Thomas Fogarty Winery

Woodside, United States

4.1

Closed now

20 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards

Contacts

QR code, vCard

Telephone:
+1 650-851-6777
Website:
www.fogartywinery.com
Address:
19501 Skyline Blvd, Woodside, CA, 94062
Categories:
QR code
Download QR Image Download vCard

Map

Streetview

Activate map

Bussiness info

Take-out
No
Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Parking
Private Lot
Bike Parking
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes
Good for Kids
No
By Appointment Only
No

Today

Today 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Closed now
Local time (Woodside) 18:03 Thursday, 26 June 2025

Business hours

Monday 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Tuesday –
Wednesday 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Thursday 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday 11:00 am – 5:00 pm

Description

Specialties

Producing very small quantities of mostly Estate-​grown wines, Thomas Fogarty was established in 1981 with the specific goal of making top quality Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the rocky soils of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Today that goal has been accomplished and the winery produces several more varietals (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Nebbiolo) from our «Gist Ranch» vineyard we established 13 years ago. While our tasting room is geared toward serious wine enthusiasts we pride ourselves on our knowledge and we love to teach less experienced tasters about wine. Our «Signature Tasting» lets guests try our very small production (sometimes less than 30 cases) single-​vineyard wines. Many of these wines are rated 95 and above and are not available outside our tasting room to non-​wine club members.

History

Established in 1981.

Thomas Fogarty Winery was founded in 1978 by inventor Dr. Thomas Fogarty and winemaker Michael Martella. Dr Fogarty’s penchant for innovative thought and Martella’s viticulture instincts allowed them to lead the development of the cool Skyline Ridge area; true pioneers in one of California’s première Pinot Noir and Chardonnay regions. Today this area boasts the most prestigious planting of these two varieties in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

With the Estate vineyards planted on unadulterated natural soils and farmed with respect for the environmental health of the soils micro organisms, Winemakers Michael Martella and Nathan Kandler take a non– intervening, light handed approach to their winemaking. The expression of terroir is farther enhanced by taking advantage of native yeast fermentations, non filtration, along with a prudent use of oak.

Meet the Business Owner

Fogarty Family T.

Business Owner

The Thomas Fogarty Winery was founded by Dr Thomas Fogarty and Winemaker Michael Martella. Today it is owned and managed by the Fogarty Family with the goal of producing wines of the highest quality and conscientious stewardship of the approximately 400 mostly wild acres of land the winery and vineyards sit upon in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Related places

You might also like:
2.2
mi
Portola Vineyards
850 Los Trancos Rd
2.6
mi
Alpine Hills Tennis & Swimming Club
4139 Alpine Rd
3.2
mi
Family Farm
1400 Portola Rd
3.4
mi
Clos de la Tech
3.8
mi
Wedgewood Eagle Ridge
2951 Club Dr
3.9
mi
Mountain Terrace
17285 Skyline Blvd

Nearby

Near this location:
1
mi
Mountain View Handyman: Roberto Santos
2062 San Ramone Ave
1.1
mi
Howard Bankston & Post Design
127 Lake Rd
1.1
mi
Kathy Banks’ Woodside Puppy Palace
115 Rocky Creek Rd
1.2
mi
Magozzi Yoga
330 Old Spanish Trl
1.2
mi
Villa Lauriston
5050 Alpine Rd
1.3
mi
Lawnkeepers Landscape Management Systems
167 Ramona Rd

