I was with a group of 12 for the Santa Cruz Fly Fishermen’s Wild-Caught Salmon Feed recently, held at the Peace United Church hall in Santa Cruz. The Fly Fishermen provided sodas and water, but we had to bring along our own alcohol—an opportunity to share Bargetto Winery’s 2014 Regan Vineyards Chardonnay ($24) with friends.
A lovely wine with a light straw-yellow hue, this Chard has a good balance of minerals and fully developed fruit flavors. But with fruit coming from Regan Vineyards, Bargetto Winery’s carefully tilled land in Corralitos, where bright sunny days ripen grapes to perfection, a worthy Chardonnay is to be expected. Then there’s talented winemaker Olivia Teutschel to factor into the mix. Working at Bargetto since 2012, and as head winemaker since 2014, Teutschel is turning out some impressive juice—the Regan Vineyards Chardonnay being no exception.
As we all taste the different wines we have brought, our friends love the flexible Bargetto Chardonnay, which pairs so well with the succulent wild-caught salmon. Food is prepared by Jozseph Schultz, of India Joze fame—one of Santa Cruz’s best-known chefs—whose innovative cuisine is guaranteed to be tasty.
Bargetto puts on a multitude of events throughout the year, and right now its Music in the Cellars events take place on Thursdays, through the end of March. There is no cover charge and Bargetto wine is available for purchase by the glass. Food is also available for purchase.
Bargetto Winery, 3535 N. Main St., Soquel, 475-2258. bargetto.com.
Roudon-Smith Winery
Roudon-Smith had a good run in this year’s San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition—winning two golds and a couple of bronzes. Right now, winery owner Al Drewke has things on hold as he “works on options to open a satellite tasting room.” Visit roudonsmith.com for more info.
