.Armitage Wines

Pinot Noir 2021

One of the best Pinots I have tasted recently is made by expert winemaker Brandon Armitage. It’s a 2021 Pinot Noir from the estate’s Heart O’ The Mountain Vineyard.

This single clone Pommard Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot (about $65) is brimming with robust flavor. As with the 2020 bottling, the palate is silky smooth with rustic earthy tones and forward tannins. Bright cherry, red licorice and cinnamon toast are predominant flavors—complete with Pinot’s superb spice qualities and red fruit to the fore.

“The Heart O’ The Mountain estate vineyard is planted exclusively to Pinot Noir,” says Armitage on his website. “Sitting 1,500 feet above Monterey Bay, the cool nights and warm days create ideal growing conditions.”

Armitage closed his tasting room in Aptos Village at the end of June.

“It makes sense to taste my wines right where they’re made,” he says. And this happens to be on the old Alfred Hitchcock property in Scotts Valley. So every time you sample an Armitage estate wine, there’s a touch of history in every sip.

Surrounded by majestic redwoods in a stunning setting, tasting Armitage’s fine wines is an experience par excellence.

Tastings on Saturdays from noon to 4pm by reservation only. Armitage Wines, Scotts Valley, 831-708-2874. armitagewines.com

Vine to View Dinners at Chaminade Resort

This summer series of outdoor dinners starts with passed hors d’oeuvres followed by several courses of mouthwatering cuisine paired with fine wines.

Chaminade’s patios have panoramic vistas of the Monterey Bay—adding much to the experience of each event. Vine to View serves delicious food prepared by Executive Chef Avram Samuels in a beautiful al fresco setting.

The next dinner is 6pm Friday, Aug. 18 at Chaminade in Santa Cruz and will feature Sonoma-based Patz & Hall wines. For more info visit chaminade.com