At Roudon-Smith, we specialize in the making of fine wines as well as the enjoyment of taking on new challenges. With this spirit, we are constantly striving to find something we see as providing promise with keeping to mind that consistency is important. We will be highlighting on this site what we do to keep consistency alive as well as our creative spirit.
Every year we again look deeper, trying to find grapes that bring out why we love making wine. In this constant quest, we find some exceptional grapes that make exceptional wines and will offer these often on our web site. We will describe how we found this fruit, why we felt it provided so much promise and if we plan to continue making this wine and why.
Every year we again look deeper, trying to find grapes that bring out why we love making wine. In this constant quest, we find some exceptional grapes that make exceptional wines and will offer these often on our web site. We will describe how we found this fruit, why we felt it provided so much promise and if we plan to continue making this wine and why.
Services
Bob and Anna-Maria Roudon, and Jim and June Smith initially founded Roudon Smith Winery in 1972. The Roudons conceived the original dream as a radical lifestyle change, when they moved to the Bay Area in the early 1970's.
Roudon met engineer Jim Smith in the early days of the growing computer industry while working together at Silicon Valley's Amdahl and began sharing his plans for a small winery to be established in the nearby Santa Cruz Mountains.Dreams soon led to action. In the spring of 1972 the two engineers purchased vineyard land high up in the mountains and began to juggle winemaking with their "day jobs".
Roudon met engineer Jim Smith in the early days of the growing computer industry while working together at Silicon Valley's Amdahl and began sharing his plans for a small winery to be established in the nearby Santa Cruz Mountains.Dreams soon led to action. In the spring of 1972 the two engineers purchased vineyard land high up in the mountains and began to juggle winemaking with their "day jobs".
Reviews (14)
Lisa M.
Jan 09, 2022
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We had a great winter tasting on their patio. Friendly staff, great history gorgeous views over the santa cruz mountains, and lovely wines. They let us picnic during our tasting. We bought some great pinots (which cancelled the tasting fee) but seriously considered a merlot as well. Probably should've bought it....
David A.
Jul 21, 2021
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Lychelle I.
Apr 20, 2021
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My husband and I came here after visiting Hakone Gardens earlier in the afternoon. It's located in downtown Saratoga and we were able to find free parking behind the tasting room.
Seating is available indoors or outdoors, although if I remember correctly, indoors there is only one maybe two small tables with chairs and the rest of the seating would be at the bar itself. We chose to sit outdoors under the pop up tent they have set up and there was one other couple there besides us so plenty of distance between our parties.
Tastings are $10 and their selection changes based on what they
Seating is available indoors or outdoors, although if I remember correctly, indoors there is only one maybe two small tables with chairs and the rest of the seating would be at the bar itself. We chose to sit outdoors under the pop up tent they have set up and there was one other couple there besides us so plenty of distance between our parties.
Tastings are $10 and their selection changes based on what they
Natalie M.
Feb 23, 2021
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This was a fun tasting experience! They have 3 high top tables outside during this time. The wine tasting is $10 for 6 tastings.
We tried a grenache blanc, chardonnay, pinot noir, tempranillo, a duet blend and a syrah. My favorites were the grenache blanc and syrah!
The flavors of the syrah were bold and full bodied. I was pleasantly surprised with the grenache blanc because I am not that fond of whites overall but this was delicious and smooth. I liked the environment but would have loved an explanation of the different wines. It definitely makes the experience more personal and fun. At times
We tried a grenache blanc, chardonnay, pinot noir, tempranillo, a duet blend and a syrah. My favorites were the grenache blanc and syrah!
The flavors of the syrah were bold and full bodied. I was pleasantly surprised with the grenache blanc because I am not that fond of whites overall but this was delicious and smooth. I liked the environment but would have loved an explanation of the different wines. It definitely makes the experience more personal and fun. At times
Delaynie K.
Sep 08, 2020
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An amazing wine tasting experience without having to drive up into the hills (some days I don't want to feel car sick!). Downtown Saratoga is adorable and Roudon-Smith is always our favorite place to go on the main drag. The tasting menu is always rotating with new selections, making it a new experience every time. Al has adapted to COVID with an awesome outdoor setup providing shade, stools and a safe tasting experience. The deals here really can't be beat -- if you like buying wine by the case, you will definitely be tempted here! Tastings are $10 and are waived with the price of two
Sofia S.
Jan 27, 2020
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We had a great experience at Roudon-Smith Tasting Room. $10 to taste 7 wines was a great deal for the excellent quality. The tasting fee was waived with our purchase of a case of 2007 Syrah for $96. Again, great deal for the excellent quality.
The owner was very friendly, and spent time with us explaining the tasting notes of each wine, the process to make it, and even how he came to be in the wine business himself.
Can't recommend this gem enough!
The owner was very friendly, and spent time with us explaining the tasting notes of each wine, the process to make it, and even how he came to be in the wine business himself.
Can't recommend this gem enough!
Cindi M.
Aug 14, 2010
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Michael R.
