When you see the word “pinot noir,” you immediately think of a red wine. But blanc de pinot noir has a soft blush color.
At a spring tasting, Pelican Ranch Winery unveiled an impressive 2023 Blanc De Pinot Noir ($30)—with grapes from Highlands Vineyard in Carmel Valley.
“We rarely make a Blanc De Pinot,” says Phil Crews, owner/winemaker at Pelican Ranch. “But all was lined up for this opportunity.”
And Crews is not one to miss the chance of creating something special. With its definitive white pinot style, it has “a tasty mix of muted cherry, baked apple and fresh strawberry.”
Another wine released on the same day in spring is a 2023 Rosé of Pinot Noir ($40)—made with grapes from Green Valley Road Vineyard in the Santa Cruz Mountains. This is another delicate blush wine, and it comes with “luscious fruit of berry and rose petals resulting in complex flavors.”
Both these wines (which come with screw caps) are worth a trip to Pelican’s tasting room—a bucolic setting surrounded by redwoods. And pizza is usually available, often made by Phil’s wife, Peggy Crews. They make a fine team! Or take your own picnic. Pelican Ranch is a welcoming place.
Pelican Ranch Winery, 2364 Bean Creek Road, Scotts Valley, 831-332-5359, pelicanranch.com.
Olympian Menu
The Jack O’Neill Restaurant & Lounge in the Dream Inn is doing a special four-course tasting menu as a tribute to the 2024 Olympic Games. Chef Gus Trejo is utilizing French cooking techniques to prepare the most sustainable local resources. The mainly plant-based Olympian Menu is available nightly until the end of August. Cost is $75. 175 West Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz. Visit jackoneillrestaurant.com for info.
