Hot Deal @ New Leaf
Wine Hopping Weekend
This Saturday, July 18, from 11-5pm, take advantage of the Summer Passport winetasting trek through the vineyards and cellars and tasting rooms of 50 Santa Cruz Mountain wineries.
Alfaro’s Family Vineyard, in pastoral Corralitos, is only one of the stops you can visit – the $40 tasting passport gives you access to all the wineries, on all four Passport weekends throughout the year.
The Passport – unlike the one issued by the US government – never expires. And this is a great opportunity to visit small, artisanal wineries, such as Windy Oaks, that are rarely open except by appointment. Visit the SCMWA website for full details. [photo by PattyHinzImagery.com]
Plein Air Affair
Once again the Museum of Art & History in downtown Santa Cruz hosts an alfresco event devoted entirely to al fresco artwork. The juried selection of 25 of the area’s top plein air painters — including several from beyond the Monterey Bay region— will be on hand this coming weekend to show, sell and demonstrate their expertise with the colors and forms, light and atmosphere of paintings made outside the studio. Yes it is the positively all-new Plein Air Affair.
The moody landscapes created by Andrew Purchin (Pogonip Path shown here) are included in the substantial show, which will fill the courtyard between Vinocruz and Lulu Carpenter’s from 11am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday, July 11 and 12. In addition to vibrant artworks by Charles Prentiss, Jennie McDade, Brian Rounds, Frank Galuszka and many others, plan on plenty of live music and refreshments throughout the weekend. And as a terrific bonus, you’ll also find Vine Hill winemaker Sal Godinez pouring his award-winning pinot noirs at the oh-so-conveniently-located Vinocruz, from 3-5pm, on Sat, July 11. All the more reason to add this downtown hot spot to your weekend calendar.
Full details on this year’s Plein Air weekend are available at the MAH website. Be there!
Crisp, Dry & Cheap
Thanks to a vigilant field informant, I discovered this delightfully drinkable and seriously affordable Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. The 2008 Vin-Koru is 12.8% alcohol and loaded with lemongrass and pepper. The central core of minerals and salt leads to a very lively finish of tart peaches and fennel. This could be your new summer tipple — and for $5.99, it is definitely one of mine. Check TJs.
Women in Wine – Sunday, June 29 @ Vino Locale
Come on over to the warm side of the Santa Cruz Mountains this Sunday, June 28, where from 2-5pm Vino Locale will host a vivacious wine tasting, auction and sales wrapped around some of the top women in local winemaking. The event – a fundraiser for the Women’s Center of Walnut Avenue in Santa Cruz – includes plenty of wine tasting, vineyard sagas and crostini for $25/person.
Look for Val Ahlgren, from Ahlgren Vineyard, Christine Slatter of Hunter Hill, Mary Lindsay from Muns Vineyard, Mary Kay Alfaro from Alfaro Family Winery, Anne Moulton from Burrel School Vineyards, Katy Lovell of Poetic Cellars – and other wine femmes. Learn more than is decent about the behind-the-scenes operations of small, artisanal wineries. You’re bound to discover a new favorite wine. Vino Locale is located at 431 Kipling Street, just off University and across from Zibibbo.
Cumbre = la Cumbre
If you like to try wines by the number, you might want to look for vintage 2006 wines under the Vine Hill wine group’s Cumbre label. These Cumbre wines blew away the reviewers at Wine Enthusiast magazine — you’ll find their point spread in the July 2009 issue.
2006 Cumbre Hicks – 94 points
2006 Cumbre Raffaelli – 93 points
2006 Cumbre Santa Cruz Mountains (blend) – 92 points
Vine Hill’s playful Gatos Locos label garnered 89 points for a 2006 Gatos Locos Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir. Keep your eyes peeled for the group’s new Vine Hill label, named for the historic vineyard location, showcasing the work of winemaker Sal Godinez.
In fact, why don’t you come on down and meet Godinez, taste some of his ridiculously drinkable wines for yourself?
He’ll be pouring the Cumbre label at Vinocruz, on Saturday, July 11th, from 3-5pm.
Inside the Flame
A book of sensory adventure: The rituals, passions and discoveries of an engaged life.