Feb 15, 2010
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1-star for the lowest ranking possible, one more star for the affection I feel for the place being 3 miles from my house.
I bought a few cases of their 2005 Pinot, the sediment inside the bottle and corks, bottom of the glass when finished, isn't a sign of a rustic, organic, earthy wine, it's unrefined and unsettled. How long are you storing the wine before bottling? Most wineries prevent this by putting into temporary tanks - it will settle to the bottom.
You drive all over France and Italy having homemade, family/farm wines for $5-6/a bottle, you come here, and a very average
I bought a few cases of their 2005 Pinot, the sediment inside the bottle and corks, bottom of the glass when finished, isn't a sign of a rustic, organic, earthy wine, it's unrefined and unsettled. How long are you storing the wine before bottling? Most wineries prevent this by putting into temporary tanks - it will settle to the bottom.
You drive all over France and Italy having homemade, family/farm wines for $5-6/a bottle, you come here, and a very average
Kevan M.
Aug 23, 2009
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Roudon-Smith offers some fairly tasty wines: VERY fruit-forward and almost sweet. Overall, the wines were enjoyable but I didn't love them. I think this would be a good stop for those who are in the process of acquiring a taste for wine. The service was excellent. Our pourer was friendly, attentive, and helpful. The tasting room and grounds were comfortable and scenic. You're tasting in a wooded area deep in the mountains. Locals were trickling in periodically and striking up friendly conversation. Very pleasant!
Ryan W.
Aug 22, 2009
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You have to go to the winery and have a wine tasting. I have been to quite a few local wineries and I found this one to be the most pleasant out of them all. It is in a beautiful area and the wines are so lovely. My favorite is the Claret. It is a wonderful red so give it a try. Every once in a while I will see it at New Leaf so if you see it you got to get a bottle.
Update:
So I went back to this winery to get some wine before shoving off for the east coast. I was going to stay with my Aunts boyfriend who is Italian and grew up on a massive vineyard. He had given me the task of bringing a bottle
Update:
So I went back to this winery to get some wine before shoving off for the east coast. I was going to stay with my Aunts boyfriend who is Italian and grew up on a massive vineyard. He had given me the task of bringing a bottle
Dora C.
Mar 14, 2009
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Tracy A.
Apr 20, 2008
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Our first stop on our Passport tour yesterday. First off, they had the best spread of food out of all the wineries we have visted to date. They actually hired a real wine/cheese pairing expert and it totally added to the experience. We tried the following:
'07 Sauvingnon Blanc - YUM! We brought home a bottle of this one.
'06 Chardonnay from Santa Cruz Mountains - not so much
'06 Chardonnay from Russian River - Good
'07 Syrah Rose - very tart
Claret with Syrah, Zin, and Merlot - too much Merlot for my taste
'05 Duet - smelled like bourbon
'05 Cab - Yum!
'07 Sauvingnon Blanc - YUM! We brought home a bottle of this one.
'06 Chardonnay from Santa Cruz Mountains - not so much
'06 Chardonnay from Russian River - Good
'07 Syrah Rose - very tart
Claret with Syrah, Zin, and Merlot - too much Merlot for my taste
'05 Duet - smelled like bourbon
'05 Cab - Yum!
Pumpkin K.
Mar 18, 2008
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Things Roudon Smith is great for:
-- A great wine club, either "Winery Choice" or "Reds Only" and whatever wines you get in yur shipment, you can buy more of (for a limited time) for 30% off.
-- For playing winery tour guide: a small winery that is not too far off the beaten path, only 5-10 minutes up Bean Creek Road. It's small so call ahead if you have a big group.
-Special events: sign up for their email list so you can find out about the Valentine's Day Wine and Chocolate Pairing as well as the St Pat's Day Wine and Cheese Pairing and lots of other
-- A great wine club, either "Winery Choice" or "Reds Only" and whatever wines you get in yur shipment, you can buy more of (for a limited time) for 30% off.
-- For playing winery tour guide: a small winery that is not too far off the beaten path, only 5-10 minutes up Bean Creek Road. It's small so call ahead if you have a big group.
-Special events: sign up for their email list so you can find out about the Valentine's Day Wine and Chocolate Pairing as well as the St Pat's Day Wine and Cheese Pairing and lots of other
Mimi S.
May 01, 2007
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In the land of clunky, over-alcohol'ed, raw, young, stringent, too thin/too flabby wines - Roudon-Smith is doing a great job.
They have several versions of each varietal so they can be everything to everybody and it works. The Russian River Chardonnay was too creamy vanilla for me. But the Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay was just what mama likes: crisp, lean and fruit forward.
Sit outside at a table under a groves of trees, listen to the wind and let Annette pour some wine for you. Heaven.
They have several versions of each varietal so they can be everything to everybody and it works. The Russian River Chardonnay was too creamy vanilla for me. But the Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay was just what mama likes: crisp, lean and fruit forward.
Sit outside at a table under a groves of trees, listen to the wind and let Annette pour some wine for you. Heaven.
