If you’re looking for a good wine for a special dinner, Beauregard Vineyards has something superb—a 2016 Ben Lomond Mountain Zinfandel ($40). With its dark ruby color and a nose of ripe berries, including cherry and wild raspberry and floral aromas of rose petals, this is one terrific Zin.
“The rich palate boasts incredibly soft tannins and luscious wild berry fruit layers into wild herbs, fresh flowers and an earthy finish,” says winemaker Ryan Beauregard, who has mastered the art of winemaking. His talents are revealed in this robust red wine.
The vineyard where the grapes for this Zinfandel were grown was once an apple orchard, planted in the 1900s, and the sandy loam soil produces wines with good minerality and bold acidity. The vineyard—abandoned during Prohibition—came into the family when it was bought by Ryan’s great-grandfather Amos Beauregard in the 1940s.
Beauregard Vineyards, 10 Pine Flat Road, Santa Cruz. 831-425-7777. The Slow Coast Wine Bar, 450 Hwy. 1, Davenport. beauregardvineyards.com
Pop-Up Party for Aptos Vineyard’s New Releases
Sante Arcangeli Winery’s tasting room in Aptos Village will be hosting Aptos Vineyard for a pop-up tasting for their new releases: a 2020 Rosé of Pinot Noir and a 2020 Chardonnay. Wine club members will enjoy bites and complimentary tastings. Aptos Vineyard was started in the ’70s by the late Judge John Marlo but is now owned by James Baker and Tina Cacace. Sante Arcangeli owner John Benedetti is Aptos Vineyard’s winemaker. aptosvineyard.com.
Chardonnay Wine Cruises
Enjoy outstanding local wines and tasty food as you sail across the briny on Chardonnay Sailing Charters. Through October, a different winery is featured every Friday evening with complimentary hors d’oeuvres. Participating wineries through the end of July include Naumann (June 3), Bargetto (June 17), Roudon-Smith (June 24), Storrs (July 1), Silver Mountain (July 8), Roudon-Smith (July 15), Pelican Ranch (July 22) and Wrights Station (July 29). For reservations, visit chardonnay.com.
