Santa Cruz mountains winemaker living his dream

May 14, 8:28 AMSanta Cruz Wine ExaminerJune Smith & Jerry Starr

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Jerold O'Brien is a happy man

Lucky visitors who make the drive up to Silver Mountain Vineyard, one of the most progressive of sustainable wineries in the region, are in for Triple Rewards. From this mountaintop vineyard estate, there are: sweeping vistas of the Monterey Bay and the Santa Cruz Mountains; Gold Medal Award winning wines; and a hearty greeting by the gregarious and light-hearted owner and proprietor, Jerold O’Brien. You get the feeling that you’re close to wine-lover’s heaven.

Visitors are allowed entry to what feels like an exclusive club – through a private gate. The access road to the winery winds up through the estate vineyard where Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Merlot thrive.

More than 35 years ago Jerold, a former Air Force Pilot, who had the opportunity to taste and experience alluring wines from all over the world, came to the Santa Cruz Mountains to follow his dream, as he often says, “to create premium, world-class wines at reasonable prices.”

That 30-plus year dream included a passion for sustainable, organic principles of farming, and a vision of harnessing the power of the sun to: grow premium fruit, supply hot water, and generate electricity to power the entire estate.

The solar array is installed and one of the final steps in Jerold's vision has been realized. The completed 6,000 square foot roof over the winery operation supports the largest solar array in the Santa Cruz Mountains, supplying 46 kilowatts of power. The Triple Rewards here include: shade for the barrel room, previously exposed to full sun, reducing summertime refrigeration; rainwater collection for use in vineyard irrigation and barrel cleaning; and the solar array which supports the energy requirements of the entire estate. This array includes the winery operation and office, the residence, and even returns power to the grid.

Jerold says, “I'm very pleased with the most perfect winter rains in over 30 years. There is more vigorous growth in the vineyard, and the recently planted cover crop provides a colorful home for essential organic growing partners like ladybugs, and bees.”

On any weekend morning, with perfect mountain and Monterey Bay views as a back drop, and with a group of enthralled visitors, Jerold will be heard to joyously exclaim, “I feel wonderful! I couldn’t be happier!”