133
Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyards
SARATOGA
The Cooper-Garrod story begins in 1893 when English immigrants, David and
Sophia Garrod, purchased property above Saratoga from the Mount Eden
Orchard and Vineyard Company. From then on, the Garrods were a farming
family that grew their passion into what now includes 28 acres of organic
vineyards. David and Sophia's granddaughter, Louise, played a pivotal role
in the winery's history when she met George Cooper at UC Berkeley in the
1930s. The two married, and after WWII when George began to work as a
research test pilot at NASA/Ames, they settled at the Garrod family ranch.
Cooper and Garrod cousins grew up together, and when George was ready
for retirement in 1972, he chose to pursue winemaking in his golden years.
George planted Cabernet Sauvignon on the Garrod family estate with
guidance from neighbor and legendary winemaker, Martin Ray, and help
from family members. Over the next 20 years, George and his nephew, Jan
Garrod, expanded the vineyards to include Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, and
additional Cabernet Sauvignon. The Cooper and Garrod families enjoyed a
truly private reserve during this time, ultimately leading to establishment of a
bonded winery in 1994. The premier commercial release, a 1992 Chardonnay,
won the first of many prestigious awards. Today the vineyards yield about 80
tons of estate fruit per year, some sold to other wineries, and estate annual
production is around 2,000 cases. Varietals now also include Viognier, Pinot
Noir, Syrah, Merlot, and the Test Pilot series, which are estate blends. Cooper-
Garrod is a CCOF Certified Organic Vineyard and CCSW Certified Sustainable
Vineyard and Winery.
FACING PAGE: A trail ride returns home past the Gravel
Ridge vineyard in this bucolic setting only 20 minutes from
Silicon Valley.
Photograph by Kristian Melom
ABOVE: Fine estate wines ready for gift giving, enjoying at
home or on our terrace.
Photograph courtesy of Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyards
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
