Carruth Cellars~Winery On Cedros: Love & Gratitude

 

Cameron & Kenny pressing the 2010 Syrah

Carruth Cellars~Winery On Cedros is a boutique, urban winery, located just a few blocks from the beach in the Cedros Design District of Solana Beach.  The winery/tasting room consists of just 1200 square feet!  During harvest, wine tasters are literally standing in the middle of the production space, for a truly authentic experience in winemaking.

Adam in Lake County strategizing the truck load

Carruth Cellars sources their grapes from Napa, Sonoma, Lake County, Yolo County, Paso Robles, and then they transport the grapes down to their location in a refrigerated truck to Cedros, where the grapes are crushed, fermented, pressed and barrel-aged on site.  On average, they make 12 different varietals a year, mostly North Coast Reds, as well as a Lake County Sauvignon Blanc, and a Russian River Chardonnay from the famed Bacigalupi Vineyard in Sonoma.

Jon crushing at the Winery On Cedros-Photo by Shawn Lloyd

                                                                     

Picking up the 2009 Lake County Sauvignon grapes

Visitors of the Winery On Cedros have the opportunity to taste award-winning wines, join the Cellar Club, and purchase wine on site.  Local artists are featured in the winery, and it is a great place to kick back and chat with both locals and visitors to the area.  The Winery On Cedros, in the first 6 months open to the public, has quickly become a hub of community through numerous fundraiser and private events.  It is also a marvel for many, as they stumble off the beaten path to find a fully-operational winery in the neighborhood!

Anne & Jennifer Neff 2009 Harvest "Dirty Girl Pinot" Crush

Elaine Lo & Annie racking barrels-Photo by Kerry Carruth

Carruth Cellars is an endeavor near and dear to my heart.  The artisan nature of boutique winemaking and the start-up tenacity required to make an urban winery a reality has continually sparked my interest, passion, and engendered my loyalty.

After moving back to California, in 2007, I met Adam Carruth, winemaker, owner and creative energy behind the label and the wine.   One of my first encounters was a "crush" party in September 2007.  At the time, I knew virtually nothing about wine!  I could not imagine how much wine would become a part of my life and passion at the time.

Adam Carruth 2005 Harvest

Looking for a change of pace, in 1998, Adam moved from Carlsbad to Sonoma and began studying viticulture.  At that time, he had no intention of becoming a winemaker.  He had been a home brewer for 7 years, beginning in college at UC Riverside.

Adam began picking second harvest grapes, from high-end vineyards such as Ernie Bacigalupi's in Russian River, and making wine as a hobby with friends.  These early crushes evolved into a passion that coalesced numerous interests, skills, and dreams.  Four crushes later, Adam was back in Carlsbad, trucking grapes down from Sonoma to his backyard crushpad.  In 2006, he made 30 barrels, at which time he began wholesaling under the label, Carruth Cellars.  In one year, he had already acquired 60 wholesale accounts in San Diego County, Orange County, and beyond.

Hub & Adam Summer Solstice Bottling 2009-Photo by Kerry Carruth

In the spring of 2009, Adam decided to act on a long held dream of opening his own urban winery and chose the Cedros Design District in Solana Beach to be the home of this endeavor.  After an extended process, and much expenditure of time, resources, and sanity, the Winery On Cedros was officially born in the fall of 2010.

Adam, Annie, & Bryce racking barrels-Photo by Kerry Carruth

Alongside Adam, I have weathered the long, arduous process of this project and witnessed the sheer tenacity and passion required to risk it all, through seemingly endless red tape, frustrating politics and logistical nightmares.  I have become overwhelming appreciative of every entrepreneur who dares to dream and give birth to a small business in these times, or any time for that matter.  It has also served to increase my resolve for supporting local in our community!  If we want to have local access to unique, quality products and spaces, we must go out and support our local businesses!!

Adam & Annie Crush 2009-Photo by Shawn Lloyd

My appreciation for the art of winemaking and the heart of a dreamer/entrepreneur is ever evolving in my role as a supporter of Adam and the Winery On Cedros.  In the wine, you experience a relationship with nature, ever evolving and offering you new insights, as it is so with the dreamer and the dream realized.

Franni, Adam, & Annie-www.photosbytamme.com

You can find Carruth Cellars~Winery On Cedros in the Cedros Design District, just 600 feet south of the Belly Up Tavern.  It is tucked away off the east side of the street, so you have to keep an eye out for the small signage.  Look for the driveway next to Cole's Fine Flooring; walk up that driveway and you will find the winery in the back, next to Project X: Art Gallery.

Cameron serving it up in the tasting room-Photo by Jon Clark

Open Monday-Saturday, Noon-9:00PM, and Sunday, Noon-6:00PM for tastings.  And, if Adam is around, there's always a good chance for a barrel taste, especially if you are a Cellar Club member! 

Carruth Cellars~Winery On Cedros
320 So. Cedros Ave.
Solana Beach, CA 92075
www.carruthcellars.com
858.847.9463