 Just this weekend, Monterey, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, El Dorado and Amador County wineries and tasting rooms flung open their doors to tasters! Yes, exhale with joy! Winemakers and their staff are as eager to see you as you are to see them. After almost four months of sheltering in place, California is starting to open up wineries. Before you plan your customary day of tasting, here are a few tips on what’s happening in the tasting room scene:
 When you arrive for your tasting appointment:
 Your favorite wineries are anxious to see their tasting fans again! Contact them if you have any questions about their current—and evolving—tasting practices. And bringing a note of thanks, a big air hug, or a treat to your best loved winery is always in style. -------------------------------------------- A toast to the new ways of sipping! Shondra Savadkohi Gain more from your next tasting with Nose & Palate wine traits... 
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 Wine is meant to be shared. It's the liquid for celebrations, community, and for gathering with friends and family. I want to acknowledge that all of this has come to a screeching halt. We all are, to some degree, dealing with Covid-19. Some are instantly without work. Others are on the front line. And hopefully, all are making efforts to shelter in place for everyone's health and safety. It's difficult to be separated from our loved ones and experience this much change at once. For a piece of bright news, Bay Area wines are, thankfully, still available. At this time, wineries are not allowed to be open to the public for purchases in the tasting room or wine tasting on site. But winemakers are being creative and resourceful in an effort to keep their businesses-- and to keep sharing their wines with tasters. If you're still in a place to purchase wine and enjoy it, now is the time. Here's how:
 For a list of wineries and their current offerings and shipping, visit the following links. The specials will likely vary and change as needed. Wineries of Santa Clara Valley The site currently lists their winery options for delivery, curbside, shipping, and specials. Visit Santa Clara Wines. Monterey County Vintners & Growers Find wineries in Carmel, Soledad, and Monterey. Contact the winery directly for current offerings. Visit Monterey County Wines. Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrower Assoc. Find a listing of pick-up, delivery, and discount options by winery. Visit Santa Cruz Mountain Wines. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Health to you and yours in this time, and a few words of comfort... God is my refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalms 46:1 A Prayer of one afflicted, when he is faint and pours out his complaint before the Lord. 'Hear my prayer, O Lord; let my cry come to you!' Psalms 102:1 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Blessings to you, Shondra Savadkohi Travel from the comfort of you home and snag a few ideas from this Home-Tasting of 3 Reds...  The Annual Silicon Valley Wine Auction offered a collage of wines from the region. Winemakers from Corralitos to the Peninsula gathered to pour their wines. The commonality? All the wines were made with grapes sourced from the Santa Cruz Mountain AVA. Enjoy the tour!  Hosted at: Montalvo Arts Center, Saratoga.  Thank you, Santa Cruz Mountains Wine Growers Assoc., for the invitation to cover the 2019 SVWA! I volunteered for the Santa Cruz Mountain Winegrowers Association (Link) for almost four years. During that time, I cut my teeth on SCM varietals. These local wines became the foundation for my wine palate. Without meaning to, I often compare and contrast the wines from other regions to my local wines. Some SCM wines are smooth, some silky, others light, others hearty. Producing wines that are tannic, to raw, to elegant in palate, the region is a wine playground within reach of the beach and the nation's tech capital. ----------------------------- A toast to your collage of wines! Shondra Savadkohi Looking for wines in Monterey County? Read on...  Sunday, June 23, 1-5pm at Equinox Tasting Room, Santa Cruz Join Nicole Walsh, owner & winemaker of Ser Winery for a Pop-Up Tasting! Enjoy Wine Flights and Wines by the Glass Nicole is a Santa Cruz based artisan winemaker “specializing in varietal, vineyard designated, old world style wines, produced in a natural way...” Come relax and savor wines made with a fresh, yet experienced approach!  For more on Nicole and her wines at Ser Winery, visit: www.serwinery.com/
 Dare to Pair 2019 Local Culinary, Hospitality, and Wine students offered an event to rival the Bay Area food and wine scene. The Cabrillo College students spent almost two months preparing for the Dare To Pair. Small bites were beautifully plated. Each dish presented its own flavor elements to pair with the wine students chose. Food and wine were served under awnings, deep in the dark cellars, in tasting rooms, and under the gorgeous Santa Cruz sun. All of the wines were gifted by Surf City Vintners (Link). A heartfelt “Thank you” to each winery who donated their wines for the D2P and to the Cabrillo Culinary, Wine, and Hospitality Program throughout the year! Cheers to you for supporting our local students and the wine and food industry. A 'thank you' to Chef/Instructor Jeremy and Chef/Instructor Eric from Cabrillo College! Guests enjoy the pairings and time together. Cathy Bentley, D2P's faithful coordinator!  #1 Host Winery, Equinox Winery Team: Hannah S., Kim T., China P., and Elaina G. Dish: “Provencal Pies.” These upscale artisan pot-pies offered flavors of lemon chicken, with roasted garlic, and a swirled topping of brown butter mashed potatoes. Wine: 2001 Equinox Sparkling Blanc de Blanc, Santa Cruz Mountains. Pairing Highlights: Honey, apricot, and yeast notes from the Champagne-method sparkling-wine perfectly accented the buttery-rosemary crust, the earthy carrots and poultry, fresh lemon, and decadent mashed potatoes. As one taster said, “Chicken and bubbles go well together.” Destination: This dish took me to a farm-to-table dinner set in an apple orchard. Long, narrow farm tables are covered with white linens and jars of field flowers. Complete with hanging lights, and warm evening breezes. ---------------------------------------------------------------------  #2 Sones Winery Team: Natasha F., Jessie C., Alekzander M-N., and John B. Dish: Hamachi crudo with fresh citrus, avocado, and leche de tigre sauce. Wine: The“Hedgehog” is a blend of Torrantes and Sauvignon Blanc, California Pairing Highlights: The fresh, almost floral white wine set the stage for this clean-flavored dish. The compilation was a soothing orchestration of 9 plating elements. An attractive color palate greeted the eye. Destination: Appreciate this Californian-Asian inspired pairing in a metropolitan highrise—complete with a view of the city lights and night time stars. --------------------------------------------------------------  #3 Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard Team: Joseph R., Fatima D., Thomas G., and Jade B. Dish: Sopes de Carnitas de Pato con Mole Wine: 2015 Melange Rouge, Santa Cruz Mountains. Pairing Highlights: Thick, rich, and full of balanced flavors, the subtle chili and chocolate of the Mole paired well with the earthy duck. The acidity of the pastoral Melange wine rounded out the dish, giving the pairing cohesion. Destination: This is the dish to savor with friends during a midnight dinner tucked in a Spanish courtyard. -------------------------------------------------------------  #4 Quinta Cruz Wines Team: Conall M., Max G., Ismael A., and Julie P. Dish: Manchego and Almond Stuffed Squid Wine: 2016 Sauzao, Santa Cruz Mountains. Pairing Highlights: Tasters enjoyed pan-seared squid stuffed with Manchego cheese, garlic, tomatoes, and almonds, atop arugula leaves. The browned squid, the subtle crunch of the almonds and notes of creamy cheese played off each other with an affinity. Destination: Get your style on because this pairing would be perfect for a pop-up dinner at a home. Artists, musicians, writers, and food lovers would wax-on eloquently about this combination. ------------------------------------------------  #5 Storrs Winery: Team: Laura R., Alex A., Gabe A., and Damian F. Dish: Bunuelos de Bacalao with Chili/Lime Aioli Wine: 2017 Chardonnay, Santa Cruz Mountains Pairing Highlights: The salinity of the fish fritters, the light but full flavored Chardonnay, and the peppery arugula were an enticing flavor trio. The chili mayo gave this dish a powerful punch. Destination: This dish took me to a beach side cafe' on the Iberian Coast. The lapping water and salty sea air would add to this pairing. --------------------------------------------------------  #6 Bottle Jack Winery Team: Sean A., Michael G., Sarah C., and Anita L. Dish: Durham Ranch Braised Wild Boar with Porcini Polenta and Pickled Fennel Wine: 2016 Firenze Tuscan Blend, Santa Clara County Pairing Highlights: The alluring flavors of the wild boar and umami polenta tied the knot with the Firenze. The wine's dark cherry, acidic, earthy, and almost farmyard flavors guaranteed tasters would hold a fork in one hand, and a glass of wine in the other. Destination: This dish will transport you to a hidden French bistro. The type of place where the locals eat, and tourist hope to get reservations. --------------------------------------------------------  #7 Silver Mountain Vineyards Team: Susan C., Erin D., Natalie B., and Wednesday H. Dish: Grilled Ostrich Sausage with Potato Croquette and a Red Wine Gastrique Wine: 2012 Oscar's Wild Red blend, Santa Cruz Mountains Pairing Highlights: Simply put, if this team decides to market and sell their sausage, I'll be their first customer. The balanced flavors of herbs, hints of dried cherries, and Manchego cheese give a bit of richness to the lean sausage. Starchy potato and fresh greens round out this dish, while the Merlot in the wine-blend offers soft tannins and dark berry flavors. Destination: Picture yourself siting on the dining-deck of a snow-capped mountain resort. The blue sky, warm sun, and fresh air will whet your appetite for this arresting dish.  -----------------------------------------------  #8 Bartolo Wines Team: Konrad S., Fajah J., and Jennifer P. Dish: Braised Pork Belly with Green Garlic Puree, Cauliflower and Herb Sauteed Fava Beans. Wine: 2013 Grenache, Santa Clara Valley Pairing Highlights: This pairing is full of striking contrasts. The rich, smokey flavors of the pork belly. The green, grassy flavors of the garlic. The cruciferous, fresh cauliflower and fava beans. All these tastes met up with the rich, yet smooth, Grenache. Destination: Tuck into this pairing while at an Eastern European restaurant. From your seat, you can see the chef in the kitchen cooking and braising the pork belly. Outside are views of presidential palaces.  The 10th Annual D2P Awards.... Favorite Wine: 2001 Equinox Sparkling Blanc de Blanc, Santa Cruz Mountains Favorite Dish: Wild Boar People's Choice Awards for the Best Wine & Food Pairing (guest polls) 1st Sones Cellars and Hamachi crudo 2nd Bottle Jack Wines and Wild Boar 3rd Bortollo Wines and Braised Pork Belly The Judges Awards for the Best Wine & Food Pairing 1st Bottle Jack Wines and Wild Boar 2nd Bortollo Wines and Braised Pork Belly 3rd Sones Cellars and Hamachi crudo Professional and hospitable, the students' dishes were noteworthy! As one taster shared, “the Culinary programs of our colleges need our support.” To donate to the Cabrillo College Culinary, Hospitality and Wine Program, or to dine at the student-run Pinot Alto Restaurant, visit (Link.) --------- Until next year's D2P, Shondra Savadkohi For a behind the scences look at D2P and its origins, visit my post....  |
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