20 reviews of Thomas Fogarty Winery

No registration required
Place rating: 4
San Mateo, CA
A nice winery which makes quality wine. This winery is along the woodside/​skyline 35 area. Loved their Pinot Noir (less tannic with at the same time not too fruit forward). Syrah was great and so was their Meritage. Would definitely go back again to try their other flights.
Place rating: 5
San Francisco, CA
Ryan was the best! He was very knowledgeable and made the experience special, definitely coming back to this hidden gem.
Place rating: 5
Fullerton, CA
I got in before the the afternoon crowds and had the pleasure of going through my flight with Mike as my pourer, who provided great explanations and history about each of the wines. I bought a bottle of the 2012 Langley Hill Chardonnay and the 2008 Lexington Meritage, a blend of Bordeaux varietals. All the wines were fantastic and the wines I bought, I felt they were some of the best of those varietals I had ever had. The word legendary comes to mind and I am already excited about opening them.
Place rating: 4
San Mateo, CA
Went here for a wedding in August. This winery is beautiful and has picturesque views, but the location is a challenge. For this reason I am docking it one star. We had a really difficult time finding the venue. Google maps did not recognize the address for this location. It was quite frustrating and had we not left WELL in advance we would have missed the wedding because it was so hard to find. That set aside, it is a great place.
There is a beautiful patio overlooking the vineyard. It was an unusually hot day when we went for the wedding so the fact that the patio was covered made it more bearable. The wines that were served here were good. Did not knock our socks off, but they weren’t bad either. The indoor seating area/​tasting room is full of Windows allowing you to still take in the gorgeous view. Staff were friendly and attentive during the event.
Overall, a great place for a wedding and a romantic place to visit with your special someone.
Place rating: 4
Houston, TX
Wines were good and the staff was great.
Place rating: 5
Rockville, MD
This is a review for both the wine and the venue. My wife and I got married here in early September. Maybe we were just lucky, but every time we’ve been here, we had stunning vistas of the entire Bay Area. The venue had an amazing pavilion that we used for dinner, and the Hill House is perfect for dancing. There is no better venue in the Bay if you want an outdoor wedding with a California winery setting, we looked exhaustively.
The wines we chose were fantastic as well. The white was a 2012 Gewürztraminer. Was not nearly as sweet as we would have guessed — and our guests destroyed all of it, along with the 2009 Cab Franc and sparkling wine.
Last but not least, Becky and her time were amazing from Day 1 through the wedding day.
Place rating: 3
Atherton, CA
2011 Chardonnay — refreshing and smooth.
20 111 estate chard — not as impressive
2013 satsum Chardonnay — served warm orange flavor didn’t care Val liked
2012 Gewurtztraminer — excellent nose, dry white excellent
$ 22
2014 Pinot rose $ 40 — 3*
2012 estate Pinot razorback — seemed earthy $ 70
2009 estate Syrah fat buck ridge — big nose, licorice pepper 4* — only made till 2010 then made nebbiola
2008 Lexington meritage– big nose Fon says smells like Gouda licorice almost sweet — some tannins
2012 raptly Pinot — bad!!!
2012 Pinot — earthy — best Pinot
2012 cab franc — strong nose 2* unfortunately
2008 merlot — strong nose for Merlot heavy and spicey $ 34
2009 merlot — $ 35 little less nose and a little Tania surprisingly.
2008 Gewurtztraminer — hazy orange sickly sweet not syrup didn’t like
Place rating: 3
San Carlos, CA
Friendly and knowledgeable staff, and I love the Santa Cruz Mountains and its wines. Thomas Fogarty’s is no exception. But I didn’t like that tasting fees were more than any I’ve ever paid in Napa, Sonoma, the Central Coast or up north. Two different tastings, for around $ 14 and $ 18. And until your purchase reaches $ 100, you don’t get any of that back.
Something to think about before you make the trek up there. My hope is that it helps fund Dr. Fogarty’s ongoing medical-​innovation efforts:
.
Place rating: 4
Redwood City, CA
This is a great little spot — a small selection of wines to try (but all are good) — and the tasting is reasonably priced (less than $ 20 per person for 5 wines). The bottles themselves are good but a bit pricey — e.g. $ 60 for a Chardonnay. The Lexington line is amazing — the Cab was one of the best I’ve ever had! So good that I got the membership :)
The views are also gorgeous — if they have a wedding on site that day you won’t be able to access the gardens, so call ahead to check (esp on a Friday or Saturday). Also if you like to eat nibbles while you drink, bring them and sit outside at one of the tables to enjoy, as there’s no food in the tasting room.
Worth a visit!
Place rating: 4
San Francisco, CA
