Sandar + Hem tells the story of the Santa Cruz Mountains through site-specific, terroir driven wines
California’s Santa Cruz Mountains is a rugged, complex, and endlessly beautiful place. Sandar & Hem explores the nuance that microclimate has on grapes grown in each pocket of this expansive AVA. We craft distinctive, delicious wines from grape sources throughout this marine-influenced region. The result is a spectrum of wines that highlight the unique attributes of each individual vineyard and that together paint a full and memorable expression of the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Sandar & Hem’s goal is to make wines that highlight the unique attributes of top sites in the Santa Cruz Mountains with a light hand that emphasizes energy and translucence. It will be fascinating to see where these wines go in coming years, especially as the range expands to include new sites. For now, though, this is a very impressive debut.
Antonio Galloni
Vinous
Sandar + Hem is dedicated to expressing site-specific terroirs, respecting nature, and producing transparent wines of distinction. Winemaker Robert Bergstrom’s commitment and passion, combined with his extraordinary biology and winemaking expertise, practically ensures that excellent wines of class and breed will ensue. Sandar + Hem is a rising star in the Santa Cruz Mountains appellation… I urge you to try these exemplary bottlings and see for yourself what the excitement is all about.
John Akeley
Robert's Market
Sandar & Hem is one of the most exciting labels I’ve tried in recent years.
Matt Kettmann
A diligent loveliness.
R.H. Drexel
Jeb Dunnuck
It’s one of the best chardonnays from the Santa Cruz Mountains I have ever tasted. Trust me, you will love it.”
Laurie Love
Enjoy the Bates Ranch Rosé of Grenache, filled with strawberries, guava and pure joy
Laura Ness
The newest producer featured in this report, Sandar & Hem has rapidly caught the attention of many in the region and beyond. Proprietors Robert and Recha Bergstrom founded this project in 2018 after many combined years in the medical and tech worlds. Robert is a student of classic wines and the techniques used to make them, quickly building an impressive roster of polished but authentic bottlings sourced from top vineyards across the region. Of the newly established producers I sampled for this report, Sandar & Hem stands in a league above the rest.
