As we head toward the festive season, it’s time to get some good wine to celebrate the holidays. Equinox’s Pinot Noir Sparkling Rosé would be a good bet.
We stopped by Equinox recently for a tasting of owner and winemaker Barry Jackson’s wines. Barry’s wife, Jennifer, poured an impressive 2019 Sparkling Rosé ($55) made in the Méthode Champenoise style. Chock-full of pizzazz and flavor, this is a sparkler par excellence.
Barry Jackson has made superb wines for years for his non-sparkling Bartolo wines and his Equinox bubblies. Good sparkling wines take time to produce, and Jackson never cuts corners.
The Jacksons’ tasting room is in the middle of all the action in the Swift Street Courtyard complex. Surrounded by other tasting rooms and opposite Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing, this is a go-to spot for some great libations.
Equinox Sparkling Wines, 334 Ingalls St., Santa Cruz, 831-471-8608; equinoxwine.com.
Scrumptious Food at the Cement Ship
Scrumptious Fish and Chips will be selling their award-winning food at the Cement Ship on Seacliff State Beach in Aptos, noon-6pm every Saturday and Sunday until the end of November. Enjoy delicious fish and chips, made by two Brits, and some very tasty Chicken Tikka Masala, a favorite food in Great Britain. It has now overtaken roast beef and Yorkshire pudding in popularity! scrumptiousfc.com.
Wine and Roses
Organized by the Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley, the annual Wine and Roses event raises funds to support better health and well-being for the people of the Pajaro Valley. Expect wine tastings by notable vintners, beer from local breweries, delicious hors d’oeuvres from local restaurants and great auction and raffle items.
Wine and Roses is Saturday, Nov. 5, 3-6pm at Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds (Crosetti Building). $100; $160/pair. pvhealthtrust.org.
