and a charcuterie to go with it--we thought it was super pricey at first but the portions are really huge. Everything is pretty reasonably priced for the area.
Service is good--the attendants don&apos
At the moment, Cinnabar doesn't offer any tastings due to COVID, but sell by the glass and bottle. That was fine with us as we just wanted a spot to hang and drink together. We ended up ordering a bottle of their chardonnay and a charcuterie to go with it--we thought it was super pricey at first but the portions are really huge. Everything is pretty reasonably priced for the area.
Service is good--the attendants don&apos
Micheal T.
Mar 26, 2021
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So disappointed that they are not doing g tastings here - absolutely no logical reason except that the owners are enjoying making money off all the single glasses sold. All other wineries are doing tastings. Wine is excellent but not happy with no tastings .... I would have spent a lot more money if I could have tasted the wine.
Natalie B.
Nov 30, 2020
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Katie R.
Oct 14, 2020
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I love coming to cinnabar! It's in a convenient location that is easy to get to and find nearby parking, and it has a very quaint outdoor seating area. The wines here are fantastic and reasonably priced. They even offer refillable growlers. It is a fun place to come for a tasting or to enjoy a bottle with some friends. The only reason it isn't 5 stars for me is that the service can be hit or miss. Some people who work there are extremely friendly and attentive, whiuc is usually the case, but once in a while you'll get someone who couldn't really care less that you are there
Baxter Oster
Jan 29, 2020
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Lisa Kennedy
Jan 25, 2020
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We arrived just before the "busy hour" of 4:30p and received great help from Shannon - the tasting room manager. Good wines to taste, we especially liked the Pinot. And they have growlers available that can accommodate 2.5 bottles of their red blend, which is quite tasty. We plan to stop by and grab some before our next party - we think it will be a hit!
Breanna E.
Jan 20, 2020
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I have been here a few times and have always had great service. I love the tastings and there is a nice assortment of cheeses, crackers, meats and other to choose from. This last time we were served by Minal who was super friendly and has a lot of knowledge about Cinnabar's wines and wine facts in general! She helped me sign up to be a member which I have been wanting to do for awhile now and it was very easy. Thank you Cinnabar staff and wine makers for the service and wonderful wine! I am looking forward to have my shipments come in each month!
Monica J.
Nov 03, 2019
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Came here yesterday for a glass of wine. It's in a great location in the downtown. Wine glasses range from $13-16 and if you're getting more than two glasses, just opt for a bottle cuz the priciest bottle was about $42.
I thought the wine was pretty good and the pours were really large, which was nice.
There were two loud groups on the patio which really made it hard to enjoy. The louder group was just getting drinker by the second and talked Soo loud. I think if they were quieter, we would have enjoyed the place more.
I may come come again but I'm more partial to Paso, Sonoma
I thought the wine was pretty good and the pours were really large, which was nice.
There were two loud groups on the patio which really made it hard to enjoy. The louder group was just getting drinker by the second and talked Soo loud. I think if they were quieter, we would have enjoyed the place more.
I may come come again but I'm more partial to Paso, Sonoma
Daquari P.
Sep 01, 2019
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Megan Carroll Allende
Aug 17, 2019
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Andrea M.
Aug 04, 2019
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Michael S.
Jul 15, 2019
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One of the best places I've been too in the Silicon Valley since coming here here on assignment.
Great staff , let me say that twice GREAT staff , made the experience fun and had good knowledge of the wines.
Taste testing is reasonable and by the bottle was great
Thank you for perfect experience !
Will be back for sure
Great staff , let me say that twice GREAT staff , made the experience fun and had good knowledge of the wines.
Taste testing is reasonable and by the bottle was great
Thank you for perfect experience !
Will be back for sure
Julie S.
Mar 10, 2019
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Lovely wine tasting experience at Cinnabar Tasting Room. It was my first experience here and I really enjoyed myself. The tastings are $15 but free for members, and we got to taste five different wines (two whites and three reds). The very nice server also let me taste the special members only pour. She said they have music on the patios Sunday afternoons starting in spring and also they change the tasting menu every few weeks. They don't serve food but they do sell some salamis and cheeses that you can eat at a table. A very enjoyable experience!
Melissa L.
Sep 09, 2018
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Chris Bartlow
Jun 06, 2018
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Karen Cheung
Oct 02, 2017
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JoAnn Y.
May 30, 2017
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Charming location in downtown Saratoga which is a pleasant stroll among other restaurants and shops. The tasting room is clean and equally charming. The tasting flight was 2 Chardonnay, the house wine, and two Cabernet. Too peppery in my opinion, lacking in variety, and poorly matched.
The staff was overly snooty in my opinion and far too pretentious even if the wine was above board, which it was not. Come for the ambiance, but don't expect smiles or warmth.
The staff was overly snooty in my opinion and far too pretentious even if the wine was above board, which it was not. Come for the ambiance, but don't expect smiles or warmth.
Jodi H.
Jun 08, 2016
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Beautiful space with classy service and an air-conditioned tasting room on a lazy Monday afternoon!
I love how spacious this space is for such a small space...the layout and the beautiful portraits of vineyard landscapes really make this area bright and beautiful. Their wood floors are classy and I love that they also had two of their wines on tap and not by the bottle. That was quite an interesting observation.
Throughout the tasting, we all agreed that the 2014 Chardonnay was the best wine out of all choices. At the end, we purchased a bottle of their crisp Chardonnay and split it among six
I love how spacious this space is for such a small space...the layout and the beautiful portraits of vineyard landscapes really make this area bright and beautiful. Their wood floors are classy and I love that they also had two of their wines on tap and not by the bottle. That was quite an interesting observation.
Throughout the tasting, we all agreed that the 2014 Chardonnay was the best wine out of all choices. At the end, we purchased a bottle of their crisp Chardonnay and split it among six
Janet D.
Sep 22, 2014
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What an awesome place! This sits in the restaurant row in Saratoga a few steps away from my current discovery The Basin.
As with most establishment here look for a house with a sign that says Wine Tasting. On Fridays you will find the outside patio just loaded with happy people and live music. Contagious, fun, happy people. Music does that to people. Add some generous wine pours and it's happy time!
Adam and I both tried their Tempranillo. $11/glass. Generous pour and is quite fruity. Perfect for my mood that day.
The band Hootenanny was playing awesome songs that was getting some people
As with most establishment here look for a house with a sign that says Wine Tasting. On Fridays you will find the outside patio just loaded with happy people and live music. Contagious, fun, happy people. Music does that to people. Add some generous wine pours and it's happy time!
Adam and I both tried their Tempranillo. $11/glass. Generous pour and is quite fruity. Perfect for my mood that day.
The band Hootenanny was playing awesome songs that was getting some people
