Skov Winery is Bringing New Life to Former Roudon-Smith Site

There is a new name in town, on the site of one of the original pioneer Santa Cruz Mountain wineries. But Skov Winery owners Annette and David Hunt are no newbies to winemaking or to Scotts Valley for that matter.

The Hunts, who bought Roudon-Smith Winery in 2003, have been producing wines under that label and at that winery ever since. Now, the couple is ready to change things up and make a name for themselves.

“Rumors are flying,” Annette said.

But the story is simple. In December of 2010, the Hunts separated business ties with their business partner of four years, Al Drewke. Drewke took the Roudon-Smith name to Watsonville, and the Hunts kept the Scotts Valley location and winemaking facility.

“It was definitely me who wanted to go on our own and that’s why we let him have the name,” Annette explained.

The new name, Skov (rhymes with “glow”) came from a suggestion from Annette sister who asked her to describe the location, and when she heard about the forest all around, she suggested “skov,” the Danish word for forest.

“I’m Danish and my winery is in the skov,” Annette said.

Annette has a passion for winemaking and it comes through in just talking to her about the industry. She also knows that an important part of the business is building relationships with everyone that comes into the winery.

And it is that attitude that seems to be working for Skov. When the couple first announced their new label, Annette says that a lot of their followers started begging for a wine club.

“We had 55 wine club members in two months. That’s loyalty,” she said.

On the Scotts Valley front she adds, “I want to see my tasting room bombarded with Scotts Valley locals every weekend!”

Currently, Annette says that most of the people visiting the tasting room are from “over the hill,” but she hopes to change that.

“Locals forget what’s in our own backyard,” she said. “Take a two hour vacation [to the winery]. Bring a picnic and stay for the afternoon.”

One opportunity for a local celebration is the upcoming second annual “Wine and Wet Noses” event on the Skov grounds.

On Saturday, May 14, Skov is expecting 300 people for a fundraiser for Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter, Monterey County SPCA and Unconditional Love Animal Rescue. Skov is donating the use of the location, their time, wine for tastings, and logoed wine glasses. Sandabs is donating food, and the Santa Cruz Wine Experience is donating a shuttle service starting at 11:30 a.m. back and forth from the Cavallaro Transit Center to the winery (all guests are advised to take the shuttle; there will be no parking at the event).

Tickets to the event are $25 for adults and $10 for kids and designated drivers, and 100 percent of ticket revenues from entry and raffle tickets will be split between the three causes. There will also be dogs and cats up for adoption, and you can even bring your own dog on a leash, even on the shuttle.

Musical guests will include Robert Berry and the Groove Kings. Bring a lawn chair and spend the afternoon sipping wine for a good cause at Scotts Valley’s newest local winery.

Skov Winery is at 2364 Bean Creek Road. For more information, visit http://www.skovwinery.com/