South Valley tempts with good wines in great settings
A particularly fabulous place to spend an afternoon in Gilroy is Calerrain, home of Geoff and Chantelle Mace, who have created an outdoor oasis in a dramatic pastoral setting that will have you relaxing in no time. Cows bellow in the background as you taste their barrel-fermented chardonnay and pinot noir from the Santa Lucia Highlands, plus a big-boned cabernet, Meritage and a vibrant malbec from Paicines. Bring a picnic, or go on a Saturday when they are making pizza. Reservations required.
Recently opened in Aptos is Charmant Cellars, created by Eugene and Julie Theron, who came to Silicon Valley from South Africa in 1989, disgusted by their country's apartheid policies. The descendants of Huguenots who fled France when Louis XIV revoked the religious freedom of Protestants, they continued their farming lifestyle in their new homeland. One of Eugene's distant relatives, Professor CJ Theron, was among those who propagated Pinotage, a cross between pinot noir and cinsault, which became South Africa's dominant varietal. Loma Prieta is the only winery in growing it in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Determined to get back to their farming roots, the Therons bought a beautiful vineyard property planted exclusively to pinot noir by Jim Schultze of Windy Oaks. With a bit of advice from longtime La Rochelle winemaker Tom Stutz, the Therons are producing excellent chardonnay from Tondré Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands, and two impressive estate pinot noirs.
Given the current situation in the Ukraine, you might be tempted to pick up a bottle of 2018 Lé Refugié pinot noir ($38), named in honor of all the refugees who have sought solace here. The 2018 estate pinot noir ($48) is complex and lovely in texture and acid, replete with raspberry, pomegranate, cherry, leather and Linzer torte. Tasting by appointment only. Open most Saturdays, 1-5 p.m. eugtheron@charmantvineyards.com
Lots of Silicon Valley wine lovers are big fans of visiting Murphys and Amador Valley for their abundant Italian varieties and zins. I just judged the second annual Foothill Wine Competition and wanted to report on the winners. Best White went to the 2021 Bella Grace Winery Vermentino, lovely and juicy, with Best Rosé going to the 2021 Noceto Rosato di Sangiovese, a brisk, playful sipper. Best Red of Show went to the 2018 Casino Mine Ranch Tempranillo, the second year in a row that a Tempranillo took top red. Among lots
Geoff and Chantelle Mace have created an outdoor oasis at Calerrain in Gilroy, a winery with a dramatic pastoral setting. of impressive zins, Shadow Ranch took Best of Class. Miraflores 2018 Estate Barbera earned the same honor in that class. Righteous Rhones included Holly's Hill “Rockbound” GSM and 2019 Sobon Syrah. The well-crafted 2018 Pleinair cabernet sauvignon will rival your favorite. All can be tasted at the Foothill Wine Festival on April 2 in Folsom. Tickets and lodging packages are available at www.foothillwinefest.com
Get tickets now for the SCMWA Grand Tasting at The Mountain Winery in Saratoga, on Sunday, April 24, 1-4 p.m., featuring many of our region's wineries. VIP tickets get you in at 12:30pm. Tickets are $60-$95 ($20 for designated drivers) at https:// winesofthesantacruzmountains.com/events
Get out and shop at the Santana Row Wine Spring Fling Wine Stroll March 31, 5-7 p.m., where you can taste wine from local favorites like Cinnabar, Lightpost, House Family, Kings Mountain Vineyards, Lago Lomita, Roudon-smith and Verde Vineyards. Visit new stores and old favorites. Tickets are $40 at Eventbrite.com
Laura Ness is on Instagram at @ hervineness.