Christina Waters

Every year Bargetto Winery unveils its viticultural showpiece, a wine carefully nurtured, blended and finally chosen to wear the latest La Vita label.

The ninth release of La Vita (vintage 2006) happens this weekend, when a hundred or so friends of the area’s oldest winemaking facility will gather on the creekside patio for live music, finger food and a taste of wine. Well, more than one taste perhaps.

“It’s a unique blend of three Italian varietals,” winery director John Bargetto told me last week, when he showed off the new wine. The blend of estate grapes — Dolcetto, Nebbiolo and Refosco — has been aged for three years in oak, (more…)

This Thursday, May 20, Vine Hill Winery teams up with top talent from the Cabrillo College Culinary Arts program for a dreamy match-up of wines and menu.
Actually, it’s close to the deal of the century. A four-course, $65 prix fixe dinner matching innovative dishes with memorable wines made by Vine Hill’s award-winning Sal Godinez. I was lucky enough to sit in on the class in which students sampled wines (instructor Michael Wille shown here), listened to comments from the winemaker, and then began to strategize on ingredients, seasoning and cooking styles to harmonize with the varietals.
Here’s what the students have planned.

The first Course involves duck rillettes with eggplant terrine, goat cheese tomato sauce and brioche toast points, paired with Gatos Locos Syrah, 2006.

Second course, matched with Vine Hill Chardonnay 2008, (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…)

My longtime friend Donna Blakemore and I sit at the wine bar in La Posta, sipping Italian white wine turning gold in the lowering sunlight. The occasion is simply to catch up with someone I see only once a year. The wine reinforces the pleasure of our reunion.

Made by Angiolino Maule from garganega and trebbiano grapes, organically-grown and aged in steel, the La Biancara “i Masieri” is crisp, dry, laden with citrus and perfume of nectarines. Splendid stuff.

Every Saturday from now until the end of summer, from noon to 4pm, the beautiful hilltop Corralitos vineyards and tasting room of Jim and Judy Schultze is open for visits.

Enjoy current release estate pinot noirs,  newly released 2008 ‘One-Acre’ estate Chardonnay, and bring a picnic to enjoy at the tables and chairs under the enormous oaks, overlooking the Monterey Bay.

Also - news flash - make plans to stop by The Fish Lady Market, 2510 Main Street in Soquel, tomorrow FRIDAY April 9 from 6-8pm - and meet the Windy Oaks winemaker, taste two pinots and the coveted estate Chardonnay (three tastes for $10, or a glass for $5). Your basic fun, casual setting, complete with live music, AND the outstanding wines of Windy Oaks Estate.

Rachel and Ryan Beauregard have good reason to smile. They’re in love, starting a family, get to hang out in vineyards any time they want to — and sample an endless supply of Beauregard Vineyards wines (made by Ryan).

Here they pose at the top of the 40-acres Bald Mountain vineyard managed by Ryan’s dad, Jim Beauregard.

Big Basin Vineyards Open House, Saturday, April 10, noon til 5pm

Make plans to visit one of the truly hidden gems of Santa Cruz Mountain wine country this coming Saturday, April 10, at 830 Memory Lane, Boulder Creek, from noon til 5pm.

The extended Big Basin Vineyards April Open House will feature tastings of all the currently released wines, as well as some barrel samples of upcoming vintages.

Dan Robbins will be playing music and Desiree will prepare Syrah and  Pinot-friendly foods, including bison meatballs, herb encrusted baby red and fingerling potatoes, and assorted cheeses.

Taste this amazing lineup!

2009 Aura Rosé of Syrah
2007 Bald Mountain Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains
2007 Alfaro Family Vineyard Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains
2006 Rattlesnake Rock Syrah, Santa Cruz Mountains
2007 Fairview Road Ranch Syrah, Santa Lucia Highlands
2007 Mandala Syrah, Santa Cruz Mountains
2007 Odeon Syrah/Cabernet Sauvignon
2009 Lester Family Pinot Noir (Barrel Sample)
2005 Rattlesnake Rock Syrah, Santa Cruz Mountains

and lots more! Weather permitting, enjoy a stroll in the verdant spring vineyards.

For directions, please go to: www.bigbasinvineyards.com

Expert interpreter of the pinot noir grape, Jim Schultze of Windy Oaks Estate, will brings some of his supple Burgundian-style pinots to pour, detail and interpret, this coming Saturday, February 27.

The informal tasting workshop takes place at Soif, from 2-4 pm, for a $15 per person fee, which includes bread and cheese to accompany the various cuvees.

If you haven’t sampled Windy Oaks wines, or yet had the pleasure of hearing this consummate winemaker talk you through his award-winning vintages — you’re in for a memorable treat.
By reservations only, call wineshop at 423-2020, or email: luke@soifwine.com.