Why is this man standing in front of a wall of 5 gallon carboys filled with vintage 2007 grenache, syrah and assorted other Rhônesque grapes?
Find out tomorrow when I dish about the new Cellar Door dinners – ready to unfold for the discerning public on Saturday, May 16 inside the Bonny Doon Vineyard tasting room.
I’ll keep this simple. Corralitos – gorgeous countryside, wines dripping with terroir.
Wines from Windy Oaks (where you will probably get to sample the new Estate Terra Narro), Alfaro, Nicholson and Pleasant Valley. Vineyards, winemakers, tastes, tours, cheese and sausages, commemorative wine glass – all for $35 (in advance – at the website; $40 day of the event).
May 9, Noon to 5pm – Saturday!
Freedom Blvd to Corralitos and then follow the signs. Better yet, download a map at the website.
The kitchen of Chris Avila just continues to provide comfort to serious foodies and adventurous winos. Take the other evening, for example. Armed with a glass of four-dimensional Sangiovese, I feasted on one of those amazing scallops appetizers Soif does so well.
The trio of scallops – always perfectly golden crisp exterior with buttery tender interior – arrived on a bed of crisp baby enoki mushrooms, strewn on a rich cushion of potato risotto. A moat of transparent parsley oil circled the shellfish.
See what I mean?
Soif.
Pissaladiere, ratatouille, pistou – just some of the luscious flavors of Spring in the French Countryside. They are yours for lunch now at Au Midi in Aptos.
Michel and Muriel Loubi̩re emailed to tell me that their charming bistro is now open from Wednesday to Saturday for lunch (11:30-2) and dinner (5:30 Р9pm) РSunday for dinner only.
To join Muriel’s splendid authentic French cuisine you can now choose from the entire line of premium wines from Windy Oaks Estate, recently added to the Au Midi wine list.
There is so little genuine, intimate handmade food still available in Santa Cruz area restaurants….treat yourself to the real thing at Au Midi (a bit out-of-the-way, tucked behind the Aptos Cinema).
Au Midi Restaurant & Bistrot
Aptos Village Square
7960 Soquel Drive, Suite E
Aptos, CA 95003
831.685.2600
A book of sensory adventure: The rituals, passions and discoveries of an engaged life.