Passport Saturday, Nov 21, in the Santa Cruz Mountains

Passport in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Saturday, November 21, 2009
Local Wineries Kick Off the Holiday Season

Nearly all of the local Santa Cruz Mountain Wineries will celebrate the final Passport Day of 2009 on Saturday, November 21, from 11am til 5pm. Note: some wineries are open from noon til 5pm. For a complete list of wineries, and to purchase Passports, visit www.scmwa.com Passports are $40 and do not expire. They are good for complimentary tasting at all participating wineries, 4 times yearly. Get yours online at scmwa.com. (Call: 831-685-8463)

Highlights:

Restaurant James Randall, 303 North Santa Cruz Ave in Los Gatos, will host Big Basin Vineyards from 2pm til 5pm. Wine and scrumptious appetizer pairing available for $10.

Generosa Winery, 22649 Summit Road, will be open for their FINAL Passport event, from noon til 5pm. This gem of a winery, featuring the “Tuscan Wedding” blend, is closing its doors on Dec 19, so you are invited to come taste and buy what is already becoming a highly sought after collector’s item label. Taste what the buzz is all about! Enjoy bocce ball amidst a gorgeous redwood grove. Case sales, 30% off. (www.generosawines.com) Noon til 5pm.

Burrell School Vineyards, 24060 Summit Road, invites you to get ready for Thanksgiving with a sale on the 2005 Estate Pinot, and a Thanksgiving four-pack of “Teacher’s Pet” Chardonnay, Old School Cabernet, “Spring Break” Syrah and “Detention” Zinfandel for $89.

Loma Prieta Winery, at 26985 Loma Prieta Way, will feature two 2006 Merlot for $50, regularly $35 per bottle. Live music by guitarist, Mark Abdilla. This is the most amazing view in the mountains, with sweeping vistas of Monterey Bay and the Santa Cruz coastline. Come play bocce on top of the world and warm your hands by the fireplace, graced by the highly decorated “Deerly Departed” deerhead. (www.lomaprietawinery.com). 11am til 5pm Sat, noon til 5pm Sun.

Poetic Cellars, 5000 N Rodeo Gulch Drive in Soquel, will feature “Let Them Eat Cake,” with a uniquely decadent and delicious pairing of cakes by Santa Cruz Cake Company with Katy Lovell’s new releases, including the new 2008 Viognier ($22), along with her much anticipated 2007 Santa Cruz Mountains Regan Vineyard Pinot Noir (reg $35, on sale for $30). Enjoy the 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon and the new 2006 Syrah with a special selection of gourmet liquer cakes. These four wines are available for $89: something to please every palate for Thanksgiving. (www.poeticcellars.com) noon til 5pm.

Hunter Hill on Glen Haven in Soquel, welcomes you for Passport with buffalo chili and their selection of estate and Lodi-sourced wines, including their Rockin’Rhone blend, perfect for game. Looking to stock your cellar? Syrah and Zin on sale for $144 per case. (www.hunterhillwines.com)

Sarah’s Vineyard, on Hecker Pass in Gilroy, welcomes Passport tasters with a 3 for 2 special on these fine wines:
• 07 Marsanne [$22/btl, 3 for $44]
• 05 Merlot [$20/btl, 3 for $40]
• 05 Nuits d’Enfer [$15/btl, 3 for $30]
• 04 Syrah [$24/btl, 3 for $48]
• 06 Cadenza Supertuscan [$16/btl, 3 for $32]
Club members: pick up your amazing Pinot-packed club package! Bring a donation for Second Harvest Food Bank and they’ll waive the tasting fee. (www.sarahsvineyard.com)

Exclusive Passport Dinner at Restaurant James Randall, featuring the wines of Big Basin Vineyards. Fixed price, 3 courses, $65 plus tax & tip. Dinner is served beginning at 5:30pm. RSVP to 408-395-4441. 303 N. Santa Cruz Ave.

First Course
2007 Big Basin Vineyards Bald Mountain Pinot
Spinach Salad
with Smoky Bacon, Chopped Egg
and Dijon Vinaigrette

Second Course
2007 Big Basin Vineyards Fairview Ranch Road Syrah
Grilled Beef Tenderloin
with Broccolini, Potatoes Au Gratin
and a Green Peppercorn Demi

Third Course
2006 Big Basin Vineyards Rattlesnake Rock Estate Syrah
Chocolate Torte
with White Chocolate Ganache

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• Santa Cruz Mountains AVA ~ Terroir from an Expert ~ Dr. Mark Greenspan ~ Part 1 (wine-blog.org)
• Santa Cruz Mountains AVA ~ Terroir from an Expert ~ Dr. Mark Greenspan ~ Part 2 (wine-blog.org)