Taste wines of the Santa Cruz Mountains at Saratoga event
Taste the best wines from the Santa Cruz Mountains, both past and present, at the Grand Tasting on Sunday at the Mountain Winery. This year's lineup features wineries that have not participated in this event before, including David Bruce, Mccarthy, Mchenry and Vidovich. VIP wristbands grant all-day access to the VIP lounge, with fare by Chef Ross Hanson of Oak & Rye and Santa Cruz-based caterer Kirsten Ponza, with access to the 15 + wineries that are pouring their sparkling wines and rosés.
Upgrade to the library tasting and be treated to older vintages from the libraries of Big Basin Vineyards, Cooper-garrod Vineyards at Garrod Farms, House Family Vineyards, Kathryn Kennedy, Kings Mountain, Mount Eden, Muns, Silver Mountain,
Thomas Fogarty Winery and Ridge. VIPS also get early entry and a first look at the silent auction, which will be held in the Overlook Room, wines from Equinox, Mount Eden, Kathryn Kennedy and Ridge will be pouring. For an auction preview, visit https:// fly.causepilot.com/wines-ofscm/grand-tasting-2024.
Among the new wines debuting are Beauregard Vineyards 2021 cabernet sauvignon from Beauregard Ranch, Big Basin Vineyards 2021 Estate Old Corral Pinot, 2021 Ascona Pinot Noir and 2019 Estate Rattlesnake Syrah, Charmant Vineyards 2020 Juliette's Block Pinot Noir, Gali Vineyards 2023 chardonnay (made by winemaker Eric Baugher, formerly of Ridge), Kings Mountain Vineyards 2023 Boathouse Pinot Noir Rose (made by Nathan Kandler), Madson Wines 2022 Ascona Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard 2019 Las Nietas Pinot Noir, 2021 Zayante Zinfandel and 2019
Luchessi Cabernet, and Sante Arcangeli 2022 Coast Grade Pinot Noir.
For tickets, visit https:// winesofthesantacruzmountains.com/events/grandwinetasting.
The Mountain Winery is undoubtedly one of the iconic venues of our region, existing in tandem with the historic winery built by
Paul Masson in 1878. Dave House, along with Mountain Winery co-owner Bill Hirschman, significantly upgraded the facility to accommodate larger crowds for the venue's concert series and expanded the conference and meeting facilities.
Looking to the future, Chateau Masson LLC has recently proposed building an 80-room hotel on the site, along with a clubhouse and 230 units of housing. Hirschman has allegedly proposed 25 housing units on Pierce Road below the winery as well. Rumor also has it that House has proposed an 80-unit housing complex at nearby Chadwick Court.
David Bruce Winery recently held a 60th Anniversary Open House, inviting people on the winery's mailing list to a preview of what might be upcoming. A mix of newer and library wines were poured, with wines from the estate vineyard, as well as other regional sources. Highlights were the 2022 Santa Barbara Chardonnay with its golden apple, honeycomb and lemon, and the 2019 Estate Chardonnay, a truly memorable wine, with its blend of white peach and lemon curd on a base of brioche. The 2005 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is still showing truly lovely structure, with sandalwood and mellowed red fruit, while the 2005 Russian River Pinot Noir has oodles of soft ripe secondary fruit. According to new sales and hospitality manager Kristie Gallo, David Bruce will be holding more events for members in the future. They are open Thursdaymonday, 11 a.m.4 p.m. Picnic tables may be reserved in advance.
Congratulations to J.lohr for 50 years in the wine business in 2024. Founder Jerry Lohr, who still lives in Saratoga, recently shared that their Hilltop Cabernet is among their most awarded wines ever; the 2021 was awarded a platinum medal at the 2024 Monterey Wine Competition. J. Lohr just rolled out a stunning new blossom-themed label for its 2022 J. Lohr Estates Riverstone Chardonnay. Best of all, it sports an easy-to-enjoy screwcap.
Kudos also go to Los-gatos-based Perrucci Family Vineyard for taking a platinum for their 2020 Estate Sangiovese in the same competition.