The next time you head to Chaminade Resort & Spa to hang out with friends over a glass of wine on their beautiful patio—which is definitely one of the best spots in town, with its magnificent panorama of the Monterey Bay—try Dancing Creek Winery’s 2009 Merlot.
I was there recently with friends and we all enjoyed this well-made wine, along with a few munchies to go with it. Good-quality Merlot partners well with food, and this one hit the spot with its rich flavors and red-fruit aromas, made with grapes harvested from the Santa Cruz Mountains. It sells for $34 at Chaminade and $29 at the winery.
“This is a wine that’s so vibrant and alive that it might make you want to dance!” say winery owners Jim and Robin Boyle. “Lovely aromas of tangy cherries mingle with a cupboard of baking spices to lure you in. Then you dive deeply into rich flavors of briary blackberry, roasted chestnuts, chervil, and black olive tapenade, with a hint of capers.” Sound good? Then head out to the Boyles’ winery to try some. You will get to taste their other outstanding wines such as Syrah and Pinot—and don’t miss the Late for the Dance Zinfandel, a robust late-harvest after-dinner drink.
Dancing Creek Winery, 4363 Branciforte Drive, Santa Cruz, 408-497-7753, dancingcreekwinery.com. The Boyles’ tasting room is very close to the famous Mystery Spot, and open every third Saturday of the month from noon to 5 p.m. They will be open for Passport Day on Saturday, July 16.
Wine Tasting & Food Pairing
Wargin Wines in Watsonville is hosting a Sangiovese 101 event with chef Tanya DeCell preparing some delicious food. Taste Sangiovese wines from Italy and California and compare the differences. A three-course tasting with local seasonal ingredients will highlight the wine flight. The price of $40 per person includes wine, food and a recipe to take home. The event is 2-4 p.m. Sunday, July 17 and advance registration is requested.
warginwines.com, 888-247-8333. Wargin Wines is at 11 Hangar Way, Watsonville, 531-8108. They also have a tasting room at 5015 Soquel Drive, Soquel.
