Christina Waters

The Nikolaihoff Grüner Veltliner now on the chalkboard at Avanti is one of those stunning Austrian varietals that gives white wine a good name.

Light and loaded with flint and chalk, this light alcohol beauty also packs tones of jasmine and nectarine into to its ultra-dry mix.

While sampling this goes-with-anything varietal I learned that Katy Cater has a new show of atmospheric black and white photographs at Riva on the wharf. Another reason to hit the waves.

The Homeless Services Center’s 11th Annual Soupline Supper and Benefit Auction is coming up on Thursday, April 29, 5:30-7:30 ($25) at the Cocoanut Grove on the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. After ten years tradition at the Holy Cross Parish hall, this is the first year at a new venue. What hasn’t changed about this annual extravaganza of delicious soups, breads, and desserts from some of Santa Cruz’s best restaurants and bakeries, is the dizzying array of auction items and amazing variety. Plus I’ll be there serving soup beautiful soup.

This year’s auction includes Disneyland passes, a personal retreat at Esalen Institute, (more…)

From Poetic Cellars comes this powerhouse of a Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre blend, the 2007  Mantra, made from Livermore Valley grapes by Katy Lovell.

A graceful yet sturdy red, Mantra exudes a fragrant meatiness, with cassis and pepper  balanced by minerals. Use it as you would any decent Rhône wine, with lamb, cheese, pasta.

Hurry on up to the gorgeous Poetic Cellars tasting room and pick up one of the few remaining bottles — $34.

Winemaker Bradley Brown continues to capture the attention of influential Wine Spectator tasters. His 2007 Odeon Santa Cruz Mountains Syrah/Cab blend won a 93 ranking by WS (see the current May 2010 issue). And his 2007 Santa Cruz Mountains Mandala Syrah took a 91.

I say run out and grab some of these remarkable Santa Cruz Mountains creations while they’re still priced under $45.

Kudos Bradley!

Gardening Workshop on April 25: Home gardeners listen up! Get some fresh ideas at a Spring Gardening Workshop on Sunday, April 25 from 10 am to 1 pm at the UCSC Farm.UCSC’s Alan Chadwick Garden manager Orin Martin and gardening instructor Trish Hildinger will lead this lecture and demonstration workshop. The focus will be on spring and early summer crops, including (more…)

Girls of the golden west gathered last week for lunch on the wharf. Not only did the weather cooperate for an outing with my mom and aunts — Boulder Creek girls all — but we found ourselves joined for a schmoozefest by surfer/philanthropist George Ow Jr (George and I were both born in the stately building now known as Branciforte Plaza) and historian/filmmaker Geoff Dunn (one of the Stagnaro clan).

Turns out my aunt Virlyne (more…)

Oyster scene @ Soif - We checked it out last Monday, and especially loved the kumomotos and the sensuous, briny kusshis - accompanied by a light, crisp and lively Muscadet, 2008 Domaine de la Pepiere from the Loire Valley. Yes, the ultra-fresh oysters - served with a Cava mignonette as well as spicy cocktail sauce - are steep, ranging from $1 for the plump Evening Coves, to $2.50 each for the coveted Kusshis.

BUT, with bread you could make a decent light dinner of (more…)

Through April 30 catch the vibrant coastal landscapes on exhibition at the new Davenport Gallery.

Works by Ray Ginghofer, Peter Loftus (shown here), Brian Rounds, Frank Galuszka and Claire Thorson help to create technical expressionist synergy. The rich colorwork of the landscapes played lively counterpoint to large-scale experimental black and white images by photographer Steve Laufer.

After the opening reception last week, we went next door to the Roadhouse (still haunted by the sweet ghost of the New Davenport Cash Store) and enjoyed some excellent salmon.

Curated by bronze sculptor Steve Rudzinski, the current Davenport Gallery show provides a great excuse to cruise up Highway One and savor the mustard in bloom along the north coast.

Rare salmon on polenta made
the perfect finish to a day in Davenport.

Shiva Paintstiks are the designer version of largescale crayons for professional artists. Think of oil paints in stick form and you’re there. Thing is, they require some practice to really achieve a good result. That’s where Andy Lenz comes in. Longtime local artist and paintstik maestro, Lenz will provide a free, in-store demo of these intriguing art tools, this Saturday, April 24, from 1-3pm, at (I think you probably already know where) - at Lenz Arts, 142 River Street.

Here’s an example (l.) of how compelling paintstick artwork can look from the hand of a master. This is part of the on-going oeuvre of Philadelphia artist Susan Moore, most of whose output for the past decade has been created using oil stick techniques.