Regale Winery in the Santa Cruz Mountains is among many local wineries offering discounts and free shipping on retail purchases in the wake of the closure of California’s wine tasting rooms to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus. (Photo by Anne Gelhaus)
The Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association is staging its popular dinner series at new locations this year, including Regan Vineyards, Regale and Silver Mountain. Each evening features a multicourse food pairing with wines from old favorites and new discoveries.
Friday, March 31, 5p.m.—Elevated Wines of the Santa Cruz Mountains: Brutta’s contemporary Italian cuisine at Regale Winery, featuring wines from Muns Vineyard, Burrell School, Wrights Station Winery, Gali Vineyards, Roberts Ranch Vineyards and Regale Winery. $175
Wednesday, May 17, 5 p.m.—Wines of Montebello Road: A four-course winemaker dinner by Brad Briske and HOME paired with the iconic wines of Ridge Vineyards. The wine reception features wineries of Montebello Road and Saratoga. $225
Sunday, June 25—Distinct Pinot Noirs of the Santa Cruz Mountains: The cuisine of Brad Briske and HOME featuring wineries of the Santa Cruz Mountains pouring pinot noir at Regan Vineyards Winery estate in Corralitos. $175
Friday, July 14—Midsummer Night’s Dinner: Showcasing the vineyards nestled in the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains with the cuisine of Oak & Rye. Chef Ross Hanson will pair his seasonal fare alongside some notable wines. $175
Saturday, Aug. 19—Mountain to Sea: Celebrate the local bounty from earth and sea at a wine dinner at Madson Wines tasting room in Santa Cruz. Cuisine by Brutta paired with Santa Cruz Mountain wines including new releases and award winners. $175
Friday, Sept. 8—Into the Fog: Taste wines from the northern part of the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, where wind and fog play an outsize role in shaping wine’s personality. Tasting salon and winemaker dinner at Thomas Fogarty Winery featuring the cuisine of Chef Scott Cooper of Le Papillon. $185
Nov. 4—Premier Cruz: An exclusive tasting of cabernet sauvignon from the Santa Cruz Mountains, featuring 16 producers. Tickets are $195 for dinner and the salon, and $65 for the salon alone.
Also on the association’s calendar is the Grand Tasting at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga on Sunday, April 23, 12:30-4 p.m. $75-140.
Purchase all event tickets at https://winesofthesantacruzmountains.com/events. Wines of the Santa Cruz Mountains club members receive a 15% discount.
Wine auction
Guglielmo Winery hosts the annual Santa Clara Valley Wine Auction March 25, presented by the Morgan Hill Community Foundation and featuring the cuisine of local chefs and wines from the area’s vineyards. VIP admission is at 5 p.m., general at 6 p.m. Tickets are $85-$125 at https://visitmorganhill.org/santaclaravalleywineauction.
Among this year’s auction items are a 14k diamond pendant from Jewel Box Morgan Hill, a seven-day Mexico trip donated by Miramar Vineyards, a football helmet signed by Joe Montana, a foursome golf round at Cinnabar Hills with two golf carts, and a VIP tasting with winemaker Meghan Zobeck at Burgess Winery in Napa.
Originally published at Laura Ness, Correspondent