Little over a year ago, i had a chance to taste my first Gewürztraminer at Marlowe, a bottle from TF which at the time, i did not know. Shortly after that, i travelled to Rome and had another chance to taste another bottle of Gewurz. Needless to say, it was instant connection. This past wknd, finally made it out to visit TF, which is a short distance from Alice’s on the mountains. Took maybe 45min to get there from the city. Boy, have i ever seen a more prettier winery scenery. Ahhhhhhh! Wine tasting of course was superb ($ 12 or $ 15) accompanied by two friendly staff, get another glass and just sit outside. Calm cool air and warmth of the sun. When you are done, make sure to walk up to the event sites, since there were no event going on that Sunday, you can scoop around the property. It is just paradise… go smell the crisp air and see a touch of nature.
Place rating: 4
Los Angeles, CA
An actual winery, with a tasting room. We got both tasting menus, but we liked the local one much better. The person working there seemed pretty knowledgeable, but they should add some snacks to their tasting menu.
Pretty picturesque, I wish we had come here a little earlier or later in the year, so that I could actually take pictures of the grapes :(
Place rating: 5
Woodside, CA
There’s nothing like a good visit to a great winery to start the winter season off right. Come for the wines but stay for the scenery! If you head right for the tasting room to sample the excellent 2012 releases and brand new Lexington line of Bordeaux reds, you’d miss seeing the estate Chardonnay vineyards in deep green winter depths. With a little fog, a little sun, and just the right amount of early afternoon light, the vineyards are stunningly beautiful, almost hypnotic even:
Something about the leafless vines, the meticulous trellis systems, and the emerging green cover crops promises the start of a new and exciting growing season. While it’s great to see things in summer or fall, I love winter winery visits. The winemakers are relaxed, the new vintage is aging in stainless steel or barrel while undergoing secondary fermentation, the current releases haven’t been sold out yet, and the wedding and summer tourist crowds are not around to disturb the peace and stillness of grape vines rooting, recharging, and fortifying themselves for another burst of flowering and fruiting.
Part of why places like Fogarty are such good ones to visit is not just the outstanding and consistent wines available, but also the incredible access to the grounds with great vineyard views and far beyond to the Santa Clara valley and East Bay hills. You can’t see the whole estate, by any means, but what you can observe from the entrance road and outdoor deck is pretty impressive and truly showcases the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA quite nicely. It’s too cold and exposed a place for warmer-​loving grapes to ripen, but boy you’d just love to be a Burgundy grape here. At least I would, if I were a grape.
If you’ve never seen a winery and vineyard in winter, you owe it to yourself to make a stop to see how beautiful dormant vines can be. That and a few good sips of wine, of course. Hard to find a better or more festive way to celebrate the end of the year than that.
Place rating: 4
South Bay, CA
My friends got married here. Good to know such a picturesque place exists not so far away from me. Combine this as a destination with a drive on skyline, it makes for a perfect day. The wines im a bit on the fence about. Some i like some i dont. However with an ambiance like this it’s sometimes easy to be swayed.
Place rating: 4
Mountain View, CA
First time visiting.
The $ 75 Pinot Noir was very good: from scent, swish, savor — to the inner sanctum, then the cigarette.
Imho, the Cabernet Franc was as described, both smooth and easy to drink; was told it’s very popular.
We did the tasting selection. The people who pour the wines are quite knowledgeable and fun to listen to.
By the way, it’s permissable to pack a mini lunch and sit down at one of the outside tables.
Be sure to walk around the upper area; there are some stellar views and choices for wedding pictures, etc.
They do have private wine tastings from time to time, so be on the lookout for the signs that are posted.
Parking: ok, can get tight. There is a steep uphill walk, may not be good for wheel chair or walkers.
Tip: when you drive up Page Mill road from the 280, you turn right on Skyline. Then look on your right for Thomas Fogarty Winery signs.
Place rating: 4
San Mateo, CA
Just officiated a wedding here last night and the location is BEAUTIFUL! The pictures the wedding party took afterwards were spectacular.
I love the site where the ceremony was and after we transitioned to an amazing location for the dinner. The dinner also had a great view!
The food they served was great (I’m
Not sure if a cater came or there is an onsite team)
I would give the place five stars if they had more restrooms. There were lines all night long. They only have two restrooms so be prepared if you plan on getting married here.
Place rating: 3
