Nicholson Vineyards, Aptos ...from apple county to wine country

Nicholson Vineyards is on Pleasant Valley Road in Corralitos, just around the corner from where my grade school bus stop was. As a child, I lived up the road. Locals call the area Corralitos. It's a rural micro-region of sorts tucked between Aptos and Watsonville. The area is warm in the day, and cooler at night. Just perfect for growing apples—which is historically what the area is known for—but is also now becoming a known wine belt.

The tasting room is nestled between huge, spreading oak trees and rows of beautiful fresh-green grape vines. Wooden picnic tables are dotted under the shady oaks. And bistro tables, with umbrellas to keep the heat off, decorate the green grass area. Climbing roses grow along the entrance to the tasting room and welcome guests in.

I visited on a Passport Day; it was a full house inside but plenty of spaces could be found outdoors to soak up the county views. Nicholson Vineyards offered cheese, grapes, and a pastry along with their wines. Various tasting levels were available; Premier, Passport, or Reserve. Guests can enjoy the tasting room counter or take their wines outside. It's the perfect setting to bring a picnic and relax.

• 2014 Estate Chardonnay. Grown in an area that was formerly an apple orchard, it's not surprising the tart green apple and grapefruit flavors stand out. No malolactic fermentation took place, and it was aged in neutral French oak. So this is more of a fresh and crisp Chardonnay.
• 2013 Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir Cuvee. This is a blend of Pinot from two vineyards—one being off Mt. Madonna Road, the other, off Trout Gulch Road behind the Aptos Post Office. This Cuvee offers light roses on the nose with earthy flavors and dark cherry, and is very light in body.
• You can also find: Viognier, Syrah, an old vine Zinfandel from Amador County, Barbera, and a Cabernet Sauvignon from the Santa Cruz Mountains.
• Look for the Nicholson's extra virgin olive oil. The olives are grow on site.