Christmas Tree Wine Trail

Does Christmas get more merry with wine, or do wineries get more merry with Christmas? New this year, the Christmas Tree Wine Trail in the Santa Cruz Mountains: Seven wineries, four cafes, and three Christmas tree farms have partnered up for one jolly good time. Taste wine in an old schoolhouse at Burrell School Vineyards (pictured), where award-winning wines have names like "Detention Zinfandel" and "Extra Credit Cab Franc." Generosa Winery—with two regulation bocce courts—is an intimate tasting room that's only open for four more days! (Get great deals on their wines before they close their doors for good.) And definitely don't bah-humbug Loma Prieta Winery; at 2,300 feet it has the best view: a southern panorama of Monterey Bay. Along the way, stop and roam the Christmas-tree farms. Patchen's two locations have holiday hoopla from Santa to free cider to homemade gifts. Frosty's has complimentary hot chocolate and candy canes. Radonich Ranch rounds out the trio. Hurry on your way! The Christmas Tree Wine Trail ends Dec. 20. Thumpity thump thump….

The epicenter of the action is Summit Rd., east of Highway 17. Pick up a Christmas Tree Wine Trail map at one of the participating wineries. For tasting room hours and prices, visit each winery's Web site.