From Welding To Wine
Eric Stockwell was bitten by the winemaking bug in the early 2000’s. While running his own welding and metal fabrication business, he started making wine at home. Over the next decade he honed his skills and increased his yield. Through exploration and experimentation, he eventually came to focus on creating unmanipulated single varietal wines using Old World techniques.
By 2014, it was clear that his passion for winemaking had blossomed into the makings of another business. That spring, he cleared out the back half of his westside Santa Cruz welding shop and opened Stockwell Cellars to an appreciative public.
A Modern Urban Winery
Today, Stockwell Cellars has entirely taken over the building where Eric once operated his metal shop. Wood and steel tables and bars—all handmade by Eric—give the winery its distinctive character, while comfortable gathering spaces reflect the warmth and hospitality that have always been at the heart of Stockwell Cellars.
After many years of welcoming the Santa Cruz community for wine, music, food, and art, our tasting room has entered a new chapter. The space is now dedicated primarily to winemaking and to creating more personal experiences for our Wine Club members.
Throughout the year, we look forward to welcoming members back for special tasting and pickup events, new wine releases, Winemaker’s Saturdays, and other opportunities to gather around the thing that started it all: the wine.
While the way we use our tasting room has changed, our commitment to thoughtfully crafted wines and the relationships we've built along the way remains very much the same.
A Full Family Affair
While Eric is our winemaker, his wife and co-owner Suzanne oversees the Wine Club, customer relationships, and the many details that keep Stockwell Cellars moving forward. With a background in direct-to-consumer wine sales and event coordination, she brings both industry experience and an instinct for creating meaningful connections around wine.
Eric may be the winemaker and craftsman behind Stockwell Cellars, but Suzanne brings the energy, hospitality, and sense of community that have long been part of its character. Together, they share a commitment to thoughtfully made wines and to creating personal experiences that keep their customers and Wine Club members connected to Stockwell Cellars.
Together Eric and Suzanne make Stockwell Cellars a truly unique experience among the burgeoning urban wineries in Santa Cruz. They combine Old World winemaking techniques to produce both traditional and unexpected high-quality wines served in a down-to-earth tasting room.
The Tasting Room
Proud to be among the growing urban winery scene in Santa Cruz, our warm and welcoming tasting room feels more like a brewpub than a stuffy winery. Handcrafted wood and metal tables, made by our metal-worker founder, mingle with local art and relaxing sofas nestled among dancing firelight. Lounging in our tasting room is a little like gathering around a modern version of the village smithy.