Storrs Winery is the creation of two people who firmly believed in the potential that the Santa Cruz Mountains held for truly great wine. Using their knowledge gleaned from years of winemaking at other operations and from their studies at the University of California, Davis, Pamela Bianchini Storrs and Stephen Storrs began their winery with the vintage of 1988.

Pam credits her Nonno (Italian for grandfather) for giving her the determination to be the first woman in the family to graduate from college (University of California, Davis) and for encouraging her interest in enology. With the release of their very first wine—an excellent White Riesling—they were capturing Gold Medals, in this case, at the prestigious San Francisco National Wine Competition. When they began, their case production totaled 1,200 cases. Over the years, they have steadily improved their facility and their equipment, and now they have grown to a comfortable 12,000 cases, just right for two winemakers. Storrs produces Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay, among other varietals and blends.

In 2001, Steve and Pamela realized their long-held dream when they purchased 50 acres in the Pleasant Valley district of Corralitos on the southwestern slopes of Mount Madonna. Since that day, they have been converting the farm to sustainable/organic practices. Today, they organically farm three acres of heirloom Newtown Pippin apples that are sold to a local CSA (community-supported agriculture) farm-share program and Martinelli’s apple juice of Watsonville. They planted their first 10 acres in selected Pinot Noir and Chardonnay clones in the spring and early summer of 2007, and in time they expanded their plantings to more than 15 acres. As part of this endeavor, they are working to preserve wildlife corridors and habitat for the numerous animals that call Pleasant Valley their home.

The Storrs broke ground in 2012 for construction of their new eco-friendly winery on the site of a former quarry that they discovered on their property. The winery and associated tasting room opened to the public in 2018. Pam and Steve continue to pursue excellence with every vintage and celebrate the terroir of their unique region in every bottle. Integrating even more regenerative practices to enhance their soil and biodiversity is always on the agenda.

With the birth of their first child, whose business card reads “Cellar & Rug Rat,” they became a truly family-oriented company. They are now proud parents of three children, who represent the tenth generation of the Storrs to be born in America.