Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 39

A Wine Lover’s

Santa Cruz County

Paradise
growing regions in the United States.

The wine scene in Santa Cruz County is as inspired as its cuisine. And so,

it’s no surprise that area wineries and restaurants offer a variety of tasting opportunities. From Bonny Doon to Corralitos, oenophiles are raising a glass to the Santa Cruz Mountains Appellation region, one of the oldest wine An array of local restaurants offer wine and food pairings. For the perfect blend of wine and cuisine, stop by Capitola’s Shadowbrook restaurant during Winemaker Wednesdays. From October through April, sample wine in the lounge, meet the winemaker, and choose from specially priced wines. Soif Wine Bar and Restaurant in Downtown Santa Cruz features sumptuous pairings of food and wine from around the world in a hip, urban setting. At the Seascape Beach Resort’s Sanderlings restaurant in Aptos, Wednesday evening wine tasting includes local wine, tapas and live music. And for more delicious pairings, the Farm to Table dinner series at Chaminade Resort offers local wines paired with a five course dinner prepared with local, farm fresh ingredients by an award winning chef. Another way to sample wines of the Santa Cruz Mountains is at Vino Cruz, where a variety of tastings are offered on a daily basis. On the Santa Cruz Wharf, Vino Prima Wine Bar offers spectacular views of the Monterey Bay and California boutique wines to savor by the glass or just to taste. If you’re in the mood to celebrate, the family-friendly Scotts Valley Art & Wine Festival in August displays the work of local artists accompanied by wine, music, and children’s activities. In September, the Capitola Art & Wine Festival provides live entertainment, wine tasting and mouth-watering gourmet treats. An idyllic region, the Corralitos Wine Trail features four family-owned wineries, surrounded by redwood trees and apple orchards. And on the west side of Santa Cruz, a spirited courtyard is always brimming with something new to see or taste. This lively spot is home to a number of tasting rooms that make up Surf City Vintners, including Sones Cellars, Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyards and others. Nearby, Storrs Winery features delicious pinot noir, chardonnay, grenache and other selections. In Bonny Doon, a charming cabin houses the Beauregard Winery tasting room, where a flight of five wines is poured daily. Wineries in the Santa Cruz Mountains offer world-class wines and exhilarating views, all within close proximity to one another, including Burrell School Winery, Poetic Cellars and Loma Prieta Winery and others. In Soquel Village, Bargetto Winery, one of the oldest family-run wineries of the Santa Cruz Mountains, has been producing hand-crafted wine for nearly a century, including delicious Santa Cruz Mountain varietals. Up the road is Hunter Hill Vineyard and Winery. Whether your love of wine takes you to a picturesque tasting room, an historic eatery, or a modern downtown bistro, Santa Cruz County is the idyllic destination for oenophiles everywhere. For a list of wineries, see page 72. Cheers!

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For a list oF wineries, see page 72.

Photo: Paul Schraub

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Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012