I visited the Capitola Mall recently to check out the newly launched Third Fridays Walking Art Tour, and was surprised to find an impressive assortment of artwork from local artists.
The mall was filled with people having a very colorful time, and Dawn Teall of the Regional Artisans Association, who is instrumental in organizing Third Fridays, was thrilled with the turnout.
For a minimal fee, one can do a bit of wine tasting as well at these events. Les Wright from 37th Parallel Winery was there with his fine wines, and I bought a bottle to take along to a friend’s house for dinner.
Five of us made short work of Wright’s 2012 Sangiovese ($25) over a meal of pasta and lobster salad. The wine’s aromatic nuances of herbs, plus flavors of cherries, licorice and fruity-strawberry-plum, are added deliciousness to this easy-drinking red wine.
“37th Parallel exists because we want to make great wine,” says Wright. “We have never wanted to own a vineyard, but want to be free to locate and develop relationships with growers of great fruit in different appellations in California. We strive to stay true to the varietal.”
Right now, 37th Parallel, located in Scotts Valley, is having a sale on all their wines—and if they’re sold out of the Sangiovese, you can get some on their next release.
37th Parallel is set to do a winemaker’s dinner at Lago di Como at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 29. The restaurant is at 21490 East Cliff Drive, in Santa Cruz—and the six-course dinner, paired with six different wines, is up on their website at lagodicomoristorante.com.
Capitola Mall’s next Walking Art Tour is from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, April 17 when 37th Parallel will be pouring again. Info at 37th-parallel.com.
Dare to Pair
The sixth annual Dare to Pair Food & Wine Competition is on April 26, and Cabrillo College’s culinary students have teamed up with 12 wineries to create delicious dishes for you to savor as you pair each one with a special wine. As one of the judges for the event, I’m looking forward to tasting imaginative food and excellent wines from Surf City Vintners. But it’s always hard to decide who takes home the grand prize for the Best Pairing. The event is noon to 5 p.m., Sunday, April 26 in the Surf City Vintners complex at 334 Ingalls St., Santa Cruz. Food and wine tasting is from noon to 3 p.m.; 2:30-5 p.m. is an after-party with music by Depot Dog; and 4:30 p.m. is the awards ceremony. Tickets are $60 per person. For info and to purchase tickets visit daretopair.org or call 435-3000.
Passport Event
Sante Arcangeli Family Wines will be pouring at Cantine in Aptos Village for Passport on Saturday, April 18. For info on Passport visit scmwa.com.
