FAMOUS WINES It seems our fine wineries are catching everybody’s eye, from the staff of Sunset magazine to the patrons of the busy complex of Kelly’s Westside facility. In the August issue of Sunset, a feature on a day trip to Felton gives the unoaked chardonnay by Ryan Beauregard a big shout-out (the tasting room, you’ll recall, is up in the boughs of Bonny Doon‘s Pine Flat plateau). Also touted is the sunny deck at Hallcrest Vineyards (at the base of Empire Grade in downtown Felton), home of some delightful varietals and the first certified organic wine label in the United States.
ART OF WINE Thanks to busy muralist Peter Tigler, the corrugated roll-front surface of Vine Hill‘s new tasting-room-in-progress has recently become much more interesting. The whimsical image of a wine barrel, painted in photo-realist style, shows full-size when the winery door is closed. When it’s open, the barrel shrinks. It should be simple to tell at a glance whether the tasting room is open or closed. Soon the Westside annex should be fully stocked with sensuous wines from the hand of winemaker Sal Godinez. Stay tuned.
WHAT’S IN STORRS? Much honored this year at the prestigious 2011 California State Fair, Pam and Steve Storrs have a right to be proud that their Storrs Winery 2007 Wildcat Ridge Pinot Noir was named Best Pinot Noir of the Great Bay Region, which encompasses the Santa Cruz Mountains, the Santa Clara Valley, Livermore Valley and Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Gold ribbons for “best of region” also went to three other wines made by the oeno-spouses, including Best Carignane, Best Gewurztraminer and Best Rhone Red of Region. Whew!
WINDY OAKS IN AN ANNIEGLASS Judy Schultze emailed me with the news that Windy Oaks estate wines—three pinots and a chardonnay—will be offered for tasting and sales at the Annieglass facility and shop in Watsonville every Friday–Sunday, 1-4pm, through Labor Day weekend. This is a terrific match-up of classy wines made in ultra-Burgundian style by Jim Schultze and unique glassware from the restless mind of Ann Morhauser. Annieglass is just off Highway One on the Riverside Exit, at 310 Harvest Drive, Watsonville. 831.761.2041.
FILLING STATION FIX Amber Turpin reminded me that Filling Station, soon to open on Mission Street, is her joint venture with fiance Dave Stimpson. It will specialize in “amazing coffee, homemade sodas and baked goods, while our friend Fran Grayson will serve up the savories from her food truck, The Truck Stop.” Look for these close culinary collaborators to be up and running in the near future.
Send tips about food, wine and new dining discoveries to Christina Waters at xtina@cruzio.com. Read her blog at http://christinawaters.com.