Providence, RI
I did not really enjoy my experience here. The tasting room had about four groups of people in it, and two staff members providing tastings. My partner and I were pretty ignored. One of the staff members seemed to be much more talkative and involved, showing his groups the bottles, describing the wines, etc. – ours simply poured and walked away. I guess we didn’t look like we had the $$$ to spend on the nicer bottles.
After the long, windy drive up here, I would’ve hoped for a more special experience. Alas. I did, however, enjoy the wines, especially the single varietal chardonnay.
Place rating: 3
San Francisco, CA
We actually drove all the way to the area to go to Mountain Winery but they had an event, so ended up going to Thomas Fogarty instead.
Its a little winery with a very nice setting, its not a very large winery but a good place to hang out and chat. We got the 2008 Merlot, 2011, Estate Pino Noir (Santa Cruz) and the 2010 Chardonnay. The Merlot was my favorite here, I was not impressed by the Pino at all.
They also had a wedding here, the day we were here. I think this is more of an event place and not necessarily wine tasting.
The people/​service was nice.
Place rating: 5
San Francisco, CA
A fantastic alternative to Napa Valley for Peninsula and South Bay residents/​visitors. They offer an open tasting room with a $ 12 and $ 15 offering (as of Aug 2014), up from $ 6 and $ 12 back in 2008. The tasting is waived if you spend over $ 100 on bottles or if you join their wine club. They also have an extensive event center, perfect for weddings, parties, or corporate events.
Gorgeous views, though only if you are able to explore the private event grounds, which are often closed for, you guessed it, private events. Call ahead to ask if they are open.
Wines are very good and quite unique. The Santa Cruz mountains lend themselves to a more earthy, mineral-​rich wine. The Chardonnay is much crisper and more acidic than it’s Napa counterpart, and the «orange wine» is a unique treat that resembles flat cider or beer. It wasn’t my favorite, but it’s a nice change of pace and something unique. I highly recommend spending the extra $ 3 for the Signature Tasting, which includes a the orange wine and the Barbera is a very complex wine and a steal at about $ 30/​bottle.
My only gripe was lack of food. It’s definitely in the middle of no-​where, which makes for a nice drive — but don’t come hungry!
I’ll definitely be back!
Place rating: 3
San Mateo, CA
What a stunning vista! This is a great find on top of Skyline Blvd. It is out of the trees so you get amazing views. They have a little parking lot at the bottom of a hill. You then walk up to get to the little tasting room. You walk in through double doors and past the huge wine vats to get to it. I had the impression that most people in the tasting room frequent the tasting room often. We enjoyed a short tasting of their wines which were good. Doesn’t quite compete with my Sonoma favorites, but a lot of people seemed to really enjoy it. This is a stunning event location. They have several nice options for events. The style is very streamlined and simple. The drive there, parking, difficult walking terrain and the lack of unique features sent us elsewhere, but its a good option for anyone looking for something simple.
Place rating: 5
Santa Clara, CA
I had my wedding here last weekend and it was a dream come true! Patty helped me from start to finish, from showing us around the winery, to the rehearsal, and eventually coordinating the day. She was so helpful, kind, patient, and fun to work with! When we first visited the winery, my fiancé and I fell in love with the breathtaking views and beautiful pavilion area. We knew we wanted our wedding here and signed the contract that day! We chose a day in February because of the discounted winter rate and prayed for a sunny day-​which we got! The wind was still icy cold but it was gorgeous and sunny.
On the wedding day, we arrived and the girls went directly to the bridal suite. It was a perfect and cute little room where we got ready. There was a balcony outside which we would’ve used more if it was warmer. The guys had their own room too upstairs. We had two hours to freshen up, relax, and take photos.
When I walked out to the ceremony with my mom by my side, it was more beautiful than I ever imagined! The wooden pavilion overlooks the vineyard and bay area, and since it was sunny and clear, we had a great view – though I was just staring at my now husband. After the cocktail hour and so many photos, we went to the reception. Surrounded by glass windows, family, and friends, we ate while watching the sun set. It was perfect. We were rushed at the end because we were going over time, but Patty was so gracious and patient with us, and throughout the whole day I was put to ease because I knew she was helping coordinate. If you’re looking for a gorgeous venue for your wedding and love the rustic and naturey feel – look no further. It was the best day ever! :)