A gorgeous piece of property, tasting room and vineyards lie up Redwood Retreat Road in Gilroy: Martin Ranch. It’s always a joy to visit Dan and Thérèse Martin—they are happy, ebullient people who make everybody feel welcome. And their wines are exceptional, so a wine-tasting at Martin Ranch is always a rewarding experience.
Meeting up with some friends, we crack open a bottle of Pinot Noir 2012 Thérèse Vineyards Santa Cruz Mountains – Lester Family Vineyards. A stunning Pinot, this one, packed with gorgeous flavors that will make you want to drink it over and over.
“The wine’s garnet color shows off a real gem,” say the Martins. “Its bright raspberry spice up front moves into a silky vanilla middle palate with a seductive, lingering oak finish.” But I love the wine’s notes of leather and spice, and the overall earthiness of this superb Pinot ($47). When the grapes come from Lester Family Vineyards, you know you’re onto something good.
Martin Ranch Winery, 6675 Redwood Retreat Road, Gilroy, 408-842-9197, martinranchwinery.com. Open every first and third weekend of the month from noon to 5 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Nourishing Generations Fundraiser
Nourishing Generations, a local Santa Cruz nonprofit, announces a fundraising party to celebrate bringing much-needed professional nutrition, cooking, and movement classes to kids, teens and adults in our community. The fundraiser will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1 at Hale O’Hana, 2599 Soquel San Jose Road in Soquel. There will be delicious food, fine wine, a silent auction, and live music by Eric Morrison and the Mysteries. To purchase tickets visit nourishggenerations.org.
Bonny Doon Vineyard Day of the Doon Dinner
Bonny Doon Vineyard will be celebrating in great style at their next al fresco dinner at Popelouchum—winemaker Randall Grahm’s property in San Juan Bautista. Grahm promises “a magical late afternoon and evening affair” with a guided tour of the Popelouchum estate and partaking of library wine bottlings. Food will be prepared by chef Alexander Ong and the event is 4-8:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15. Tickets are $140 for this multi-course feast. Visit bonnydoonvineyard.com for more info.
