Our Story
We are an Urban Winery. In other words, we buy grapes from the country and make wine by the beach. We call it “bringing grapes to the people."
Our award winning wine is made with LOVE & GRATITUDE for all who helped make it happen. From the Grape Growers we’ve been sourcing fruit from for years, to the bottling crew and bar staff, we try to involve as many local, hard-working people as we can. Some bottles are dedicated to various charitable efforts and a portion of proceeds are donated to the cause. We call these our “Pay it Forward” bottles – look out for them on our shop page!
Since we are able to source fruit from all over the West Coast, we offer a unique experience to support local, while still getting to taste exceptional wines from different regions. We strive to provide a space for neighbors to get to know one another and build community. From our Wine Club membership that feels like family, to our community collaborations, we can say without hesitation that wine is better shared with friends!
The Process
Sourcing the best grapes we can find is the first and most important step in our winemaking process; we focus our efforts on the fruit from Northern California. As soon as the grapes are harvested, they are loaded into temperature controlled trucks and are immediately transported to San Diego. We do all wine production (destemming, crushing, fermenting, aging, and bottling) in our urban facility by the beach. Our urban winery, tasting rooms and wine garden are open 7 days a week for you to visit.
THE PEOPLE
Adam Carruth
Founder & Owner
“I would like to offer my profound gratitude to all those who have offered their support and efforts along the way, helping to make this dream a reality.” – Adam Carruth
He’s a local | Adam is a native of San Diego County, a graduate of Carlsbad High School, and has lived in North County for most of his life.
Before there was wine, there was beer | Before embarking on his journey as a winemaker, Adam began brewing beer during college in 1991 as a hobby at U.C. Riverside. After graduating he moved to Sonoma County and studied viticulture at Santa Rosa Community College. In 1998, living in the wine country, his interest in grape growing inspired a new hobby, making wine with friends and other wine enthusiasts.
It all started in his backyard | With much encouragement from friends, Adam continued to make wine after moving back to Carlsbad in 2001 by trucking grapes down from Northern California’s premier wine regions. In 2006, Adam’s backyard wine making transitioned into a professional operation, and Carruth Cellars was born.
Awards
BEST IN CLASS
2009 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
PLATINUM
2019 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
2019 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
2019 Rock Pile Petite Sirah
GOLD
2019 BDX Blend
2018 & 2019 Pine Mt Cabernet Sauvignon
2019 Lake County Tempranillo
2018 Chalk Hill Cabernet Franc
2018 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
2018 Dry Creek Merlot
2018 Alexander Valley Petit Verdot
2019 Lake County Sauvignon Blanc
2018 Sonoma Valley Super Tuscan
2018 Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
2017 Chalk Hill Cabernet Franc
2017 Dry Creek Valley Merlot
2017 Alexander Valley Petit Verdot
2016 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
2016 Knights Valley Merlot
2015 Tattoo Red North Coast Blend
2014 Alexander Valley Cabernet Franc
2014 Lake Country Malbec
2014 Alexander Valley Petit Verdot
2014 North Coast Tattoo Red Blend
2013 Russian River Petite Sirah
2012 Sonoma Valley Syrah
2012 Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon
2014 North Coast FourPlay Blend
2011 Lake County Sauvignon Blanc
2009 Paso Robles Petite Sirah
2009 Lake County Malbec
2x GOLD
2022 Lake County Sauvignon Blanc
2019 Tattoo Red
2018 BDX Blend
2018 Knight’s Valley Malbec
2018 Alexander Valley Syrah
2018 Knight’s Valley Merlot
2017 Alexander Valley Syrah
2016 Knights Valley Malbec
2015 BDX North Coast Blend
2015 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
2016 Santa Lucia Pinot Noir
2015 Santa Lucia Pinot Noir
2013 BDX North Coast Blend
2011 Dry Creek Cabernet Sauvignon
2010 Paso Robles Petite Sirah